Sault Symphony Kaleidoscope Concert

The Sault Symphony will visit the Soo Theatre on September 28 in a concert that showcases the artistic accomplishments of the Soo Theatre over the years by presenting its season opener, Orchestral Kaleidoscope, at 8:00 p.m. The Sault Symphony has presented the Kaleidoscope type of concert for many years.  While Kaleidoscope concerts generally feature musical variety in terms of style or genre, this concert is a special event, which features selections from operas and musical theater performances that have been presented on the Soo Theatre stage over the course of its eight seasons.
   
The Sault Symphony is a cross-national group with members from both sides of the St. Mary’s River; in recent years the symphony roster has been almost equally populated with Canadian and American players. As noted on the Symphony’s website, “The Sault Symphony Orchestra is a volunteer orchestra comprised of many of the most talented and trained musicians in the Algoma District and Eastern Upper Peninsula. Truly an international orchestra, the SSO has been performing in the area for 38 years. Led by musical director and conductor, Dr. John Wilkinson, the Sault Symphony Orchestra musicians continues to challenge themselves and enchant audiences with every performance they achieve (saultsymphony.com).”

The Orchestral Kaleidoscope concert will feature excerpts, selections and medleys from Broadway favorites, Oliver!, Guys and Dolls, and Fiddler on the Roof; and overtures from the popular operas, Cosi fan Tutti, The Magic Flute, Die Fledermaus and Hansel and Gretel. An added point of interest will be provided by Tom Ewing, the Soo Theatre’s resident photographer, as photographs and images from the various local productions will be displayed during the performance of the musical selections. One piece outside of the theme of the concert is the beautiful and popular “Gabriel’s Oboe”, performed by Sault Symphony first oboe Cathy Wilkinson, accompanied by string orchestra. Ms. Wilkinson has played the oboe for the Soo Theatre’s summer shows for all eight seasons.

The Sault Symphony and the Soo Theatre have always had a close and mutually supportive relationship, which is evident in the fact that much of the Soo Theatre’s music faculty are also symphony musicians, and many of the Sault Symphony players have been involved in the productions of the Soo Theatre’s operas and musicals. In this concert, the symphony will acknowledge the growing string education programs of the theatre by featuring a number that will be played by the Soo Theatre’s Combined Youth Orchestra. As Dr. John Wilkinson comments; “We are very excited about the opportunity to perform in the Soo Theatre to take advantage of the fine acoustics of the theatre and to have new, young players from the Soo Theatre orchestra program play with the Symphony.”

Artistic Director of the Soo Theatre Project and founder of the opera program, Karen Hughes Beacom adds, “We are delighted to have the Sault Symphony here on our stage in its official capacity. It is an honor to have the symphony ‘pay homage’ to the music from our show history. It will be a fabulous trip down memory lane and provides for us a moment to sit back, relax and revel in what these fine musicians have been able to share with our community for so many years now… and many more to come!”

So, come to the Symphony concert on September 28, on the Soo Theatre stage. By doing so, you’ll be supporting excellence in the arts and its future in our communities. You may even recognize someone you know, captured in the photo-retrospective. Tickets will be available at the door, and in advance at the Soo Theatre and Co-Ed Flowers. For more information please visit the websites: www.saultsymphony.com and www.sootheatre.org.