Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 7pm at The Presbyterian Church in Westfield -- Savor the silver screen's final silent masterpiece - swashbuckling musketeers and more - as Westfield Symphony Orchestra celebrates Halloween by bringing to life, in glorious symphonic technicolor, the original 1929 movie The Iron Mask starring Douglas Fairbanks.

With split-second timing and precision, more than 50 WSO musicians will perform LIVE a magnificent soundtrack by renowned composer Carl Davis as the original classic movie – a stirring story of, swordsmanship, deception, romance, drama, violence, humor, and grandiose glory that more than stands the test of time - is projected above the orchestra and in full view of the audience.

Musical giants, goblins and flying warrior women will round off the Halloween festivities as WSO presents Monsters from "The Ring" a selection of orchestral excerpts from Wagner's Ring Cycle.

A free pre-concert lecture, an informative, entertaining and an engaging way to learn about the movie, music and music makers before the concert will be conducted by Dr Barbara Thomson in Presbyterian Church Chapel at 6pm.

HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTESTS for adults and kids.

FIRST PRIZE $200 -- wear your costume! Judging at intermission.

 

For tickets and information, visit http://westfieldsymphony.org/

by Millicent K. Brody, Sunday, September 11 2011 for The Alternative Press

 

 

Under the guidance of Music Director David Wroe, the Westfield Symphony Orchestra opened their 29th Season with a salute to our brave men and women who lost their lives, and limbs on September 11th.

 

With a rousing salute to America the Brave, and commemorating the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, the sold-out audience at The Presbyterian Church in Westfield rose to sing Our National Anthem.  Then Kimberly Benou, a Trustee of Westfield United Fund, read a meditational text before the Orchestra presented ‘Fanfare for the Common Man’ by Aaron Copeland.

 

Mark Felder, President of the Westfield Symphony Orchestra Board of Trustees, announced that “a portion of ticket sales would go directly to benefit the Westfield United Fund’s September 11th Scholarship Fund, which has been set up to grant educational scholarships to Westfield students in need, who have lost a parent and plan to attend college.”

 

Westfield Mayor Andy Skibitsky read the second meditational text before the Orchestra played ‘Adagio for Strings’. A rousing cheer from the audience was then followed by Dylan Glasser, who presented the third meditational text and the audience heard ‘Lenore Overture No. 3 Op. 72’ by Ludwig von Beethoven.

 

A select group of students from choirs in Westfield Middle and High School sang God Bless America by Irving Berlin, then Director David Wroe invited the audience to join in song. It was truly an emotional moment, as folks recalled tragic memories of that dreadful day.

The final meditational text was read by Richard Bagger, Chief of Staff to Governor Chris Christie.  David Wroe then introduced Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 in E Minor “From the New World.”

 

The audience stood as one and offered a standing ovation. Truly, it was a memorable event for the entire evening was a tribute to America and its many heroes.

www.westfieldsymphonyorchestra.org

 

TEATRO GRATTACIELO
2011 Opera in concert
LOVE LOST - LOVE WON
An Operatic Double Bill with
Westfield Symphony Orchestra
conductor David Wroe 

 

IL RE by Umberto Giordano (1929)

I COMPAGNACCI by Primo Riccitelli (1923)

Tuesday | May 24, 2011 | 8 PM

Rose Theatre | Frederick P. Rose Hall
Lincoln Center | Broadway at 60th St. | NYC

 

Tickets $75-50-25-15

Box Office: Broadway at 60th, Ground Floor
www.jalc.org
212-721-6500

Westfield NJ, April 28, 2011 -- Prepare to be transported on Saturday, May 14th at 8PM, at the Presbyterian Church in Westfield, as the Westfield Symphony Orchestra presents To Russia and beyond with Love, a grand season finale featuring monumental favorites of the classical music repertoire.

 

Tzars meet the Hapsburgs as WSO brings together two great composers whose works are representative not only of giant European dynasties in their death throes, but also, perhaps, of the over-ripe and soon to be toppled Romantic era of classical music itself.

 

The concert opens with the Allegro Moderato from Austrian Bruckner’s Symphony No. 7, a magnificent and deeply spiritual work, the grandeur of which is rivaled only by the Gothic cathedrals in which the composer worked as an organist. The performance will also include a unique examination by Maestro Wroe, with the aid of the whole orchestra, of Brucker’s dramatic compositional techniques and use of melody, harmony and other musical elements.

 

The evening’s exciting finale continues with the timeless beauty of one of Tchaikovsky’s best-loved and most heartfelt works, the massive Symphony No. 5. Composed at the apex of the Romantic era of classical music, its noble passion, gut-grabbing intensity and beautiful melodies have captivated audiences for over a century.

 

 “I am thrilled to be ending the season on such an orchestral high note”, commented Maestro David Wroe, leader of the fully professional WSO. “Tchaikovsky and Bruckner are both outstanding Romantic symphonists and we will present them side-by-side in fabulous contrast – Bruckner, the devout and passionate organist meets Tchaikovsky, the darling of Russian High Society!”

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets  ($25-$70) may be purchased directly from the WSO office (224 E. Broad Street) or by calling the box office at 908 232 9400. Tickets are also available (for cash or check) at The Town Bookstore in Westfield and Martin Jewelers in Cranford.

 

Special offer: All students K-12 $10. This offer is part of WSO's ongoing effort to bring the thrill of the live concert experience to young music enthusiasts by making it more accessible and affordable.

 

For further information go to www.westfieldsymphony.org or visit WSO on Facebook.  

The Friends of Westfield Symphony Orchestra presents

A TOUR OF
NOTABLE HOMES 

** 5 Outstanding Residences in Westfield,
Summit and Berkeley Heights

** Basket Raffle and Plant Sale
** Musical Interludes and Refreshments
** Door Prizes

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Homes Open 10am - 4pm

Tickets: $30 in advance ($35 day of)

For more information, visit www.westfieldsymphony.org