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The Phoenix Symphony Performs the Music of John Williams in "Big Screen Legends"
Pops Weekend Concerts Feature Celebrated Scores from Hollywood's Blockbuster Movies
PHOENIX - Acclaimed conductor and Library of Congress scholar Loras John Schissel leads The Phoenix Symphony in "Big Screen Legends Featuring the Music of John Williams" May 9-10. The program features the memorable theme music from such blockbuster hits as E.T., Harry Potter, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Star Wars, as well as selections from other classic film scores. The Friday and Saturday evening concerts, proudly sponsored by APS, both begin at 8 p.m. at Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix.
Mr. Schissel created "Big Screen Legends" to feature the music of audience favorite and pop culture icon John Williams. The recipient of five Academy Awards, numerous Golden Globes and Grammy awards, and the 2004 Kennedy Center Honors, John Williams is one of the musical giants of our time. Also on the program are several of Williams' contemporaries, as well as music from Richard Rodgers' Carousel and Franz Waxman's classic score from Prince Valiant, offering movie music lovers a whirlwind tour through the highlights of film music.
Tickets to hear "Big Screen Legends" range from $25-$74, and can be purchased by calling the Phoenix Symphony Box Office at 602.495.1999 or by visiting www.phoenixsymphony.org.
This weekend of concerts is the final concert in the Pops Series during The Phoenix Symphony's 2007-08 Season. The Phoenix Symphony has announced its new 2008-09 Season, including such Pops highlights as Celtic fiddler Natalie MacMaster and Doc Severinsen's return to The Phoenix Symphony. Call the Phoenix Symphony Box Office at 602.495.1999 for more information.
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About Loras John Schissel: A senior musicologist at the Library of Congress, Loras John Schissel has traveled throughout North America, Europe and Asia leading a broad range of ensembles and serves as music director of the Blossom Festival Band. Mr. Schissel is also the founder and music director of the Arlington-based Virginia Grand Military Band. As a composer and orchestrator, he has created an extensive catalogue for more than 400 works for orchestra and symphonic wind band, and as a musicologist is considered a leading authority on the music of Percy Grainger, Aaron Copland, Roger Sessions and Serge Koussevitzky. Co-author of The Complete Literary and Musical Works of John Philip Sousa with Paul E. Bierley, Mr. Schissel appeared in the award-winning PBS documentary "If You Knew Sousa" for the American Experience series. Mr. Schissel studied brass instruments and conducting with Carlton Stewart, Frederick Fennell and John Paynter.
About The Phoenix Symphony: Celebrating its 60th Anniversary Season, The Phoenix Symphony has been proudly serving the citizens of the Phoenix metropolitan area and Arizona since 1947. What began as an occasional group of musicians performing a handful of concerts each year (in a city of fewer than 100,000 people) today serves more than 300,000 people annually, with 275 concerts and presentations throughout the greater Phoenix area and beyond.
Under the artistic leadership of Michael Christie as the Virginia G. Piper Music Director and administrative leadership of President Maryellen H. Gleason, the orchestra is overseen by the non-profit Phoenix Symphony Association under Board Chairman Ed Wolf.
The 76-member Phoenix Symphony presents an annual season from September through the beginning of June, featuring full-length classical and pops concerts at SymÂphony Hall in downtown Phoenix, in Scottsdale, in Prescott, and throughout central Arizona. The Symphony performs for more than 50,000 students and children, helping to introduce music to new generations through a variety of education and youth-engagement programs.
BIG SCREEN LEGENDS FEATURING THE MUSIC OF JOHN WILLIAMS Pops Concert No. 7
May 9 - Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. May 10 - Saturday evening at 8:00 p.m. Symphony Hall
THE PHOENIX SYMPHONY
Loras John Schissel, conductor
The golden sounds of the Silver Screen come to life in this program created by acclaimed conductor and historian Loras John Schissel. With a gallant salute to John Williams and the battle-cry composers who came before him, you'll hear music from Prince Valiant, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, Harry Potter, and, of course, Star Wars!
The Phoenix Symphony Pops Series is sponsored by APS.
TICKETS: $25, $35, $45, $54, $64, $74
--------------------------------------------------------- The Phoenix Symphony's 2007-08 Media Sponsors are The Arizona Republic and KAET.
