by: JAMES D. WATTS JR. World Scene Writer
10/5/2007
Thirty years ago, it was an attempt to generate a little more public interest and support in the local orchestra.
Twenty years ago, it was a much-anticipated Tulsa tradition that attracted audiences of almost 20,000 to the grassy expanses of Southern Hills Country Club.
Seven years ago, it disappeared – followed soon after by the orchestra that started it.
Now, the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra is reviving Symphony at Sunset, hoping to establish anew this tradition of an evening of light classical music under the twilight autumn skies.
The event will take place Sunday at Tulsa Country Club, 701 N. Union Avenue. The Tulsa Youth Symphony will begin performing at 5:15 p.m., with the Tulsa Symphony under the direction of James Bagwell playing at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $10 per person, with children under 12 free. Tickets will be available at the gate, or in advance at the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra offices, 111 E. First St.
“So many people have fond memories about Symphony at Sunset,” said Pattie Bowman, a member of the Tulsa Symphony managerial team. “I had been involved with the old Tulsa Philharmonic, that started Symphony at Sunset. And when the Tulsa Symphony started up, we began talking about doing something similar.”
The Southside Rotary Club is co-sponsoring the event.
Proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships will benefit Springdale Elementary School, which Southside Rotary sponsors, as well as helping the Tulsa Symphony fund its own educational and operational programs.
“Randy Sullivan, who is a member of our board, is also a member of Southeast Rotary and the Tulsa Country Club,” Bowman said. “He’s done a great deal to help us realize this event.
“And the Tulsa Country Club could not be a better spot for an evening like this, with the Tulsa skyline as our backdrop,” she said.
Bagwell, music director for Light Opera Oklahoma and conductor of Tulsa Symphony’s concerts in its debut season, will lead the orchestra in a program that will blend light classical pieces with movie and Broadway tunes.
Among the music to be performed is a suite from John Williams’ scores for the “Harry Potter” movies, a medley of songs from the musical “Oklahoma!,” Dvorak’s Slavonic Dances, selections from Handel’s “Water Music,” and some of Percy Grainger’s pieces inspired by English folk songs.
“We’ll have a flyover by pilots from our Air Force reserve,” Bowman said, “and we’ll end the evening with Sousa’s ‘The Stars and Stripes Forever’ and the 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky, accompanying a fireworks display by Stellar Fireworks.”
Parking will be available on the campus of Oklahoma State University-Tulsa, with complimentary shuttle service to and from the Tulsa Country Club.
Bowman said patrons to Symphony at Sunset are encouraged to bring picnic dinners, blankets and lawn chairs.
“The only restriction is that people cannot bring alcoholic beverages onto the club grounds,” Bowman said. “Beer and wine will be available for purchase at the site, along with soft drinks and some food, like pizza and sandwiches.”
Sponsorships for the event, ranging from $600 to $10,000, are also still available. For more information, call the Tulsa Symphony at 584-3645.
Associate Images: Kathy Rad (left), Phillip Wachowski, Sheri Scales-Neubauer and Tim McFadden of the Tulsa Symphony. |
Copyright © 2007, World Publishing Co. All rights reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment