NC Symphony Pairs Music with Fireworks, Contests, Prizes and Family Fun

The North Carolina Symphony invites music lovers of all ages to put their best boot forward for a swashbuckling fun time at the Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series. Buccaneers, freebooters, privateers and scalawags can all raise a glass to a family-friendly concert extravaganza, "Pirates!" at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Saturday, July 9, at 7:30 p.M. Gates open at 5:00 p.m. Children 12 and under are free.

Maestro William Henry Curry leads the orchestra in a lineup packed bow to stern with music from The Pirates of Penzance, Hook, Peter Pan, Captain Blood, The Flying Dutchman and more. Lending their vocal talents to the voyage are Molly McGinn and Scott MacLeod, who join North Carolina singer/songwriter Laurelyn Dossett for songs from her musical Bloody Blackbeard, first performed at Greensboro's Triad Stage in 2008.

"I am thrilled to bring the music of Bloody Blackbeard to the Summerfest audience," says Dossett. "The symphony has perfectly captured the drama and darkness of Blackbeard's legend, as well as the mischievous romp of the pirates' chanteys."

After a wonderful mix of traditional fare and symphonic favorites, including a popular composition by North Carolina Symphony bass trombone and Morehead City native Terry Mizesko, the Symphony brings the performance to a rousing close with highlights from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. But the night's not over: the concert features a spectacular fireworks finale.

More Than Great Music

At this Symphony concert, the music is only part of the fun. Back after its success at last year's Summerfest performance of The Wizard of Oz, the Symphony's costume contest welcomes all audience members arrive in their best pirate wear, with prizes handed out to child and adult winners during intermission. There be treasure in these waters.

Forgot your costume? Pirate-themed gifts will be given to the first 200 concertgoers, so early arrivals can look the part when walking the plank, following the Symphony's treasure map or taking part in activities and performances provided by Backyard Playground, Ebony Child Face Painting and Design, Kidsville News!, Marbles Kids Museum, Ora Designers/Fine Jewelers and the Shadow Players Stage Combat Group.

Also included in the pre-concert festivities is the Symphony's popular Instrument Zoo, which offers kids the opportunity to try out the orchestra's instruments for themselves, and the Whole Foods Market of Cary Picnic of the Week contest. The Symphony's roaming judges award the weekend's best picnickers with a $100 gift basket from Whole Foods. Two honorable mentions recipients will take home $20 Whole Foods gift cards. Visit www.ncsymphony.org/picnic to view previous winners.

Finally, the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources will be on site with items from the Queen Anne's Revenge, flagship of North Carolina's original pirate, Blackbeard. The artifacts are presented in conjunction with an exhibit at the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, opening June 11.

General admission lawn seating to "Pirates!" is $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Covered table seating is also available for $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Children 12 and under are admitted free to all Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series concerts.

Koka Booth Amphitheatre is located at 8003 Regency Parkway, just off the intersection of US-1 and US-64/Tryon Road, in Cary. Food and beverages, including wine and beer, are allowed on the grounds.

The Symphony takes "Pirates!" on the road, Friday, July 9, performing free at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo.

About the North Carolina Symphony

Founded in 1932, the North Carolina Symphony performs over 175 concerts annually to adults and school children. The orchestra travels extensively throughout the state to venues in over 50 North Carolina counties. Under the artistic leadership of Music Director and Conductor Grant Llewellyn, Resident Conductor William Henry Curry and Associate Conductor Sarah Hicks, the orchestra employs 67 professional musicians.

Based in downtown Raleigh's spectacular Meymandi Concert Hall at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts and an outdoor summer venue at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, N.C., the Symphony performs about 60 concerts annually in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary metropolitan area. It also holds concerts in Fayetteville, New Bern, Southern Pines, Wilmington and many other North Carolina communities throughout the year.

For tickets, program notes, podcasts-or just to get to know your Symphony's musicians-visit the North Carolina Symphony Web site at www.ncsymphony.org. Call North Carolina Symphony Audience Services at 919.733.2750 or toll free 877.627.6724. The State of North Carolina has issued your Symphony an $8 million challenge; learn more at www.ncsymphony.org/challenge.

Concert/Event Listing:

North Carolina Symphony

Pirates!

William Henry Curry, Resident Conductor and Summerfest Artistic Director

With Laurelyn Dossett, Molly McGinn and Scott MacLeod

 

July 8, 2011, 8pm

Roanoke Island Festival Park, Manteo

July 9, 2011, 7:30pm

Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Regency Park, Cary

 

 

Program Listing:

North Carolina Symphony

Pirates!

William Henry Curry, Resident Conductor and Summerfest Artistic Director

With Laurelyn Dossett, Molly McGinn and Scott MacLeod

July 8-9, 2011

 

Overture to Captain Blood

Erich Wolfgang Korngold

 

Overture to The Pirates of Penzance

Arthur Sullivan

 

"Oh better far to live and die...I am a Pirate King" from The Pirates of Penzance

Arthur Sullivan

Scott MacLeod, vocalist

 

Alla Hornpipe from Water Music Suite No. 2 in D Major

George Frideric Handel

 

"Beat ‘to Quarters,' Drummer Boy" from Bloody Blackbeard

Laurelyn Dossett

Laurelyn Dossett, Molly McGinn and Scott MacLeod, vocalists

 

"Remember My Name" from Bloody Blackbeard

Laurelyn Dossett/arr. Hardy

Laurelyn Dossett, vocalist

 

Overture to The Flying Dutchman

Richard Wagner

 

Flight to Neverland from Hook

John Williams

 

Music from Peter Pan

Mark Charlap

"Tarantella" - "Hook's Tango" - "Never Never Land" - "Captain Hook's Waltz"

Molly McGinn and Scott MacLeod, vocalists

 

"Haul on the Bowline"

Traditional

Laurelyn Dossett, vocalist

 

Last Voyage of the Currituck: A Symphonic Odyssey

Terry Mizesko

I. Introduction: Secure the Cargo, Check the Rigging

II. Heading Out to Sea

III. Sailors' Fare: Rum and Hardtack

IV. Thoughts of Home and Loved Ones

V. The Bermuda Triangle: The Devil's Apparition and Dance

VI. Epilogue

 

"Rolling Sea"

Traditional

Laurelyn Dossett and Molly McGinn

 

Symphonic Highlights from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

Hans Zimmer/arr. Lavender

Hoist the colors - Drink up, me hearties - Singapore - I see dead people in boats - Up is down

 

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