Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra Returns to Ocean State Theatre August 27

The Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra, one of Rhode Island's cultural gems, returns this summer to Ocean State Theatre Company's comfortable stadium-style theatre in Warwick on Saturday, August 27 at 7:00 pm.

The Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra is dedicated to education, entertainment and inspiration through music, delivering orchestral and educational programming throughout the communities of Greater Rhode Island. The orchestra is committed to presenting the highest quality performances of great music in order to enhance the cultural vitality and quality of life of the community and to further the public's knowledge and understanding of orchestral music. The Orchestra's popular summer concert season includes a broad repertoire of light classical pieces, as well as movie and show music, marches, and other pops-style selections.

Because this unique group generally only performs during the summer months, they are able to draw on the talents of musicians who may otherwise not be available. The orchestra is proud to include, among its ranks, members of the Rhode Island Philharmonic and Philharmonic Community Orchestras, the American Band, the Rhode Island Wind Ensemble, as well as the Brown University, RIC, URI, Fall River, New Bedford, and other local orchestras.

Stephen Toro, one of the founders of the Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra served as the conductor of the original Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra from 1993 until 1998 and since 2005 has served as Music Director and Conductor of the new Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra. He has led the orchestra through fifteen successful seasons, performing orchestral pops music for thousands of patrons in venues across Southern New England. Under his direction, the orchestra has thrilled audiences with memorable concerts and special guest artists.

On August 27, the 55 piece orchestra will be joined by a 15 member vocal ensemble led by Mark Colozzi, as well as Rhode Island native Marissa DiBiase, an award-wining young soprano and senior at Rhode Island College, who will be featured on two pieces. In addition to premiering two pieces by Rhode Island composer Michael Tarro, the concert will include a wide variety of pieces including "Star Spangled Banner," "Summon the Heroes," "Hymn to the Fallen," "Over the Rainbow," "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "Across the Stars," "The Great Locomotive Chase," "Jerusalem," "America the Beautiful," "Stars and Stripes," and many more.

The Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra will be at Ocean State Theatre on Saturday, August 27 at 7:00 pm. The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets are $25 for adults and free for children 12 and under and are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 pm and from 12 noon until curtain on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.

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