Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra Performs at Ocean State Theatre Tonight

The Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra, one of Rhode Island's cultural gems, will for the first time, present a concert at the Ocean State Theatre Company's state-of-the-art facility located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick tonight, August 15 at 7:00 pm. This will also be the first time that a full orchestra has performed at the theatre.

The Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra is dedicated to education and entertainment through music, and delivers orchestral and educational programming throughout the communities of Greater Rhode Island. The orchestra is dedicated to presenting the highest quality performances of great music in order to enhance the cultural vitality and quality of life of our community. The Orchestra's popular summer concert season, which includes a broad repertoire of light classical pieces, as well as movie and show music, marches, and other pops-style selections, begins in July and ends at Labor Day.

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.

The August 15 concert will include "Triumphal March" from Giuseppe Verdi's Aida, "Gabriel's Oboe" by Ennio Morricone from the film The Mission, selections by Hans Zimmer from the film Gladiator, "Por Una Cabeza" by Carlos Gardel, "Havanaise" by Saint Saens, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" by the Charlie Daniels Band, Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up," and many more.

The Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra will be at Ocean State Theatre tonight, August 15 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.