Wells Fargo Center for the Arts & Santa Rosa Symphony to Celebrate 10th Anniversary of Symphony Pops Series

Wells Fargo Center for the Arts and the Santa Rosa Symphony celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Symphony Pops Series. Led by Principal Pops Conductor Michael Berkowitz, the 10th anniversary season will be comprised of four Sunday afternoon performances featuring a star-studded collection of music with tributes to Marvin Hamlisch, Barbra Streisand, ABBA, John Williams, and songs of holiday cheer at the Ruth Finley Person Theater at Wells Fargo Center for the Arts (50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa). Season ticket packages ($109 - $255), which include all four concerts and pre-concert talks, are available now. Single tickets ($32 - $80) go on sale August 22. Tickets and information are available online at wellsfargocenterarts.org, by calling 707-546-3600 or at the ticket office at 50 Mark West Springs Road in Santa Rosa.

"Over the past ten years, our partnership with the Symphony has evolved into this celebrated series that we share with the community," says Rick Nowlin, the Center's Executive Director. "This season of Symphony Pops will offer an exciting celebration of our 10th Anniversary collaboration."

Now a Sonoma County tradition, the Symphony Pops series has been attended by more than 40,000 community members over the past 9 years. From performances of rock n' roll classics, to celebrations of music legends and icons of Broadway, the afternoon concerts at the Center have introduced new audiences to the sounds of the Symphony. Prior to each performance, audience members are invited to attend a discussion with Maestro Berkowitz as he provides insight into the afternoon's program and shares personal anecdotes and memories from his storied career working on Broadway, and with Liza Minnelli, Henry Mancini and Marvin Hamlisch, among many others.

"Over the years that I've been conducting this series, our audience has grown both in numbers, as well as in appreciation of the varied types of music and programming performed as part of the Pops Series," says Maestro Michael Berkowitz. "There is a tremendous feeling of Family that I get from the audience and the Symphony every time I step on the podium. The excitement and energy around this series is palpable, and I look forward to sharing with the community what promises to be another great series of concerts for our 10th Anniversary."

The season begins Sunday, October 26, 2014 with The Way They Were: A Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch and Barbra Streisand. Beginning with their first meeting on the 1964 Broadway production of Funny Girl, Marvin Hamlisch and Barbra Streisand were fast friends and immediate collaborators. From The Way We Were to conducting Barbra's 1994 legendary comeback tour, right up until Marvin's untimely passing in 2012, these two legends created some of the world's most memorable musical moments. Led by Maestro Michael Berkowitz, Marvin's friend and longtime music director, this show is a true celebration of the joy, laughter and music that made him and Barbra legends. Her songs are sung by the amazing Haven Burton, star of Broadway's Shrek, Legally Blonde The Musical, and Rent.

On Sunday, December 14, 2014 the Pops series presents the return of a holiday tradition, A Very Merry Holiday Pops featuring Five By Design. The afternoon will consist of the Santa Rosa Symphony and renowned vocal quintet Five By Design performing uplifting and multicultural holiday music from traditional to swing to rock that's perfect for the whole family. This is the second year of the Very Merry Holiday Pops concert, having sold out in 2013!

On Sunday, February 22, 2015, the sights and sounds of Sweden's biggest music export come to life in The Music of ABBA: ARRIVAL from Sweden. The world's leading ABBA tribute group-and the only touring group sanctioned by ABBA-joins the Santa Rosa Symphony for an afternoon of favorite ABBA hits, including "Take a Chance on Me," "Mamma Mia," "Dancing Queen," and many more.

The classic sounds of iconic movies complete the 10th anniversary season in May the Force Be With You: The Movie Magic of John Williams on Sunday, April 26, 2015. With 49 Academy Award nominations (second only to Walt Disney), John Williams is one of the most celebrated and well-known film composers of all time. Featuring selections from the movies "E.T.," "Jaws," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," and of course "Star Wars", this performance brings thrilling movie scores to life by a full symphony orchestra.