York Symphony Orchestra Presents American Classics

The York Symphony Orchestra will present American Classics on Saturday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts in York. The performance will pay tribute to the military with a color guard and armed forces salute in honor of National Armed Forces Day and will feature music by Aaron Copland, George Gershwin and a commemoration of Leonard Bernstein's 100th Birthday. Single tickets starting at $9 for adults and $5 for students are available online at www.YorkSymphony.org or by calling 717-846-1111.

American Classics is the tenth performance of the 2017-2018 season, World Tour: A Musical Voyage Around the Globe, and the sixth in the Classical Series. Throughout the season, YSO has taken audiences on a world tour of music around the globe. The American Classics performance will end this tour at home, featuring pieces by America's most notable classical music composers.

"This season has been an incredible journey that allowed us to celebrate music from around the world." said Lawrence Golan, Music Director and Conductor of the York Symphony Orchestra. "As a culmination of this incredible experience, we are looking forward to welcoming our audience home to the U.S. just in time for National Armed Forces Day."

The York Symphony Orchestra will open the concert with Armed Forces Salute by Robert William Lowden. Armed Forces Salute is a spirited medley saluting the military services of the U.S. with their respective songs. The medley begins with short excerpts from America the Beautiful, Dixie, and Yankee Doodle and then features full verses of The Caisson Song (U.S. Army), Semper Paratus (U.S. Coast Guard), The Marines' Hymn, The U.S. Air Force, and Anchors Aweigh (U.S. Navy). In the transitions between these songs, the audience will hear short excerpts from Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, Battle Hymn of the Republic, Sailor's Hornpipe, and one final selection from America the Beautiful which will prove to be an emotional and inspiring experience.

The concert will also feature Overture to Candide by Leonard Bernstein. As a composer, Bernstein combined old and new styles into a distinctive musical voice that includes popular style traits, classical forms and advance techniques. At its completion in 1956, Overture to Candide was Bernstein's most significant composition. The first half of the concert will conclude with Symphonic Dance from West Side Story, also by Bernstein. West Side Story is a Broadway musical that's dark theme, sophisticated music, extended dance scenes and focus on social problems marked a turning point in American musical theater, particularly since it was not often that a Broadway musical ended in tragedy. The music has been adapted into numerous arrangements, the best known of these is the Symphonic Dances.

The second half of the concert will feature Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland, an orchestral suite that achieved widespread popularity after it premiered in 1944; and Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture by George Gershwin, an Opera adapted from Dorthy Heyward and DuBose Heyward's play Porgy.

Guests of American Classics will also enjoy a free pre-concert reception beginning at 6:30 p.m. with small bites of Pennsylvania-made food courtesy of Leg Up Farmers Market.

The York Symphony Orchestra presents American Classics on Saturday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts in York. Single tickets starting at $9 for adults and $5 for students are available online at www.YorkSymphony.org and by calling 717-846-1111.

About York Symphony Orchestra

Made up of talented professional musicians from the greater York area and beyond, the York Symphony Orchestra has been engaging audiences with outstanding orchestral music for more than 80 years. Performing at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts under the leadership of Music Director Lawrence Golan, the orchestra presents an eclectic mix of classical masterworks and contemporary selections. The 2017-2018 season is sponsored by M&T Bank; the Classical Series is sponsored by W. Dale Brougher Foundation; and the Pops Series is sponsored by PeoplesBank. American Classics is sponsored by Barley Snyder. The York Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to music education, offering programs to engage youth and adults. For more information on the York Symphony Orchestra, visit www.YorkSymphony.org or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/YorkSymphony/.