John Williams News

The North Carolina Symphony invites Wilmington residents to beat the summer heat and join the orchestra inside Kenan Auditorium to celebrate our nation's 236th birthday. Music Director Grant Llewellyn leads the Symphony in "Stars and Stripes," featuring patriotic highlights and symphonic favorites to honor the USA right before its birthday.

EWonline reports that AMERICAN IDOL winner Phillip Phillips is set to headline this year's July Fourth concert and celebration on the National Mall in Washington DC. The singer recently underwent kidney surgery but is reportedly recovering well.

The North Carolina Symphony celebrates our nation's 236th birthday with a concert of patriotic favorites and high-spirited classics capped by the area's biggest fireworks displays.

A cherished Orange County tradition for the last 25 years, Pacific Symphony's Summer Festival 2012, presented by Hoag Hospital, begins with a July 4th extravaganza as the orchestra rocks out to the music of the highest-selling American band of the 1970s-the Eagles. Formed in Los Angeles in 1971, the Eagles defined the phrase "life in the fast lane" with country-flavored rock-and-roll that described the pursuit of the American dream. Achieving five No. 1 singles, six Grammys, five American Music Awards and six No. 1 albums, including the first to ever hit platinum (1 million sold), the Eagles have left a stream of mega hits and influence on American music. Taking place Wednesday, July 4, at 8 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, this holiday celebration stars the rock tribute band Windborne, performing Eagles' favorites such as "Take it Easy," "Desperado," "Witchy Woman," "Peaceful Easy Feeling" and "Hotel California."

Wolf Trap has announced the following upcoming performances.

Student musicians from the Atlanta area, including members of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO), will perform a side-by-side concert with members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra tonight, June 14, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. in Atlanta Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts Center. Youth Orchestra Music Director Jere Flint will lead the musicians in a program featuring Dvo?ak's "New World" Symphony and Mozart's Overture to The Magic Flute.

Berkeley Playhouse closes its 2011-12 main stage season with a delicious adaptation of ROALD DAHL'S WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Berkeley Playhouse founding Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy helms this musical treat, based on Roald Dahl's stylish children's story about the world famous candy man, starring noted Bay Area singer/songwriter, musician, and recording artist Vernon Bush in the title role. ROALD DAHL'S WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY plays July 14 through August 19 at the Julia Morgan Theatre in Berkeley.

Grab a seat under the pines for "The Pines of Rome," the North Carolina Symphony's musical toast to the natural world. The concert takes place at Cary's Booth Amphitheatre tonight, June 9, at 7:30 p.m. Children 12 and under are free on the lawn.

Home to some wonderfully strange and unique characters, San Francisco should have no trouble welcoming the Voca People. Hailing from planet Voca, the unusual group crash-lands its spaceship in the city every night through June 17, bringing with them non-stop comedy and mannerisms and costumes similar to those of the famed Blue Man Group.

Student musicians from the Atlanta area, including members of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (ASYO), will perform a side-by-side concert with members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, June 14, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. in Atlanta Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts Center. Youth Orchestra Music Director Jere Flint will lead the musicians in a program featuring Dvo?ak's "New World" Symphony and Mozart's Overture to The Magic Flute.

Join Pittsburgh CLO for a free series of afternoons enjoying your favorite musical hits on the silver screen at Point Park University's George R. White Theater before the live productions open on the Benedum Center stage. This event is open to the public. In addition to a free film screening, participants will be entered into a drawing for Pittsburgh CLO prizes.

Nashville Symphony's June 2012 Events include Carmina Burana, Willie Nelson, Idina Menzel, Beethoven and more. See details below.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Academy Award®-winning director Steven Spielberg's magical adventure, celebrates its 30th Anniversary with its first-ever release on Blu-ray™ this October.

Academy Award and GRAMMY(R) Award-winning superstar Jennifer Hudson will perform on the BOSTON POPS FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR, an entertainment special to be broadcast live from the Charles River Esplanade in Boston, Wednesday, July 4 (10:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Bob Lappin and The Palm Beach Pops, Florida's premier Pops orchestra, is offering another sensational season of sophisticated musical entertainment with the announcement of six signature concert series. Audiences are invited to hear "The Music You Love, Live" as the orchestra celebrates 21 years of outstanding music from The Great American Songbook with special guest artists including American Idol Finalist Tamyra Gray, pianist and vocalist, Tony DeSare, Broadway leading lady, Christine Andreas, and Vegas superstar Clint Holmes and more.

Justin Blalock, starting left guard for the Atlanta Falcons, will partner with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as a spokesman for music education during its "When I Play Music" campaign for music education. Mr. Blalock, who grew up playing tuba at his school, and continues to play drums and guitar, recognizes the impact of both music education and sports on children. He is dedicated to giving back to the youth of Atlanta, and this partnership will unite the educational mission of the Atlanta Symphony with Mr. Blalock's commitment to raise awareness of the benefits of music and sports in the lives of kids.

Grab a seat under the pines for "The Pines of Rome," the North Carolina Symphony's musical toast to the natural world. The concert takes place at Cary's Booth Amphitheatre on Saturday, June 9, at 7:30 p.m. Children 12 and under are free on the lawn.

Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble (PSYWE), comprised of wind and percussion instrumentalists in grades 8-12, led by Music Director Joshua Roach (under the direction of Pacific Symphony Music Director Carl St.Clair), and three gifted soloists: Courtney Park, oboe, Thomas Yoo, clarinet, and Christopher Bryant, saxophone, will grace the stage today, May 13.

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts announces its entire 2012 Summer season, featuring 92 performances at the majestic Filene Center amphitheater, nine evenings of opera at The Barns at Wolf Trap, and 34 performances in 108 days at Wolf Trap's Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods.

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts has announced its entire 2012 Summer season, featuring 92 live performances and 108 days at the Filene Center amphitheater, nine evenings of opera at The Barns at Wolf Trap, and 34 performances at Wolf Trap's Children's Theatre-in-the-Woods. See below for recent additions to the line-up and schedule.