Classically Speaking

Across the state, there are some fun Fourth of July weekend concerts going on this weekend.  Here's a brief tour:

In Huntington, The Huntington Symphony has one of their three summer “Picnics with the Pops” on July 4th.  They’re playing outside at Harris Riverfront Park.  The program is called “Red, White, and Bluegrass,” and there will be fireworks.

In Charleston, the West Virginia Symphony will be performing at Haddad Riverfront Park on the Kanawha River, where there will also be fireworks.  Their program includes patriotic and festive favorites like The Star Spangled Banner and Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, with the added bonus of featuring singing by Ryan Hardiman, the WV Symphony Idol.

Listen to Hardiman talk about the process of becoming the WV Symphony Idol

Listen to Hardiman discuss the songs he's singing on the July 4th concert

Listen to Hardiman describe some dream roles and future plans

Now the Wheeling Symphony is teaming up with the Mountain Stage band and taking their show on the road.  They'll be performing in Wheeling on July 4th, at Wheeling's Heritage Port.  The surrounding dates will find them in Clarksburg, Canaan State Park, and Weirton.  For his fourth Fourth of July concert with the Wheeling Symphony, Music Director Andre Raphel Smith is looking forward to the show:

Listen to Smith talk about working with the Mountain Stage Band

Listen to Smith describe his favorite pieces on the program

One of Smith's favorite pieces on the program is Morton Gould's American Salute: Hear an excerpt from Gould's American Salute.

I wish I could go to all of these concerts, but I can only be in one place at a time!  I'll be out enjoying fireworks and music on the river in Charleston.  Are you going to a Fourth of July concert this weekend? I'd love to hear about it--you can share your story by leaving a comment below.  And of course, on Classical Music here on West Virginia Public Radio, we'll have plenty of good music for the Fourth.