WSO concert is ‘Made in America’

CLINTON TOWNSHIP — In honor of Veterans Day, the Warren Symphony Orchestra is bringing the red, white and blue center stage.

On Nov. 13, the WSO will perform “Made in America” at 3 p.m. at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Road. “Made in America” is a collection of 11 compositions written by American composers.

The patriotic concert kicks off the WSO’s 49th year. In an email interview, WSO conductor/music director Gina Provenzano said the American theme was chosen specifically because of Veterans Day, observed annually in the United States on Nov. 11.

“(We) wanted to thank and honor our veterans. Everyone should do that,” she said, while encouraging all to attend the show. “The musicians are all professionals from the Detroit area, our ticket prices are very reasonable and K-12 (students) are free.”

The talented musicians will perform a number of pop and classical pieces written by American composers. The concert is supported by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Audience members will be treated to timeless pieces that include “American Salute” by Morton Gould and Bob Lowden’s arrangement of the “Armed Forces Salute.”

The show also will include “Dances in the Canebrakes,” by composer Florence Price; selections from Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story,” arrangement by Jack Mason; “Gershwin by George,” arrangement by George Brubaker; and “Tribute to John Williams,” arrangement by Paul Lavender.

According to Provenzano, Price was the first African American woman to have a piece performed by one of the major American orchestras: the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Linda Robbins Coleman, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, sent information about her piece “Good King Charles’s Golden Days,” which she composed in 1989.

“When I was commissioned to write the music for the 50th anniversary production and North American premiere of George Bernard Shaw’s 1939 masterpiece, ‘In Good King Charles’s Golden Days,’ I was confronted with a daunting task of capturing the play’s spirit in music,” Robbins Coleman said. “I felt the use of a harpsichord was mandatory to catch a sense of the late 17th century. Since the play veered into 20th century ideas, including quantum physics, I wanted to include modern musical ideas, as well. Themes representing the characters’ brilliant dialogue dash through sections of the orchestra in a merry romp.”

The play’s overture was 2 minutes long and written for eight instruments. After the production finished its run, Robbins Coleman was commissioned to expand the work into a full symphonic overture, her first orchestra piece.

The expanded symphonic overture was premiered by Orchestra Iowa under the direction of Christian Tiemeyer in 1995. Since then, it has been performed and broadcast hundreds of times by orchestras ranging from the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra to regional, community, university and youth orchestras.

“In September 2022, Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest reigning monarch, died. Even though my overture was written for a different occasion, the king in the play and King Charles III are connected by history, lineage and name,” Robbins Coleman said. “I always thought that this music would be the most appropriate way to celebrate the ascension and reign of King Charles III. The Warren Symphony Orchestra is one of the first orchestras to perform my overture following these recent events. Thank you to Gina Provenzano and the WSO for their belief in and support of the music of living composers.”

Provenzano also noted the show will pay tribute to two WSO members who have died.

“We are remembering Dave Daniels, original conductor and conductor for many years, and Laura Sias, bass player and bass teacher very well respected, with the State of Michigan Legislative Tribute,” she said.

For anyone who has ever wanted to conduct a symphony, here is your chance. A live auction with bidding to conduct John Philip Sousa’s “The Washington Post March” will happen at the show.

Everyone is invited to stay for the cookie reception after the concert.

Veterans Day is observed annually on Nov. 11, and the concert is two days later. Girl Scout Troop No. 76837 is scheduled to present the American flag Sunday. Tickets are $23 for adults, $20 for senior citizens, and $10 for college students. The concert is free for all military veterans, and for students in grades K-12.

Veterans interested in receiving free admission should visit the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts box office or call (586) 286-2222 in advance. The concert will be just under two hours in length with an intermission. For more information, visit warrensymphony.org. Tickets can be purchased at the Macomb Center Box Office or at macombcenter.com.