So much about this afternoon was remarkable, starting with the fact that there is no admission charged to a performance of the Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra. This afternoon's concert, held in the Fracis Auditorium of Mary Baldwin College, was a program put together by the Music Director of the WSO, Peter Wilson, who also happens to be a White House violinist and Commander of the String Section for the U.S. Marine Band (which means he was all over the inauguration, if you were paying attention). All of the music was wonderful and some of it was familiar. It ranged from George Drumm's "Hail America!", which you'd recognize if you heard it, to W.G. Snuffy Walden's Theme to "The West Wing", but also included Sousa, Copland, and John Williams. Given the price of admission, this was a spectacular performance.
But wait. There's more! The highlight was George Gerswhin's "Rhapsody in Blue". Not only did the orchestra do a fantastic job with this difficult piece, but it featured pianist AnnaMaria Mottola, who was breathtaking. Like Wilson, Mottola is a White House musician and a member of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band.
The concert was an amazing treat, and if you missed this weekend's performance you've got another chance. The WSO will perform the same program on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Waynesboro. Don't miss it!
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