Troy University Symphony playing free concert at amphitheatre | Arts & Culture

PHENIX CITY, AL - The Troy University Symphony Band will present “Pops on the River” at the Phenix City Amphitheatre at 7 p.m. April 27.

“This performance is part of our continuing outreach program to perform in cooperation with each of Troy University's Alabama campuses,” said Mark Walker, director of bands at Troy University. “This concert is the Symphony Band's first ever performance in this venue and will feature a wide variety of classical pops music for every taste and listener.“Performances such as this are crucial for recruiting for the Troy University Band Program, John M. Long School of Music and Troy University. Families and middle school and high school students from throughout the region will have the opportunity to see the internationally renowned Troy University Symphony in a free concert. Perusing these types of concert events builds goodwill with people and communities throughout our region,” he said.

Sponsored by the TROY Phenix City Campus and Phenix City and under Walker’s leadership, the concert will feature TROY professor Michael Huff in in a performance of James Curnow’s “Concertpiece for Trumpet and Band” as wells as TROY saxophone professor Ray Smith in a performance of “Deco Drive” by Victor Lopez, a piece that depicts the atmosphere and Art Deco architecture of Miami’s South Beach.

Leonard Bernstein’s “Overture to Candide” will open the concert and will be followed by a performance of George Gershwin’s “An American in Paris,” John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” music from “Porgy and Bess,” a setting of the music from “The Wizard of Oz” and other favorite compositions for wind band.

The Symphony Band is composed of the top 55 wind and percussion majors in the John M. Long School of Music on the Troy Campus and has an international reputation for excellence and innovative programming.

Concert admission is free and open to the public. For further information, call Marianne Michael at (334) 448-5111.