Symphony of the Mountains to present free concert in Wise

The Symphony of the Mountains will help celebrate the 50th anniversary of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise by presenting a free outdoor concert on Sunday, May 16.
Entitled “Mozart From Start to Finish,” the performance will feature the composer’s first and last symphonies, and other works. The concert begins at 6 p.m. on the Lawn by the Lake at UVa-Wise.

In addition to Mozart’s first and last symphonies, the concert will feature the G major flute concerto, played by Lisa Jaklitsch, winner of the 2003 Elizabeth Harper Vaughn Concerto Competition, and Mozart’s last opera, The Magic Flute, a fairytale story of dragons and princes.

The Symphony of the Mountains is under the direction of Cyrus Ginwala, now in his
eighth year as music director of the orchestra, formerly named the Kingsport Symphony Orchestra. Ginwala also directs Symphony of the Mountains Chorus and Symphony of the Mountains Youth Orchestra.

Since he advocates regionalism, Ginwala has expanded the Symphony’s concert and education programs to include the entire greater Tri-Cities region including Abingdon, Bristol and Wise. Long-range plans include regional expansion to reach all school children in the service area, and amplifying the quality of cultural arts in the region.

The May 16 concert is presented by Pro-Art Association, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise and Mountain Empire Community College, as part of the W. Campbell Edmonds Memorial Concert Series. It is co-sponsored by The University of Virginia’s College at Wise 50th Anniversary Coordinating Council.

This program is partially supported by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, UVa-Wise is ranked among the nation’s top ten public liberal arts colleges by U.S. News and World Report. The only branch campus of the University of Virginia, UVa-Wise is home to 1,700 students and offers under graduate and professional programs in the liberal arts tradition of Thomas Jefferson.

For information or assistance for persons who have a handicap, call Pro-Art at 276/376-4520 or College Relations at 276/328-0130.