West Virginia Symphony Orchestra in Parkersburg Welcomes New Season with Champagne Reception | News, Sports, Jobs

The Michael Tobar Jazz Trio will perform at the West Virginia Symphony League-Parkersburg Champagne Reception from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Parkersburg Art Center. The event will celebrate the opening of a new symphonic season. (Photo provided)

PARKERSBURG — The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra of Parkersburg and the Symphony League will host a champagne reception to celebrate the opening of a new symphony season from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Parkersburg Art Center.

The season opens with the extravagant Christmas concert, “Sounds of the Seasons” a performance with the local symphony orchestra and choirs at 2:30 p.m. on December 4 at the Blennerhassett School Auditorium. The season continues each month for a total of five concerts; three pop concerts and two classical concerts. Wearing a mask is optional this season.

To build excitement and encourage participation in the upcoming season, the Parkersburg Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors and the Symphony League are inviting the community to a festive music event. The Symphony League is raising money to support three orchestral concerts for Wood County Elementary School students.

The Michael Tobar Jazz Trio will perform from 6 to 7 p.m. at the reception and will feature Dr. Isidro Amigo, a local doctor, singing.

As well as toasting the season opener with champagne, punch and a delicious hors d’oeuvres offer will be available. Reception is free

Members of the Parkersburg Symphony Orchestra will be available to help customers purchase tickets, both for season passes or for individual concerts. With the exception of this evening, all tickets must be purchased online at wvsop.org

The season will delight audiences with music by Mozart, Vivaldi, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Verdi, Strauss and Gershwin and pieces by modern composers. Special soloists playing violin, piano, flute and harp will also be featured.

This season is unique in that the symphony and the public will hear from four conductors who audition from January to May for the position of conductor. The Parkersburg public will participate in the selection.