The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Torrington Symphony Orchestra to stage ‘A Holiday Celebration’
TORRINGTON — The Torrington Symphony Orchestra, with chorus, will present “A Holiday Celebration,” on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the Warner’s Nancy Marine Studio Theatre.
Under the direction of conductor Maurice Steinberg, the concert will feature the “Hallelujah Chorus,” other holiday favorites and light classics.
Pianist Joy Zublena will perform the orchestra on a keyboard, not her usual piano. On Thursday, she said she was thrilled to have so many voices join the orchestra.
“They sounded so good at rehearsal on Wednesday night,” Zublena said. “The orchestra sounded wonderful too — they always do.”
Singers participating in Saturday night’s concert include members of the First Congregational Church of Torrington, the United Methodist Church and the Connecticut Yankee Chorale, and students from choirs at Litchfield High School, Torrington High School and Northwestern Region 7 High School in Winsted.
According to its website, torringtonsymphony.org, the group was founded in the spring of 1961 by two area musicians, William J. Khoury and Victor Muschell. “The symphony’s first concert was April 11, 1961 at the Warner Theatre. Since then, the symphony has preformed classical and popular music to the delight of audiences from Litchfield and northern New Haven counties.”
The Torrington Symphony Orchestra is a volunteer-run, non profit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Its mission is to promote interest in and appreciation of symphonic and other music through performance and related programs for the enjoyment, betterment and benefit of the community.
“The symphony provides a vehicle for amateur, semi-professional and professional instrumentalists to study and perform the finest possible examples of standard symphonic repertoire in a serious and congenial environment,” its misson statement reads. “We also encourage talented young musicians to perform with us in and effort to raise their musical skills. The symphony is supported by ticket sales, private, business and corporate donations and grants.
The 45-plus Torrington Symphony amateur and professional musicians are drawn from 25 Connecticut towns, New York and Massachusetts for Wednesday evening rehearsals. Currently, the four early concerts include collaborations with choral groups and professional soloists adding an exciting dimension to the season. The symphony has an impressive music library encompassing music from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods as well as contemporary, pop and show tunes. Torrington Symphony Orchestra is the only full symphonic orchestra in northwest Connecticut. The Symphony is a C.E.U. (Continuing Educations Units) provider for teachers. A unique aspect of this symphony is that gifted young students sit side by side with professional musicians at rehearsals and concerts. Torrington Symphony Orchestra also provides scholarships to students who participate in all the season’s concerts and rehearsals.
General admission tickets to “A Holiday Celebration” are $22. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Warner Box Office at 860-489-7180 or online at www.warnertheatre.org