Beloved music from “The Lion King,” “West Side Story” and “Grease!” will grace the stage during an upcoming performance of the Livingston Symphony Orchestra.
The numbers are part of the event, “Echoes of Stage and Screen,” scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center at Howell High School, 1200 W. Grand River Ave.
The concert, conducted by music director David Schultz, aims to capture the more modern sounds that have characterized movie and musical soundtracks in recent decades. According to LSO President Tracy Beauregard, the event will have a more contemporary, “showtunes” edge than the classical music the orchestra typically performs.
Beauregard said the group is continuing to find more ways to incorporate modern elements into performances.
“I think we’re trying to challenge ourselves to be more of a fit for the community — to be able to play more of what they love as well,” Beauregard said. “Our basic passion is music, but (also) to partner with the audience to try to make them happy as well, and just show them what a great community orchestra is.”
LSO has been entertaining audiences for more than 30 years, beginning in 1994 after Beauregard and other members in the pit orchestra of a performance of “Fiddler on the Roof” by the Community Theatre of Howell decided to create their own regional orchestra.
The idea quickly attracted interest from other musicians throughout Livingston County. The group was able to hold auditions and performances within a few months. Now, the orchestra performs four concerts a year with an average of 40 musicians.
“The foundation is so strong right now, from the members in the group to the conductor to the board,” Beauregard said. “We’ve been here for a while, and it makes me reflect lately, like, this could be here for years to come.
“It’s just exciting to think about that — that even in our community to have something like this … that’s stood the test of time.”
Tickets for “Echoes of Stage and Screen” are $10 for students and seniors and $15 for adults. They can be purchased at lso.org/tickets.
— Ari Hickman is a senior at Brighton High School and a freelancer for The Livingston Daily. Contact the newsroom at newsroom@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Livingston Symphony Orchestra to perform beloved movie, musical pieces
Reporting by Ari Hickman, Special to The Daily / Livingston Daily
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