Feb. 16, 2009

Whitworth Symphony Orchestra to Perform First West Coast Tour March 20-29

The Whitworth Symphony Orchestra will present "Symphonic Inspirations" March 20-29 during its first major concert tour across Washington, Oregon and California.

The orchestra's performance will feature Haydn’s Symphony No. 100, also known as the Military Symphony. Other selections will include the Renaissance-inspired Ancient Airs and Dances, by Respighi, the Welsh-based Rhosymedre, by Vaughan-Williams, and Brahms’ Variations on a Theme by Haydn.

Following is information for each concert location. Admission is free; donations will be taken during the performance. For more information, please call (509) 777-3280.

• Friday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m.
  Hanford High School
  450 Hanford St.
  Richland, Wash.
  
  
• Saturday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m.
  Lake Grove Presbyterian Church                  
  4040 Sunset Dr.
  Lake Oswego, Ore. 
  
  
• Monday, March 23, at 7 p.m.
  St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
  1390 Franklin Blvd.
  Yuba City, Calif.
  
  
• Wednesday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m.
  Clovis Unified School District Performing Arts Center
  2770 E. International Ave.
  Fresno, Calif.
  
  
• Friday, March 27, at 8 p.m.
  1st Presbyterian Church of Berkeley
  2407 Dana St.
  Berkeley, Calif.
  

The Whitworth Orchestra performs literature of the highest quality and conducts three concerts and a concerto competition each year. In the future, the group plans to embark upon a major tour every other spring. The orchestra has collaborated with Hollywood composer Bruce Frazier and has performed live film scores to projected movies. String players from the group also enjoy many opportunities including performance classes, chamber music, guest master classes, and frequent clinics with principal players and conductors of the Spokane Symphony. Whitworth's music faculty members include current and past members of the Spokane Symphony and are active as recitalists, soloists and chamber musicians.

Philip Baldwin is director of string studies, conductor of the Whitworth Orchestra, and assistant professor of violin. He also is the concertmaster and assistant conductor of the Coeur d’Alene Symphony and a former tenured member of the Spokane Symphony, as well as a frequent guest conductor, lecturer and recitalist.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private, liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). The university, which has an enrollment of 2,600 students, offers 53 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Philip Baldwin, conductor of the Whitworth Orchestra and director of string studies, Whitworth University, (509) 777-3268 or pbaldwin@whitworth.edu.

Joan Lack, performing arts tour coordinator, music department, (509) 777-3280 or jlack@whitworth.edu.

Emily Proffitt, public information officer, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or eproffitt@whitworth.edu.