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WARREN — It’s 49 years and counting for the Warren Symphony Orchestra.
To celebrate, the symphony will host its final performance of the 2022-2023 season, “Out of This World,” featuring the music of Star Wars, at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 23, at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts.
The Warren Symphony Orchestra is the only professional symphony orchestra in Macomb County. Its mission is to support and advance an orchestra of professional quality for cultural enrichment, entertainment and youth education.
Free admission is available for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. College students can purchase tickets for a reduced rate.
“What a great way to spend a Sunday with the family encouraging music appreciation,” said Warren Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Joyce Russell.
In 49 years, the Warren Symphony Orchestra has grown and evolved. Starting out by filling a void due to financial challenges facing the Warren Consolidated Schools district, the orchestra has evolved into a 50-musician, nationally recognized professional symphony orchestra.
“The orchestra’s impetus was because of the defunding of string education and so our community rallied together from 1971 to 1973 to ensure our children and residents were not without access to the musical majesty of orchestras,” said Russell.
In nearly five decades, the Warren Symphony Orchestra has grown its presence throughout the community and is often referred to as the WSO by patrons. Its growth exemplifies diversity and representation.
“The WSO is proud of the fact that we have hired one of the few female conductors globally. Conductor and Music Director Gina Provenzano has helped the WSO’s Board of Directors more deeply understand the lack of underrepresented populations in composing and creating music,” said Lori Stone, president of the Warren Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors. “She (Provenzano) works very intentionally to bring music from underrepresented populations into our performances. This diversity is vital as one of our missions is to provide music education to our school-aged children. They need to be able to find some facet of themselves in our repertoire.”
The Macomb Center for the Performing Arts is located at 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township. Tickets are $23 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for college students. Students in grades K-12 are free but will need to pick up a ticket at the box office. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, online at macombcenter.com or by calling (586) 286-2222.
