In Tuesday’s (4/19) Roanoke Times (Virginia), Mike Allen writes, “The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra announced Monday that it is approaching its next season with a new business model. ‘It’s one that looks at, truly, how we get our community involved,’ said Executive Director Beth Pline. … The symphony is expanding its three-concert Pops series, which features collaborations with jazz, country and rock musicians such as Boz Scaggs and Blake Shelton, to four concerts but keeping the price the same. … It also is making a change to its Masterworks series of classical music concerts. In addition to full six-concert season subscriptions, the RSO will offer a ‘Symphony Sampler’ that allows people to choose three, four or five concerts for reduced prices. … Conductor David Stewart Wiley said that RSO musicians will be making more appearances in downtown Roanoke venues such as Kirk Avenue Music Hall and Fork in the City.’ A report Monday (4/18) on the local TV news site WDBJ7.com states that the orchestra will also “hold their Inaugural Star City International Piano Competition. It’s open to any pianist ages 16 to 30. The first place winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize, along with being the featured soloist in the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra’s Masterworks concert next spring.”
Posted April 19, 2011
