“A group of 170 patrons and musicians came together on Jan.11 … to celebrate the flagship of the cultural community, the Western Piedmont Symphony,” reads an unsigned article in Tuesday’s (1/21) Statesville Record & Landmark (NC). “ ‘Symphony 5.0: A Downton Abbey Immersive Concert Experience’ offered patrons the chance to hear the orchestra [while seated among the musicians]. The … very British musical program [featured] composers like Elgar and Holst and pieces like the ‘Irish Tune from County Derry’ … and ‘God Save the Queen.’ Maestro Matthew Troy conducted … in traditional white tie and tails. Guests donned top hats, tiaras, furs and other formal attire fit for royalty. A number of people contributed decor, including a display of official replica crown jewels on loan for the evening by local collectors Jeff Mingus and Steve Austin. [The gala event included] costumes, decor, real live footmen and a butler played by Keith Rhyne…. This was the Western Piedmont Symphony’s second Immersion Concert. WPS Executive Director Ingrid Keller created these concerts based on the concept of immersion theater, to uniquely connect musicians and patrons by allowing patrons to experience music from within the orchestra.”
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