WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (January 27, 2020) – The Winston-Salem Symphony will present a Pops concert series featuring the music of legendary film score composer John Williams on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 16, 2020 at 2 p.m. The concert, entitled John Williams: Star Wars and Beyond will be conducted by new Music Director Tim Redmond.
From Harry Potter and Indiana Jones to the iconic music of Star Wars, composer John Williams is the king of Hollywood cinema soundtracks and is one of today’s most accomplished composers. He has won 25 GRAMMY Awards, seven British Academy Film Awards, five Academy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. With 52 Academy Award nominations, he is the second most-nominated individual, after Walt Disney.
The Symphony celebrates this living legend with a concert of his best-loved music, drawn from half a century of unforgettable scores including Jurassic Park, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone along with portions of the scores from ET, Hook, Angela’s Ashes, Superman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and, of course, the exceptional Star Wars.
John Williams: Star Wars and Beyond is part of the Pops Series and will take place at Reynolds Auditorium, 301 N. Hawthorne Road in Winston-Salem. Tickets begin at $24 and are selling fast. They are available in advance by calling the Symphony Box Office at 336-464-0145 or online at wssymphony.org.
Attendees will have a chance to see some of their favorite characters from the Star Wars universe when the Carolina Garrison of the 501st Legion joins the Symphony. The Carolina Garrison is the North Carolina/South Carolina chapter of the 501st Legion, an all-volunteer international Star Wars costuming organization with more than 8,800 active members representing more than 47 nations.
John Williams Star Wars and Beyond is sponsored by Season Presenting Sponsors Bell, Davis & Pitt, P.A. and BB&T; Show Sponsor Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina; Redmond’s Inaugural Season Sponsor Betty Myers Howell; Symphony Unbound Sponsors Chris & Mike Morykwas; the Arts Council of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County and the North Carolina Arts Council.
About the Winston-Salem Symphony
The Winston-Salem Symphony, one of the Southeast’s most highly regarded regional orchestras, began its 73rd season in October 2019. The 2019–20 season will be Timothy Redmond’s inaugural season as Music Director and will include Classics Series concerts featuring renowned guest artists such as Béla Fleck, Rachel Barton Pine, and more. In addition, the season will include a Pops series featuring the Indigo Girls on stage with the Symphony as well as the music of John Williams and a tribute to Tom Petty. The annual Concert for Community featuring Winston-Salem Symphony and Youth Symphony musicians returns on January 25. The Symphony also hosts four youth orchestra ensembles, and a multitude of educational and community engagement programs, including the P.L.A.Y. (Piedmont Learning Academy for Youth) Music program providing, primarily to under-served youth, instrumental music instruction and more. The Symphony is supported by Season Presenting Sponsors BB&T and Bell, Davis & Pitt, P.A.; Redmond’s Inaugural Season Sponsor Betty Myers Howell; Symphony Unbound Sponsors Chris and Mike Morykwas; as well as generous funding from the Arts Council of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, the North Carolina Arts Council, and other dedicated sponsors. For more information, visit wssymphony.org.
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