WSO Receives Standing Ovation in Season Finale

The Westfield Symphony Orchestra season finale was a musical delight for the audience at the  on Sunday evening.  

Under the  direction of Maestro David Wroe, the symphony concert was entitled 'Simple Gifts.' The WSO performed with signature perfection. Roger Verdi, of Belleville, who plays trombone in the orchestra, is just one of the many talented musicians who performed on Sunday. 

"The program is a combination of Beethoven and Copland," Verdi explained. "It is exciting to be performing it."  

Verdi pointed out that the WSO performed the concert in Ridgewood on Friday and it was very well-received. 

Members of the audience included young people from the area who attended with their families and friends. William Crenshaw, 14, of Westfield, said this was not the first time he has attended a symphony performance and added that he enjoys the concerts.

Madeline Sherry, 10, of Westfield, took in her first orchestral program. A pianist, Sherry looks forward to attending more concerts in the future.  

The program opened with Bergen County’s famed Pro Arte Chorale, performing Beethoven’s Mass in C, a piece which contains some of his most sublime work for voices. 

The chorus featured four distinguished soloists; soprano Sara Murphy; tenor William Joyner, mezzo-soprano Avery Amero, and bass Young-Bok Kim.  

Westfield resident, Patrick Mahoney said he recognized the Beethoven movement immediately.

"It was exquisitely performed and the soprano was enthralling," Mahoney said.

The second half of the performance consisted of two of Copland's compositions, 'Appalalacian Spring,' and 'Hoe-Down' from 'Rodeo.'  

Both pieces received standing ovations from the audience. 'Hoe-Down' was a peppy, energetic piece that was perfect to end a very successful season. At the conclusion of the concert, the audience gave the Westfield Synphony Orchestra a rousing round of applause to show their appreciation for the excellent performance.

For more information about the Westfield Symphony Orchestra's future seasons and special events, please call (908) 232-9400, e-mail: wso@westfieldsymphony.org, or log onto their website, www.westfieldsymphony.org.