There’s another opportunity to hear the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra perform outdoors, as the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art-Ligonier Valley and Ligonier Country Club present “An Evening Under the Stars.”
The benefit for the museum is set from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 18 on the grounds of the country club at 323 Country Club Road, Ligonier Township.
Special symphony ensembles and soloists will perform movie soundtrack favorites on the club’s patio for guests seated on the lawn below.
The music will be accompanied by snacks, including popcorn popped in an old-fashioned popcorn-maker on wheels, along with ice cream sandwiches, nachos and pretzels washed down with a glass of beer or wine.
Guests also can partake of a 50/50 raffle and bid on prizes including symphony tickets, a golf club package and a one-of-a-kind Rita Haldeman painting created for the event.
“It will be an oil painting of the golf course in winter,” said SAMA-Ligonier Valley site Director Kristin Miller. “It’s going to be a stunning piece, and we can’t wait to see it.”
The symphony program will open with a brass quintet with rhythm section, followed by a string ensemble and soloists.
WSO Artistic Director Daniel Meyer will conduct.
“We’ll have some Henry Mancini; the music of ABBA, which has been prominently featured in a number of movies; and the theme from “Downtown Abbey,” which has a second movie coming in December,” said WSO Executive Director Endy Reindl.
Other featured movies include “Pride and Prejudice,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “West Side Story.”
“We talked about a number of (music) options, and movie themes was something everyone could enjoy,” Miller said. “A lot of people will recognize them.
“Everyone has had so much stress lately, I really wanted to do something fun and relaxing,” she added.
Cost per ticket is $50. Attendees should bring their own seats.
The event can accommodate about 400 guests. Reservations can be made while space is available by calling 724-238-6015 or visiting sama-art.org.
Rain date is Sept. 20.
“I know it’s a Monday, but that’s the best we could do (scheduling) among the three organizations,” Miller said.
