Western Piedmont Symphony

American Pops Summer Concerts at FORUM at Lees-McRae College 7:30 p.m.
2026-07-06 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Hayes Auditorium, 191 Main St. W, Banner Elk, NC, 28604, United States
Western Piedmont Symphony returns to the High Country for an evening of classic American music from films and songs to patriotic pops at FORUM at Lees-McRae College.

Tickets info for 7:30 p.m. show:
www.etix.com

Foothills Pops: Symphony of the Shire
2026-09-12 19:30 - 21:30 | J.E. Broyhill Civic Center, 1913 Hickory Blvd, Lenoir, NC, 28645, United States
Embark on an epic musical adventure with SYMPHONY OF THE SHIRE, featuring beloved music from The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Hook, World of Warcraft, Chronicles of Narnia, and more. Western Piedmont Symphony brings these iconic worlds to life in a fantasy-filled evening of excitement, nostalgia, and wonder. Costumes, cosplay, and Renaissance-inspired attire are encouraged.

Masterworks: Mystic Horizons
2026-10-24 19:30 - 21:30 | P.E. Monroe Auditorium, LRU, 775 6th St NE, Hickory, NC, 28601, United States
Experience a thrilling opening to Western Piedmont Symphony’s 62nd season as Maestro Matthew Troy and the orchestra are joined by internationally acclaimed tabla virtuoso Sandeep Das. Rich with stories, vivid imagery, moments of sublime beauty, and the driving rhythms of North Indian classical music, Mystic Horizons blurs the lines between genre, time, and place. From the meditative beauty of Max Richter to the dazzling tales of Scheherazade, this captivating program invites audiences on a journey of wonder, adventure, and breathtaking musical color.
PROGRAM

RICHTER • On the Nature of Daylight
RANJBARAN • Seven Passages
WIJERATNE • Concerto for Tabla and Orchestra
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV • Scheherazade

FEATURED ARTIST
Sandeep Das is one of the world’s leading tabla virtuosos and a disciple of the legendary Pandit Kishan Maharaj of the Banaras Gharana. A Grammy Award-winning musician and Guggenheim Fellow, he made his debut at age 17 alongside Ravi Shankar and has since built an international career spanning more than three decades.
Das has performed with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, Paquito D’Rivera, Bobby McFerrin, and major orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, and Chicago Symphony. Renowned for blending ancient traditions with contemporary innovation, his performances and original compositions have captivated audiences in more than 50 countries around the world.

Masterworks: Handel's Messiah
2026-11-19 19:30 - 21:30 | St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 52 16th Ave NW, Hickory, 28601, United States
Experience Handel’s Messiah in the intimate setting of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. This historically informed Baroque performance has been meticulously curated by Maestro Matthew Troy to bring renewed clarity and beauty to a cherished holiday tradition. Featuring the Masterworks debut of The Symphony Singers, a select ensemble of professional vocal artists from our region, performing alongside a Baroque chamber orchestra. Audiences will be surrounded by soaring voices and the warm acoustics of the sanctuary as they experience one of classical music’s most inspiring, enduring, and recognized masterpieces.
PROGRAM

HANDEL • Messiah

Foothills Pops: Holiday Spectacular
2026-12-04 19:30 - 21:30 | J.E. Broyhill Civic Center, 1913 Hickory Blvd, Lenoir, NC, 28645, United States
Celebrate the season with HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR, Western Piedmont Symphony’s beloved annual holiday tradition. Featuring festive favorites, heartwarming classics, and joyful musical surprises, this Foothills Pops concert captures the spirit of the season for audiences of all ages. Guitarist Matt Sickels joins the orchestra for an electrifying tribute to the music of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Additional guest artists to be announced.

Masterworks: American Roots
2027-02-13 19:30 - 21:30 | P.E. Monroe Auditorium, LRU, 775 6th St NE, Hickory, NC, 28601, United States
Celebrate the rich musical traditions of America in a program that spans the concert hall and the front porch. Featuring Grammy Award-winning fiddler Michael Cleveland and his band Flamekeeper, American Roots honors the deep musical heritage of Appalachia and the people who have shaped the sound of our region. Blending the infectious energy of bluegrass and Americana with the power of a symphony orchestra, this unforgettable concert celebrates the artistry, culture, and spirit of North Carolina and our nation.
PROGRAM

STILL • Festive Overture
IVES • Variations on “America”
O’CONNOR • Queen Anne’s Revenge
COPLAND • Appalachian Spring
VARIOUS SELECTIONS • Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper

FEATURED ARTISTS
Widely regarded as one of the greatest bluegrass fiddlers of his generation, Michael Cleveland has captivated audiences with his extraordinary musicianship, improvisational brilliance, and deep connection to the traditions of bluegrass music. A native of southern Indiana, Cleveland began playing fiddle at age four and quickly developed a reputation as a prodigious talent, performing with bluegrass legends from a young age and launching a professional career shortly after graduating high school.
In 2006, Cleveland formed his band Flamekeeper, a seven-time recipient of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Instrumental Group of the Year award. A 12-time IBMA Fiddler of the Year, Grammy Award winner, National Fiddler Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Heritage Fellowship, Cleveland continues to inspire audiences worldwide while remaining deeply rooted in the bluegrass traditions that shaped his remarkable career.

Masterworks: Splendid Tchaikovsky
2027-03-13 19:30 - 21:30 | P.E. Monroe Auditorium, LRU, 775 6th St NE, Hickory, NC, 28601, United States
When composing the 1812 Overture, Tchaikovsky was given free rein in choosing the instruments he would use. He chose cannons. More than a century later, audiences around the world remain captivated by the same bold imagination, sweeping melodies, and emotional intensity that define his music. Featuring acclaimed rising star pianist Chaeyoung Park, this program explores both the beautiful and bombastic sides of one of classical music’s most beloved composers. From the lyrical power of Piano Concerto No. 1 to the thrilling spectacle of the 1812 Overture, experience the enduring artistry of a musical master whose works continue to inspire generations.
PROGRAM

JARRE • Dr. Zhivago Suite
TCHAIKOVSKY • Piano Concerto No. 1
TCHAIKOVSKY • Marche Slav
TCHAIKOVSKY • 1812 Overture

FEATURED ARTIST
Chaeyoung Park has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting young artists on the international stage. A versatile performer with a wide-ranging repertoire, she has appeared at renowned venues including Carnegie Hall, the Bravo! Vail Music Festival, and the Tongyeong International Music Festival, and has performed as soloist with orchestras including the Charlotte Symphony, Israel Philharmonic, and Israel Camerata Jerusalem.
Park made history in 2019 as the first female Korean pianist to win the Hilton Head International Piano Competition. She is also a First Prize winner of the Young Concert Artists International Auditions and has earned top honors in several major international competitions. A graduate of The Juilliard School, where she was both a Gina Bachauer Scholar and Kovner Fellow, Park is recognized for her expressive artistry, technical brilliance, and compelling performances on stages around the world.

Foothills Pops: The Texas Tenors
2027-04-17 19:30 - 21:30 | J.E. Broyhill Civic Center, 1913 Hickory Blvd, Lenoir, NC, 28645, United States
THE TEXAS TENORS bring their signature blend of country, classical, Broadway, and pop to Lenoir for a special performance with Western Piedmont Symphony. Known to millions from America’s Got Talent, the trio has earned national acclaim for their powerful vocals, engaging stage presence, and unique musical style. Join us for an unforgettable evening with one of America’s most popular vocal groups.

Masterworks: Romantic Masters
2027-05-22 19:30 - 21:30 | P.E. Monroe Auditorium, LRU, 775 6th St NE, Hickory, NC, 28601, United States
Journey through landscapes of passion, drama, and unforgettable beauty in this celebration of Romantic-era music. Featuring acclaimed violinist Andrew Sords, Romantic Masters explores music inspired by national identity, folklore, and the natural world, brought to life through soaring melodies and richly expressive orchestral colors. From dazzling virtuosity to sweeping symphonic grandeur, this program captures the spirit of an era that embraced emotion, imagination, and the power of storytelling through music. A fitting conclusion to Western Piedmont Symphony’s 62nd season, this concert promises an evening of inspiration and exhilaration.
PROGRAM

SMYTH • Boatswain’s Mate Overture
SIBELIUS • Concerto for Violin
DVOŘÁK • Symphony No. 7

FEATURED ARTIST
Violinist Andrew Sords is an internationally acclaimed soloist and recitalist whose performances have taken him across North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Praised for his expressive artistry and captivating stage presence, he has appeared with orchestras throughout the United States and abroad and is recognized for bringing both beloved masterworks and hidden gems to life.
A frequent guest artist and chamber musician, Sords has been featured by NPR, SiriusXM, and other major media outlets. His dynamic performances continue to earn acclaim from audiences and critics alike around the world.
