The Best Elvis Show On The Road Opens WSO Pops

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Best Elvis Show On The Road Opens WSO Pops Winnipeg, MB – October 14, 2014 -­‐ The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) Air Canada Pops 2014-­‐2105 series opens with A Tribute to the King of Rock n’ Roll himself – Elvis Presley. Starring four award-­‐winning Broadway veterans who have sold out concert venues throughout Canada and the United States, The King, which runs Oct. 17-­‐19, is a celebration of Elvis’ greatest hits ranging from Heartbreak Hotel to Viva Las Vegas. Vocalist Scott Coulter conceived the show to focus on the music we know and love. Jersey Boy style arrangements feature Scott plus Lee Lessack, Johnny Rodgers and Brian Wilson shifting from four-­‐part harmony to honky-­‐tonk style solos. Fans of Elvis the film star will swoon to Blue Hawaii, Love Me Tender and Can’t Help Fallin’ in Love with You while Gospel fans will be swaying to Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art. Air Canada Pops The King – A Tribute to Elvis Friday, October 17 -­‐ 8:00 PM Saturday, October 18 -­‐ 8:00 PM Sunday, October 19 -­‐ 2:00 PM Centennial Concert Hall Julian Pellicano, conductor; Scott Coulter, Lee Lessack, Johnny Rodgers, Brian Wilson, vocalists; Danny Mallon, drums MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING Pre-­‐concert performance on the Piano Nobile begins 45 minutes prior to the concerts. Friday, October 17 – Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute Saturday, October 18 – Mennonite Brethren Collegiate Institute Sunday, October 19 – Flutes by the Score Pops Series Sponsor: Presenting Media Sponsor: Tickets start at $32.00 and are available through the WSO Box Office: 204.949.3999 or wso.ca or Ticketmaster: 1.855.985.ARTS and Ticketmaster.ca The WSO is integral to Winnipeg's rich cultural life, delighting more than 100,000 audience members each year with innovative programming and musical excellence. The WSO presents educational programs for more than 25,000 students annually and tours to communities across Manitoba. -­‐30-­‐ MEDIA CALL: Friday, October 17 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Centennial Concert Hall; Media to arrive at back stage entrance Lily Street **Guest artists are available for in-­‐studio performances upon request. MEDIA: For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact: Sarah Panas, Marketing & Communications Coordinator p. (204) 949-­‐3970 f. (204) 956-­‐4271 e: [email protected] SUPPORT MATERIALS -­‐ Biographies Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra has the good fortune to be located in a culturally vibrant city with a history of supporting cultural and community activities with enthusiasm and discernment. The WSO has been a vital component of the community since its incorporation on February 13, 1947. The debut concert was held on December 16, 1948 in the Civic Auditorium to an audience of 3,000 with Walter Kaufmann conducting. Subscription prices for the first season of five concerts ranged from $3 to $8 with single tickets starting at $0.75. Walter Kaufmann was the orchestra’s first music director and following him came Victor Feldbrill, George Cleve, Piero Gamba, Kazuhiro Koizumi, Bramwell Tovey, Andrey Boreyko, and since 2005, Alexander Mickelthwate. Under their guidance, the orchestra has both earned a place among the ranks of major Canadian symphony orchestras and has come to be regarded as among Canada’s most innovative. Some of the eminent soloists who have appeared with the WSO include conductors Pierre Monteux, John Barbirolli and Arthur Fiedler; violinists David Oistrakh and Itzhak Perlman; pianists Glenn Gould, Byron Janis, Gary Graffman, Leon Fleisher; singers Marilyn Horne and Maureen Forrester; cellists Zara Nelsova and Jacqueline du Pré and many others. The WSO has toured throughout Canada, and made a first appearance at Carnegie Hall in 1979. The orchestra has worked very closely with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation since 1954 when the CBC began broadcasting portions of WSO concerts. The orchestra has released numerous recordings on the CBC label and has given thousands of national radio broadcasts since its inception. In addition to its own extensive season of concerts and educational activities, the WSO functions as the official orchestra of Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Manitoba Opera Association. The WSO has developed an international reputation for its annual New Music Festival. Founded in January 1992 by Music Director Bramwell Tovey and the WSO’s first composer-­‐in-­‐residence, Glenn Buhr, the New Music Festival has provided an environment rich in exploration and discovery of new works by composers from Canada and around the world. It was in the New Music Festival that programming proposed for the Spring for Music Festival was first programmed and performed for the loyal New Music Festival audiences in Winnipeg. This appearance at Carnegie Hall on May 8, 2014 was a success for the WSO artistically, financially and on a community level. Hundreds of Manitobans travelled to New York to attend the concert and the celebratory after party at The Russian Tea Room that was attended by 720 people. The King – A Tribute to Elvis The King – A Tribute to Elvis stars award-­‐winning vocalists Scott Coulter, Lee Lessack, Johnny Rodgers and Brian Wilson. The group, along with drummer Danny Mallon, has travelled the globe (both as a group and individually) performing in the world's top concert venues and symphony halls. In addition to their concert work, Scott, Lee and Johnny are solo recording artists with award-­‐winning CDs to their credit. The King – A Tribute to Elvis was conceived and directed by Scott and features arrangements by Johnny and Scott.