Pops Concert is March 7

The UW-M/WC Symphony will be performing the “Pops Concert - A Taste of Vienna” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 7.  This concert is an annual tradition here at “The Wood” and features the orchestra playing somewhat lighter fare.  Pieces will include favorite Strauss waltzes, overtures and polkas.

“The annual pops concert is a crowd favorite here in Marshfield,” said Dr. David De Lyser, assistant professor of Music.  “It’s a chance to hear the orchestra playing great music that often gets overlooked in the course of a typical orchestra concert. We hope everyone enjoys the show!”

Under the direction of Timothy McCollum, the symphony’s concert will include the “Radetzky March,” by Johann Strauss, Sr.; The Blue Danube Waltz and Emperor Waltz by by Johann Strauss, Jr., and the waltzes from “Der Rosenkavalier” by Richard Strauss. Polkas by Strauss Junior will include “Pizzicato Polka” and “Thunder and Lightning Polka.”

“A Taste of Vienna” is Shayla Broeske’s first UW-Marshfield/Wood County Pops concert.  Her first performance with the symphony was last fall’s production of “The Murder of Marsha Field.”

“My favorite piece is ‘Overture from Die Fledermaus’,” said Broeske, a second-year student at UW-M/WC who has been playing violin for seven years. “I really like the motion of it.  It’s really fun to play.”

Broeske, Marshfield, said she’s enjoying the opportunity to play with both community members and fellow students.

“It’s really interesting to be with people of different ages, backgrounds and talents,” she said. “We’re all musically inclined, so when we come together, it’s a really great sound.”

 “Pops” concerts have had a long tradition in the orchestral world.  The most famous “Pops” concerts are given annually by the Vienna Philharmonic.  The annual Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s Day concerts feature waltzes and polkas similar to this year’s UW-M/WC Pops program.  The “Pops” tradition in this country began in 1885 with the Boston Pops Orchestra’s “Promenade Concerts,” which combined light classical music, tunes from the current hits of the musical theater and an occasional novelty number.  Though tastes have changed over the course of more than a century, the early programs were remarkably similar to the Boston Pops programs of today.

Tickets for “A Taste of Vienna” are $7 and can be purchased at the Campus Box Office from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and one hour prior to performances. To order tickets, call (715) 389-6534 any time, and leave a message.  MasterCard, VISA and Discover cards are accepted.

For more than 40 years, the UW-Marshfield/Wood County Symphony Orchestra has presented outstanding concerts featuring the finest in traditional and contemporary orchestral literature.  The performing season features guest artists, as well as a “Pops” concert.  The orchestra is under the direction of Timothy McCollum and includes both students and community members. For more information, contact Dr. David De Lyser at david.delyser@uwc.edu or 715-389-6542.