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Virginia Symphony to perform free concert ‘Under the Stars’ at W&M

The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will perform a free concert at William & Mary’s Martha Wren Briggs Amphitheatre at Lake Matoaka on Sept. 1.

Gates will open at 6:30 p.m., and the concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Parking is available at the garage located at 201 Ukrop Way. In the event of rain, the concert will be held at Phi Beta Kappa Hall.

Guests are invited to bring family and friends, beach chairs and blankets. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Small personal coolers and picnic baskets will be permitted; however, no external alcohol will be allowed.

Sponsored by William & Mary, the City of Williamsburg and the W&M Student Assembly, the event is part of the orchestra’s annual “Symphony Under the Stars” series, which includes five concerts taking place over Labor Day week and weekend. Conducted by the orchestra’s resident conductor, Benjamin Rous, the series is a prelude to the Virginia Symphony’s 2016-17 concert season.

The family-friendly program will include John Stafford Smith’s “Star Spangled Banner,” John Williams’ suite from “Jaws” and John Philip Sousa’s “Hands Across the Sea.” The program will also feature a piece by local composer James Hosay titled, “Rivers of the Chesapeake: The Elizabeth.”

Several members of the W&M music faculty are part of the Virginia Symphony: Joanne White, flute; Sherie Lake Aguirre, oboe; Laura Leisring, bassoon; David Vonderheide, trumpet; Rodney Martell, bass trombone; Peter DuBeau, tuba; Patti Carlson, clarinet; Jim Nesbit, saxophone; and David Wick, French horn.