50th Anniversary Gala Concert
WSO's Greatest Hits!
WSO's Greatest Hits!
Sunday, February 20, 2022
6:00 PM • Wilson Center
6:00 PM • Wilson Center
Tickets starting at $25.
Face masks are required
Face masks are required
Steven Errante, conductor
We are sorry to announce that our February 20th guest artist, Linda Lavin, has cancelled her trip to Wilmington because of the recent COVID-19 surge. The concert will still feature our wonderful guest artists and WSO's greatest hits! Read more about this exciting 50th Anniversary Gala Concert!
Did you know WSO's first concert performed was on February 20, 1972? Join us for a special evening celebrating the 50th anniversary on the precise moment of your orchestra's first concert!
The 50th Anniversary Concert will feature heart-warming and inspiring performances by our Richard R. Deas Young Artists Concerto Competition Winners. Our 1992 Concerto Competition winner and nationally renowned saxophonist, Benny Hill, will perform a movement from Oboe Concerto in C minor by Alessandro Marcello. Also featured on this concert is a special guest conductor and performances by our 2021 Richard R. Deas Young Artists Concerto Competition winners: Luis Barragan Higuera (UNCW Division; piano) and Aria DiLoreto (High School Division; violin).
*This concert is still scheduled for February 20, 2022 at 6:00 PM.
*If you wish to receive a refund for your tickets because of Linda Lavin's cancellation, please call Wilson Center Ticket Central at (910) 362-7999 before February 18, 2022. Refunds will not be honored on the day of the concert (February 20, 2022).
We are sorry to announce that our February 20th guest artist, Linda Lavin, has cancelled her trip to Wilmington because of the recent COVID-19 surge. The concert will still feature our wonderful guest artists and WSO's greatest hits! Read more about this exciting 50th Anniversary Gala Concert!
Did you know WSO's first concert performed was on February 20, 1972? Join us for a special evening celebrating the 50th anniversary on the precise moment of your orchestra's first concert!
The 50th Anniversary Concert will feature heart-warming and inspiring performances by our Richard R. Deas Young Artists Concerto Competition Winners. Our 1992 Concerto Competition winner and nationally renowned saxophonist, Benny Hill, will perform a movement from Oboe Concerto in C minor by Alessandro Marcello. Also featured on this concert is a special guest conductor and performances by our 2021 Richard R. Deas Young Artists Concerto Competition winners: Luis Barragan Higuera (UNCW Division; piano) and Aria DiLoreto (High School Division; violin).
*This concert is still scheduled for February 20, 2022 at 6:00 PM.
*If you wish to receive a refund for your tickets because of Linda Lavin's cancellation, please call Wilson Center Ticket Central at (910) 362-7999 before February 18, 2022. Refunds will not be honored on the day of the concert (February 20, 2022).
CLICK HERE to review our COVID-19 policy.
Guest Artists
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LUIS BARRAGAN HIGUERA, piano
Luis is a senior at UNCW pursuing a B.A. in Music. He started piano lessons while living in Spain when he was six years old; within a year he was admitted to music conservatory and went on to complete the ten-year program of merit training In his time at UNCW, Luis has performed on recitals by piano students, several Department of Music Honors Recitals, was twice awarded the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Award for receiving top score in Honors Recital auditions, and was a recipient of the Mary Eunice Troy Scholarship. Luis recently worked as on-stage pianist for the production Always... Patsy Cline at Wilmington’s Thalian Hall. He was also recommended by UNCW and selected to participate in Port City Music Festival’s Emerging Artists Program. He has performed at popular Jazz venue Doc’s Lab in San Francisco, Steinway Hall in New York City, and Wilson Center in Wilmington. At UNCW’s Music department, he is studying piano with Dr. Elizabeth Loparits; Luis has also had the opportunity to work with teachers in New York City and San Francisco. He is an instructor for Port City Music, coaches students in his home studio, and collaborates as accompanist with Wilmington Choral Society. |
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ARIA DILORETO, violin
Aria DiLoreto is a junior at Hoggard High school. She started playing violin before her 2nd birthday and grew up in a Suzuki home where she was taught by her mother, Shelly Stevenson DiLoreto. She moved on to her current teacher, Anne Stevenson Stohl in 7th grade. Aria is currently the assistant concertmaster of the Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra, is a member of the Stevenson Stohl Tour Group and is an active participant in the WSYO Chamber Program. In 2017, Aria won the Junior Division of the Richard R Deas Young Artists Concerto Competition. Every summer, Aria runs a local summer camp called Fiddlers By the Sea and also has a small private violin studio. After high school, Aria plans to attend college and pursue a degree in music therapy. In her free time she loves to hang out with friends, cook, skateboard, surf and play soccer. |
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BENNY HILL, saxophone
For the past twenty years, Benny has performed in a diverse set of musical groups and engagements, ranging from orchestra pits to cruise ships to featured artist and soloist at numerous venues across the country and abroad. Benny is well versed in the many styles and genres of popular and classical music and specializes in jazz performance. He is steeped in the tradition of many of the past greats including Julian ‘Cannonball’ Adderley, Jackie McLean, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker. His improvisations on the Alto Saxophone are reminiscent of these greats, yet he has a distinct style and voice of his own. Benny is a true crowd-pleaser and never fails to raise excitement and enthusiasm while on stage. Benny has shared the stage with such notable jazz musicians as Trumpeter Ray Codrington, Guitarist Melvin Sparks, Trombonist and Arranger Slide Hampton, bassist Percy Heath, drummer Winard Harper, Saxophonist Ron Blake, Trumpeter Eddie Henderson, and New Orleans’ Dirty Dozen Brass Band. He has also opened for roots rocker Edwin McCain and RatDog, with legendary Guitarist/Vocalist Bob Weir and Bassist Rob Wasserman and performed with James Browns’ “Soul Generals”. Benny has a Bachelors of Music from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a Masters of Music from Northern Illinois University. Benny currently resides in Wilmington, N.C. and is an adjunct professor at Cape Fear Community College. |
The celebration continues with a Soirée!
Continue the 50th Anniversary celebration and attend a Soirée before and after the 50th Anniversary Concert!
Enjoy fine food, wine and remembrances of 50 years of great performances. The Soiree will begin at 4pm in the Wilma Daniels Gallery. The experience ends post-concert in Wilma Daniels Gallery celebrating with WSO musicians.
Tickets to the Soiree are $75 and are limited – buy your Soiree tickets today before they’re sold out
**Soiree tickets do not include a ticket to the 50th Anniversary Gala Concert. Tickets to the concert must be purchased separately.
Continue the 50th Anniversary celebration and attend a Soirée before and after the 50th Anniversary Concert!
Enjoy fine food, wine and remembrances of 50 years of great performances. The Soiree will begin at 4pm in the Wilma Daniels Gallery. The experience ends post-concert in Wilma Daniels Gallery celebrating with WSO musicians.
Tickets to the Soiree are $75 and are limited – buy your Soiree tickets today before they’re sold out
**Soiree tickets do not include a ticket to the 50th Anniversary Gala Concert. Tickets to the concert must be purchased separately.
2021/2022 Premier Season Sponsors
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