�??No Place Like Home�?� Concert set for 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12

The public is invited for music and treats as the Southwest Symphony opens the season with its “No Place Like Home” concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, at the First Southern Baptist Church, 621 N. Western Ave. There is no admission charge but a free will donation will be accepted and memberships may be renewed at this time. Refreshments will be served.

This will be the first concert for the Southwest Symphony’s season under the direction of conductor Mark Compaan. “I think this is a great start to our concert season,” said Kay Burtzloff, president of Southwest Symphony Society, “featuring music from the ‘Wizard of Oz’ and other Kansas-based music. This is Mark’s second season with us and he has done a great job with the musicians.”

The string orchestra will start the concert with “A Western Fantasy” by Dave Bobrowitz, “Dust in the Wind” by Kerry Livgren, music from “Wicked” by Stephen Schwartz and “Wizard of Oz,” by Arlen & Harburg. Next in the program, a quintet featuring Margaret Porter, Jerilee Rediger, Shelly Rowson, Megan Sims and Donna Apsley will perform “Coleraine,” a traditional Irish jig, “Ode to Joy,” by Beethoven, “Shepherd’s Hey” by Grainger, “Londonderry Air,” a traditional Irish tune, and “Hornpipe,” by Handel.

After intermission, the full orchestra will perform “Go West,” by Ralph Ford; “Over the Rainbow,” by Hrburg & Arlen; “Overture” by Joshua Missal, “Prairie Song” by Carl Strommen, and selections from “The Wiz” by Charlie Smalls.

There will be a short annual membership meeting at the concert. "We have to have an annual meeting every year and we find that it works really well in conjunction with this concert. We promise it will only take 10 minutes at the intermission," said Burtzloff.

Orchestra members include Violins – Bethany Adams, Chris Seeman, Blinda Massa, Megan Sims; Viola- Nancy Allen; Cello – Laura Hopkins, Diana Grajeda; Oboe – Alisa Henderson, Margaret Porter; Bassoon – Lydia Augustine, Jasmine Howell; Flute – Claire Strachan, Jerilee Rediger, Marilyn Ott, Luis Garcia; Clarinet – Shelly Rowson, Kim Slasor; Trumpet – Lance Burnett; Trombone – Claire Martin; French Horn – Myron Perry; Percussion – Grant Mathews and Piano/Percussion – Donna Apsley

The Southwest Symphony Society is a Liberal non-profit organization dedicated to promoting classical and contemporary music in the community utilizing the talents of local and professional musicians. For more information, contact Burtzloff at 629-0203.