Westmoreland Symphony plans Summer Sparklers, more outdoor concerts

After last year’s hiatus, Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Sparklers concert will return to St. Clair Park in Greensburg.

The popular program of pops music and patriotic anthems is scheduled for 7 p.m. July 9. Admission is free.

The symphony also will host a series of three Live on the Lawn concerts, featuring smaller ensembles, in the amphitheater at Hempfield Park.

Summer Sparklers traditionally opens with the national anthem and includes familiar pops and classical pieces, closing with rousing renditions of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” and Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

WSO Artistic Director Daniel Meyer will conduct.

“It’s such a community tradition in the area, and it’s everything you could want for a hometown concert,” said WSO Executive Director Endy Reindl. “It will be the first really big concert in St. Clair Park (since the pandemic shutdown), and it’s a great opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate.

“We are just so looking forward to being outside and welcoming back a live audience,” he said. “I think the musicians would triple that over anything I could say.”

Live on the Lawn concerts begin June 25 with Beo String Quartet, returning after its closing date in last year’s series.

The quartet brings a modern approach to chamber music, playing originals, covers and works by contemporary composers.

“They play a lot of works by new, up-and-coming composers, which is really important to highlight,” Reindl said. “Although it’s lovely, we don’t always have to play music that came out of Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries.

“The last two dates will be dedicated to our wind and brass musicians, who weren’t able to join us during the past year (due to mask requirements for performers),” he said. “We really wanted to highlight them.

Those programs will focus on “composers who don’t get played that often,” Reindl said.

Live on the Lawn dates include:

• Beo String Quartet, 7 p.m. June 25 — The quartet includes WSO associate concertmaster Jason Neukom, along with Sean Neukom, Ryan Ash and Aviva Hakanoglu.

• Westmoreland Winds, 7 p.m. July 23 — Members are Tom Godfrey, flute; Renate Sakins, oboe; Ryan Leonard, clarinet; Austin Sposato, horn, and Steve Ehrin, bassoon.

• Trio Phonon, 7 p.m. Aug. 6 — Members are Tom Godfrey, flute; Will Teegarden, cello, and Frances Duffy, harp.

Attendees will need to bring their own seats to the concerts in Hempfield Park, 220 Forbes Trail Road. No pets, smoking or alcoholic beverages are allowed. Restrooms are available.

Attendance is limited to 250; online registration is required. Suggested donation per person is $10; additional donations are welcome.

Details: 724-837-1850 or westmorelandsymphony.org