IUP Symphony Orchestra Partners with Local Rock Band, Somebody to Love, for Unique Concert
Classical music meets rock music when Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Symphony Orchestra collaborates with the local rock band, Somebody to Love, for a concert entitled, “Classic Meets Rock.” Music from the Beatles, Elton John, Toto, Aretha Franklin, and more will be featured in the concert, which will take place on Wednesday, February 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Fisher Auditorium on the campus of IUP.
Tickets are now on sale online at www.iup.edu/livelyarts, and remaining tickets will be on sale at the door one hour prior to show time on the night of the show. Indiana’s InFirst Bank is the presenting sponsor for this concert, and the Reschini Group is sponsoring the tickets for IUP students.
As Wally Stapleton was watching a rock band/orchestra concert in another town last year, inspiration struck. “I thought it would be exciting to bring a similar concept to IUP and the Indiana Community. I felt it would be a unique collaboration between IUP’s symphony orchestra and the band I’m in, Somebody to Love.”
Wally approached IUP’s orchestra conductor, Rebekah K. O’Brien, and she enthusiastically embraced the idea.
This concert will bring exposure to IUP’s outstanding orchestra program. The musicians of the IUP Symphony Orchestra began preparing the music at the end of the fall semester and there were smiles and dance moves immediately infiltrating the ensemble’s rehearsals. Rebekah shared, “As musicians we must be so flexible and at home in a variety of different genres. This concert is a wonderful opportunity to stretch the orchestra beyond the traditional classical orchestral repertoire.” This academic year, the orchestra has played works for string orchestra, a masterwork for choir and strings, and accompanied the opera production of “Pirates of Penzance.” Following this spirited “Classic Meets Rock” concert, the orchestra will wrap up the year with a performance of symphonic repertoire that will highlight the entire orchestra, completing a season full of variety and wonderfully inspiring music.
Somebody to Love is a deep-rooted local band from Indiana that has been playing classic rock music for over twelve years. The band members are - Chuck Potthast, Lynne Jones, Wally Stapleton (M'87), Ryan Long ('02, M'09), and Bill Menk ('84).
Tickets for this event are free for IUP students thanks to a sponsorship by the Reschini Group. Tickets for the general public are $6-10 (not including a $2 ticket fee) and are available for purchase online through the Lively Arts website, www.iup.edu/livelyarts by clicking on the “Purchase Tickets” link. Patrons who have questions or need assistance with their order may call the Lively Arts office at 724-357-2787, M-F, 10 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. when classes are in session for assistance.
This concert is produced by the IUP’s Department of Music and the College of Arts and Humanities. It is funded, in part, by the IUP Student Cooperative Association and Indiana’s InFirst Bank. The Lively Arts, a program of the College of Arts and Humanities, presents nearly 200 performances, programs, and exhibits annually.