More funds sought to help pay for July 22 symphony performance

The North Carolina Symphony will be performing July 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sparta Elementary School Auditorium, but local school officials say more donations are needed to finance symphony performances.

The N.C. Symphony also presents a fall concert for students and funds raised during the upcoming Summer Pops Concert help fund that event.

This year, the pops concert will consist of classical pieces by Johann Strauss Jr., Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Sergei Prokofiev, Franz von Suppé, James Bates, John Williams and others. Williams' pieces are well-known as part of American movie culture, including the "Imperial March" from "Star Wars," a suite from "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and the "Superman March."

"The symphony is a good program for our children and our county," said Ellen Widener, secretory for Alleghany County Schools, who also assists with the symphony project. "There is a concert in the fall for grades two through eight and the high school band students are also invited. We really need to raise more money to keep this going." More than 900 students annually attend that performance. William Curry is the resident conductor of the symphony.

"It is an interactive type of concert. He explains the use of the instruments to them and he talks to them about the different pieces that they perform."

As of Tuesday, $10,325 had been raised toward to symphony's $16,500 cost to put on the two shows. "Donations fund the concerts, so any help we can get will be greatly appreciated." Donations are tax deductible.

The auditorium seats about 936 people and tickets are being sold in advance by donation only. "We probably have about 500 left," said Widener.

Tickets will be available at the door on the date of the concert for $8 each, she noted. Advance ticket locations include the Alleghany County Public Library, Alleghany Chamber of Commerce and Alleghany Public Schools Central Office.

For more information on tickets or to make a donation, call 372-4345 or mail a check payable to Alleghany Educational Foundation/N.C. Symphony, 85 Peachtree Street, Sparta, NC 28675.

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