Southwest Washington Symphony visits the coast

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, May 5, 2004

The Southwest Washington Symphony will perform Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 8 at the Astoria High School auditorium. In its 37th concert season, the Symphony is looking forward to its first concert at the Coast. In addition to the Beethoven symphony, the concert program includes works by Brahms, Verdi, Delius, Sinding and Grieg.

Ryan Heller conducts the Southwest Washington Symphony. Submitted photo.The Symphony’s musical director, Ryan Heller, who took the helm of the Symphony in August, is well known in Portland and at Portland State University. Heller has a degree in conducting from Chapman University and a master’s degree in conducting from Portland State University.

“We are very excited about the concert in Astoria for the Coast communities. The Symphony has many friends at the Coast and quite a few musicians from the Coast who perform with the symphony from time to time,” said Heller.

The Southwest Washington Symphony is a community orchestra composed of 70 musicians from Washington and Oregon. Annually, the symphony performs three concerts at the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts.

“While our focus has been to hold concerts in Longview, the Symphony has wanted to travel to perform at the Coast,” said Heller. Members of the Symphony have also performed with the Little Ballet Orchestra for its annual production of “The Nutcracker.” The Astoria High School stage has also hosted the Oregon Symphony.

“Sharing music and the arts is a wonderful experience, and the Symphony members look forward to visiting the Coast to perform this beautiful Beethoven symphony for Mother’s Day Weekend,” said Heller.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, and are available at Thiel’s Music, 1375 Commercial St. in Astoria, or at the door.