Out & About: WSO, SAMA-Ligonier Valley host music under the stars

Shirley McMarlin
Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023 12:01 a.m. | Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023 12:01 a.m.

Go Ad-Free Today!

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra Artistic Director Daniel Meyer (left) with Ligonier Country Club General Manager Bill Elliott at the symphony’s “Ligonier Under the Stars,” presented by the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley, on Aug. 20 at the country club.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

A Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra brass quintet plays ABBA’s “Mamma Mia” during “Ligonier Under the Stars,” presented by the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley, on Aug. 20 at Ligonier Country Club.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Cheryl Mitchell (left) of Erie, Pam and Bill Stablein (second from left and right) of Ligonier and Todd Stablein of Vail, Colo. (third from left), at Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s “Ligonier Under the Stars,” presented by the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley, on Aug. 20 at Ligonier Country Club.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Audrey and Geoffrey Monsour of Unity at Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s “Ligonier Under the Stars,” presented by the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley, on Aug. 20 at Ligonier Country Club.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Joyce McIntire (left) with Nancy and Tom Donchez, all of Ligonier, at Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s “Ligonier Under the Stars,” presented by the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley, on Aug. 20 at Ligonier Country Club.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Tom Abraham and Michaelene McWhinney, both of Greensburg, at Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s “Ligonier Under the Stars,” presented by the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley, on Aug. 20 at Ligonier Country Club.

Shirley McMarlin | Tribune-Review

Anne and Marty Farb of Latrobe and Vero Beach, Fla., at Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra’s “Ligonier Under the Stars,” presented by the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley, on Aug. 20 at Ligonier Country Club.

It’s not the same-old, same-old when the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra collaborates with the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley for “Ligonier Under the Stars.”

The musicians ditched the Bach and Beethoven for classic rock hits for the third annual benefit concert on Aug. 20 at Ligonier Country Club in Ligonier Township.

Previous themes were movie music and the British Invasion, said WSO Artistic Director Daniel Meyer.

The idea is to give the audience something fun and unexpected, said Bill Elliott, general manager of the country club.

“It’s becoming quite a thing,” Meyer added.

About 250 guests gathered for salad, pizza and ice cream prior to the concert, taking seats on the rolling greens with a picture-perfect view of the Chestnut Ridge at their backs.

A brass quintet kicked things off, rocking out on numbers like Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The music continued as the sun set, also featuring strings and a percussion section.

Adding to the fun were a 50/50 raffle and an auction with prizes including symphony tickets, a golf club package, gift baskets and a painting created just for this event by local artist Rita Haldeman.

Seen: WSO Executive Director Natalie Kasievich, SAMA-Ligonier Valley site coordinator Kristin Miller, Joseph and Allana Kondisko, Rich Lopretto and Phyllis Bertok, Terry Graft and Linda Brown, Jo Rossi, Bill and Pam Stablein, Cheryl Mitchell, Todd Stablein, Tom and Nancy Donchez and Joyce McIntire.

Also, Geoffrey and Audrey Monsour, Chris and Carolyn Turner, Michaelene McWhinney, Tom Abraham, Clare Kaczmarek, Chris Ferraro and Alyssa Barzanty, Steve and Terri Jupena, Nancy Mitchell, Patsy Beggs, Carol Romano, Marty and Anne Farb, Larry and Pat Smitley, Ed and Darlene Elliott and Steve, Jackie and Ashley Samek.