Wheeling Symphony Orchestra To Kick Off ‘Celebrate America!’ Tour July 4 at Heritage Port

Emma Delk

WHEELING -- The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra will share its musical stylings with Wheeling residents and beyond during the annual "Celebrate America!" Fourth of July tour.

This year's tour will begin at Wheeling Heritage Port on July 4 at 8 p.m. when the WSO will play a variety of pieces during the free concert event. The celebration will culminate with the symphony's rendition of the main theme from "Star Wars" as fireworks are set off simultaneously.

"We're going to hear music from Rodgers and Hammerstein, songs like 'Take Me Home Country Roads' and tunes from Broadway musicals such as 'Chicago,'" Maestro John Devlin, WSO music director, said. "I love the idea that we can celebrate what is special about American music over the last 95 years as we celebrate 95 years of the WSO."

After the Heritage Port performance kicks off the tour, the WSO will perform the same musical selections in Weirton, Clarksburg and Canaan Valley from July 5-7.

Devlin explained that each tour stop brings new energy and excitement to audiences. He noted the Canaan Valley crowd brings the "most enthusiasm for the show," with "an entire bus full of folks" from last year's Canaan Valley show making the trip to Wheeling for last year's Symphony on Ice concert.

"That group from Canaan is the perfect example of exactly the type of connection we're hoping to foster with this concert series," Devlin said. "As we develop these relationships and get to know the people in these other communities, we hope to foster a sense of belonging for them here in Wheeling, just as much as we want to foster a sense of belonging for what we do in their community every July."

Guest artist Ben Gulley will join the symphony at all four stops on the "Celebrate America!" Tour. Devlin noted he was particularly excited to hear the tenor perform selections from the "American Tenor Songbook," as Gulley was close with the musicians who developed the work.

WSO Executive Director Sonja Thoms noted that Gulley would add to the "great music" of the concert with his skills as an "internationally acclaimed operatic tenor." She teased that a special guest conductor would also take the stage during "Stars and Stripes Forever."

"This concert will mix American works, patriotic songs and Broadway selections, so there will be something for everyone," Thoms said. "We're just going to have a lot of fun with great music, guest artists and fireworks at the end."

The City of Wheeling will provide the fireworks at the concert through a $60,000 annual contribution to the Heritage Port concert. City Manager Bob Herron noted the importance of supporting the Fourth of July Celebration in Wheeling.

"This is one of the premier summer events in the city because it allows residents to enjoy the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra," Herron said. "On the other hand, it also allows the symphony to show off their talents to the community."

Herron added that about 10,000 attendees will gather to enjoy the "great combination" of the symphony's patriotic pieces and the fireworks.

"When the fireworks go off right at the concert's end, the symphony's show is completed so well," Herron said. "This concert creates a special environment and is a special point for our community."

In addition to the City of Wheeling's sponsorship, other organizations, including the Ohio County Commission, Southwestern Energy, WesBanco Arena and Pepsi, will contribute to the Fourth of July Tour.

Southwestern Energy will sponsor Ben Gulley's addition to the tour. Southwestern Energy Community Relations Manager Stephanie Paluda noted that the company wanted to sponsor the free concert tour so residents across the state could enjoy the symphony.

"When I went down to John Marshall High School to see one of the performances for the Youth Concert Series, I was amazed by how engaged and excited the students were by the opportunity to see the symphony," Paluda recalled. "When this opportunity came, I loved that we were not only providing a free concert in the Wheeling area but also taking celebrations across the state."

In addition to the City of Wheeling and Southwestern Energy's contributions to the Heritage Port concert, Wesbanco Arena will also host a variety of food trucks and activities before the concert begins at 4 p.m. These activities include the Mountain Dew Baja Blast Zone featuring progressive bluegrass band the Plate Scrapers and the Taste of WV Tent providing local craft beer, wine, cider and BBQ for the celebrations.

With next Thursday's concert beginning the WSO's 95th anniversary season, Devlin was excited to "continue the relationship" the symphony has built with Wheeling residents through their free concert events.

"We love that we can bring a style of music to people where they are and free of charge across the state," Devlin said. "We hope they'll return the favor and support us at our shows at the Capitol Theatre."