Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Presents THE WIZARD OF OZ This Weekend

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra presents The Wizard of Oz led by guest conductor Sarah Hicks this weekend, April 12-13, 2014, at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. The film will be screened with original vocals intact accompanied by a live performance of the musical score.

Following the Saturday evening performance is the Emerald City Soiree, an evening of film and festivities to benefit the MSO. Following the film at the Marcus Center, guests are invited to the InterContinental Hotel for gourmet dining, drinks, raffle, auction, and dancing. General admission is $300, or $250 for young professionals, and guests may RSVP to Deb Ruesch at 414.226.7810.

The Sunday performance includes pre-concert family activities beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the Anello Atrium, including an instrument petting zoo, composer station, and conductor station. Activities are sponsored by Forte Volunteer League.

ABOUT THE ARTIST
Sarah Hicks, noted in The New York Times as part of "a new wave of female conductors in their late 20s through early 40s," has a versatile and vibrant musicianship that has secured her place in "the next generation of up-and-coming American conductors." In October 2009, she was named principal conductor of pops and presentations of the Minnesota Orchestra; in addition to conducting most Pops and Special Presentations, she is instrumental in creating new Pops productions, while also heading the innovative series "Inside the Classics" and "Common Chords." Hicks concurrently holds the position of staff conductor at the Curtis Institute of Music.

In 2012, Ms. Hicks premiered the San Francisco Symphony's new Disney Pixar production for symphony orchestra, which she will also premiere in Europe next spring. The preceding season she conducted a two-month European tour of "Symphonicity" with Sting and appeared at the 2012 World Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, conducting the St. Petersburg Philharmonic. This summer she appeared with Josh Groban in a Fireworks Spectacular on July 4 at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Ms. Hicks has guest conducted extensively both in the United States and abroad. This season, she conducts Pittsburgh, Pacific, Cincinnati, Victoria, Alabama, and Grand Rapids symphonies; the Boston Pops; and the Las Vegas Philharmonic. A committed proponent of the performance of new music, Ms. Hicks conceived the Musical Microcommission Project, an initiative to bring a major new work to the stage with funding via hundreds of "micro" donations from music lovers across Minnesota and beyond.

ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE

The Wizard of Oz - Film with Orchestra
Sarah Hicks, conductor
Uihlein Hall, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts Saturday, April 12 | 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 13 | 2:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $25-$105. For more information, please call 414.291.7605 or visit mso.org. Tickets may also be purchased through the Marcus Center Box Office at 414.273.7206.

Emerald City Soiree
InterContinental Hotel | 139 East Kilbourn St. General admission: $300
Young professionals (45 and under): $250

Ticket price include performance tickets, dinner, drinks, and dancing. RSVP to Deb Ruesch at 414.226.7810 or forte@mso.org. Proceeds benefit the MSO. Event details at mso.org.

ABOUT THE MSO

Ranked among the top orchestras in the country, the MSO is the largest cultural institution in Wisconsin. Since its inception in 1959, the orchestra has received critical acclaim for artistic excellence. The orchestra's 80 full-time professional musicians perform more than 135 concerts each season. A cornerstone organization in Milwaukee's arts community, the MSO provides enrichment and education activities for audiences of every age, economic status, and background.

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