The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Presents the 2015-2016 PNC POPS SEASON

Prepare to be amazed! The 2015-2016 PNC Pops season is filled with awe-inspiring music, once-in-a-lifetime spectacles, swoon-worthy romance and so much more.

The season opens with a performance that celebrates the crooners of a bygone era, including those with a Pittsburgh connection, with Sinatra and Beyond with Tony DeSare (October 2-4, 2015). Conductor Jeff Tyzik leads the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and singer, songwriter and pianist Tony DeSare in a program filled with the music of Frank Sinatra, Henry Mancini, Dean Martin and many other favorites.

Experience the passion, romance and tragedy of "West Side Story" (November 6-8, 2015) all over again when the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performs the film's electrifying score while the re-mastered film plays overhead, with the original dialogue and lyrics.

The Pittsburgh holiday tradition Highmark Holiday Pops (December 11-13, 2015; additional performances on Dec. 19 & 20) returns! Guest conductor Daniel Meyer returns to Heinz Hall to lead this festive concert filled with classic carols, seasonal orchestral pieces and cherished holiday tunes performed with an all-star cast of guest artists, including Pittsburgh premiere handbell group, Three Rivers Ringers, and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh. Even Santa will be singing along!

Movie music fans rejoice! Just in time for the Academy Awards, guest conductor Lawrence Loh leads the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Student Chorale in The Ultimate Oscars (February 5-7, 2016), a celebration of the last 50 years of Oscar-winning scores. Please note that film clips are not part of this performance.

Irish eyes will be smiling when The Chieftains (March 18-20, 2016) bring their iconic collection of Irish traditional music to Heinz Hall. Paddy Moloney, Kevin Conneff and Matt Molloy and a host of guest artists from Europe and America will cap off your St. Patrick's Day celebration with favorite songs - like "Shenandoah" and "Did You Ever Go a Courtin' Uncle Joe" - from their 53-year history!

Lift your eyes high above the stage for Cirque de la Symphonie (April 29-May 1, 2016) in their return to Heinz Hall. With a cast featuring the best of cirque artistry - aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers and more - Cirque de la Symphonie creates perfectly choreographed spectacles set to classical masterpieces performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, led by guest conductor Jack Everly.

The 2015-2016 PNC Pops season closes with a concert that offers a peek inside the mind of a prodigious musical talent. The Film Music of Howard Shore (June 24-26, 2016) delves into the award-winning career of composer Howard Shore, including interviews conducted by acclaimed music writer Jon Burlingame and insights from stage with Shore himself. Thrill as the Pittsburgh Symphony performs music from Shore's many films - including "Lord of the Rings," "The Hobbit," "Silence of the Lambs," "Hugo" and many more - bringing the work of this musical giant to life.

Seven-concert season ticket packages range from $129.50 to $659.75, and can be purchased by calling 412-392-4900, or visitingpittsburghsymphony.org. Tickets for individual concerts will go on sale around Labor Day.

Show times on Fridays and Saturdays will be 8 p.m. Sunday matinees will be 2:30 p.m.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra would like to recognize and thank PNC Bank for its 2015-2016 title sponsorship of the PNC Pops, marking PNC Bank's 15th consecutive year as title sponsor of this series. The Pittsburgh Symphony also would like to recognize and thank Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield for its 2015 title sponsorship of Highmark Holiday Pops. Fairmont Pittsburgh is the official hotel of the Pittsburgh Symphony.

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