PSO to present patriotic concert in Uniontown to benefit at-risk students
When Linda Smith began making plans last fall for the summer outreach concert presented by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in Uniontown, her thoughts turned to Sept. 11 and the war on terrorism. In the wake of the tragic events and the mood sweeping the nation, Smith, executive director of Communities in Schools of Southwest Pennsylvania Inc., said selecting a patriotic theme seemed like the only decision to make.
“I think because of 9-11, and the fact that everyone wants to get into the patriotic spirit of things, it made perfect sense to go with the patriotic theme,” she said. “It seems to go with the mood of the country right now. The PSO will be playing March music and traditional patriotic music that will be nice for the concert goers because the event is being held close to the Fourth of July.”
The outreach concert entitled “A Patriotic Summer’s Night Concert” will benefit at-risk students served by Communities in Schools and will be held at 8 p.m. Sunday, July 14, at the Laurel Highlands High School auditorium.
Lucas Richman, the PSO assistant conductor, will lead the symphony when they perform “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Victory at Sea” among other patriotic selections. Smith said each person will be handed a small commemorative American flag as they enter the auditorium that they can wave during the concert and then take home with them as a souvenir.
Susan Shoemaker, administrative assistant for Communities in Schools, worked with Rob Davidson, a PSO representative, to create the patriotic theme.
“The PSO representatives are always very cooperative, and they make sure that we get some input into the type of music that they will be presenting,” Shoemaker said. “They were very receptive to our idea of creating a patriotic theme for the concert, and they worked with us to make it happen.”
Smith said the event marks the ninth year that the entire PSO has traveled to Fayette County. Almost 900 people attended last year’s concert, and she is hoping that the event will attract a similar crowd this year. The auditorium seats an estimated 1,000 people.
The concert normally attracts a cross-section of Fayette County residents, including families with children, couples, senior citizens and students, because the tickets are reasonably priced, according to Shoemaker.
“A family of two adults and two children only have to pay $34 to hear the entire symphony and enjoy the ice cream social and entertainment following the concert,” Shoemaker said. “We do have people who call us months ahead of time to ask when the concert is going to be held because they attend it every year. People like the concert because they can see the entire PSO, and they don’t have to travel all the way to Pittsburgh, fight the heavy traffic and try to find a parking space.”
In keeping with a long-running tradition, guests will be treated to a complimentary old-fashioned ice cream social located in the outdoor courtyard immediately following the concert. Local entertainment will be provided by The Dutch Treat, a Uniontown-based barbershop quartet while guests have an opportunity to mingle with PSO musicians.
“People really enjoy the ice cream social following the concert,” Smith said. “It gives them a chance to see the musicians up-close and personal, and it’s very nice. The musicians will discuss anything. They are down-to-earth people, and they like to mingle with the crowd. I’m sure the musicians are pretty tired after the concert is over because there is only one short intermission. It’s a lot of intense playing.”
The first PSO outreach concert was presented in Uniontown in 1993, according to Smith. Jean Smith, one of the board members for Communities in Schools, was driving to Pittsburgh when she heard a commercial on the radio about the outreach concerts.
“Jean Smith went over to see the PSO, and she talked to them about the possibility of coming to Uniontown to present an outreach concert,” she said. “Uniontown is the farthest point that they will travel so we feel very fortunate that the PSO agrees to come every year.”
All proceeds benefit Communities in Schools, a countywide non-profit organization whose mission is to provide supportive services to help young people successfully learn, stay in school and prepare for life. Last year, Communities in Schools served more than 4,000 at-risk students in kindergarten through 12th grade in all six Fayette County school districts. The agency also covers six school districts in Westmoreland County and one each in Greene and Washington counties.
Smith said she is hoping that the concert will raise between $8,000 and $10,000 to benefit Communities in Schools this year.
“We usually come pretty close to reaching that goal, and we’re hoping that we will raise that much money again this year,” she said. “The money all goes to the services that we offer for at-risk kids. We have programs for elementary and high school students. We also operate the Success Academy at the Uniontown Mall. We provide the dropout recovery program, after-school programs for children who live in the public housing projects and summer programs for kids. We work with kids to help them remain in school and to help them to become successful in life. We want them to think about employment and what they want to do with their lives to help them to become productive citizens.”
Tickets for the PSO concert can be purchased at outlets throughout the Fayette County area, including Ellis Music Store, the Lodge at Chalk Hill, Uniontown Mall Customer Service Desk, Youghiogheny Station in Connellsville and the Communities in School office. Prices are $5 for students, $10 for senior citizens ages 60 and older, $12 for general admission and $30 for patron priority seating, which is located in the front rows of the auditorium. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 724-437-2540.