Windsor’s Harmonic Symphonies

By Joyce St. Antoine

The Windsor Symphony Orchestra opens its 2018-2019 season Saturday.

Since 1941, the orchestra has been performing an array of both classical and popular music. This season will feature performances of diverse music from Mozart to David Bowie and Prince. The season runs from September to May, with a number of concerts.

“The Capitol Theatre is the home of the WSO,” said Giancarlo Mincone, manager in marketing, sales and communications for the WSO.  “It’s really the crown jewel of Downtown Windsor, it’s the cultural hub. The building will be 100 years old in 2020, and it’s beautiful and incredible structure wise and acoustically amazing. It provides a home of culture and art because Windsor gains experience as their main performance area.”

According to the website, The Mission of the Windsor Symphony Orchestra is connecting people of Windsor and Essex County through the power and passion of music.

“There is a lot of opportunity here in the city,” said Mincone. “There is a lot of passionate people here in the city. People that want change and growth and people that want development. People here support each other in different ways I haven’t seen in other cities I’ve lived in.”

WSO’s first official day of performances is performing the popular “West Side Story” at the Capitol Theatre in honour of Leonard Bernstein’s 100th birthday. Patrons can bring cloaks and wands when “Witches & Wizards: The Music Of Harry Potter” is presented in October and in November, the more traditional  “Mozart Double Piano Concerto”.

“I have seen many performances over the last 20 years and I think my favourite performances are the Holiday Pops, especially in the last three years my children’s choir, Music Moves Kids, have been guests and watching those performances are magical.” said Erin Armstrong, a freelance artist who worked with the Symphony.

Armstrong said she formerly worked as a stage director for the performance of “Marriage of Figaro” after auditioning for Maestro Franz for La Boheme but instead of being in the opera, she ended up directing.

“I love the WSO. Personally, I am huge fan and supporter of the people that run the organization,” said Armstrong. “The presence they have in the community, the music they create that inspires me and so many of my students and colleagues. We are so lucky to have such an incredible symphony in Windsor.”

For more information on upcoming performances, call the Capitol Theatre 519 973 1238 ex. 2.