Wiley to conduct two concerts at Smith Mountain Lake

Courtesy of SMAC

Lakers Philip and Tara Bouknight (above) and violinist Akemi Takayama will perform in separate concerts with RSO Conductor David Wiley.

Two concerts featuring David Stewart Wiley, conductor and artistic director of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, will be presented at the lake by Smith Mountain Arts Council (SMAC) in early September.

On Thursday, Sept. 2, Wiley will be joined by violin virtuoso and RSO concertmaster Akemi Takayama at 7 p.m. at Trinity Ecumenical Parish in Moneta.

The classical concert will include Beethoven's sonata for violin and piano in A minor, "Opus 23"; "Three Piano Preludes" by Ira Gershwin and Joshua Heifetz; two versions of "Spring" from "The Four Seasons" by Antonio Vivaldi and Astor Piazzolla; Massenet's "Meditation" from "Thais"; and the world premier of compositions for violin and piano by Wiley.

On Sunday, Sept. 5, Wiley will be joined by Philip and Tara Bouknight in "For the Love of Broadway" at 3 p.m. at Trinity Ecumenical Parish. Wiley will accompany the Bouknights on piano as they perform such classics as "Stormy Weather," "The Man I Love" and "Over the Rainbow." In addition, they will perform selections from "The Sound of Music," "West Side Story," "South Pacific" and "My Fair Lady."

Both events conclude with a reception to meet the artists.

Tickets may be purchased at the Smith Mountain Lake Visitor's Center at Bridgewater Plaza or by sending a check and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to SMAC, P.O. Box 70, Moneta, VA 24121. Tickets are $20 per person for each concert.

Trinity Ecumenical Parish is located on Virginia 122 at the intersection of Lakemount Drive in Moneta.

For more information about the concerts, call Marty Bowers at 297-0965 or Carolyn Fink at 721-2904. For information about SMAC, contact Betsy Ashton at 297-3585 or e-mail betsy_ashton2005@yahoo.com.