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Richey Community Orchestra announces shows for 2015-16 season

 
Published Sept. 23, 2015

NEW PORT RICHEY — Tickets go on sale Thursday for the 2015-16 season of the Richey Community Orchestra, which will offer a combination of sit-down dinner and open seating shows at two locations starting in November.

"We've done some great stuff in the past, but this year, I'm particularly excited about the shows we'll be doing," said orchestra president Denise Isaacson, who collaborated with director Stephen P. Brown on the season lineup.

It's a bit of a new direction but should be fun, said Brown, who is the yin to Isaacson's yang when it comes to musical genres.

"We both have our strengths, and when we combine them, it really works," Brown said, noting that Isaacson is quite the jazz aficionado, while his strength leans toward classical.

Brown is excited to be kicking off the season with a show paying homage to American icons that will feature the Richey Community Chorus. Also on his favorites list is an April show that will roll out selections from MGM movie musicals, including a 10-minute medley of tunes from The Wizard of Oz.

Isaacson points to this year's holiday dinner show in December as a season highlight. That performance will give a nod to Frank Sinatra the day after what would be his 100th birthday and will feature singer Tom Tiratto, who recently performed with the Southwest Symphony Orchestra in the Chicago area.

"Aside from the fact that I like Sinatra — and who doesn't — we are bringing in an artist that performs throughout the country," Isaacson said. "He's got the look; he's got the sound. It will be wonderful tribute."

Another must see, Isaacson said, is a Spanish classics show in February, featuring classical guitarist Benjamin Pila, who will play the famous Concierto de Aranjuez, written in 1939 by Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo.

"This is truly a special event," she said. "It's certainly rare to have a classical guitarist perform with an orchestra of our level. It's really wonderful to bring this piece of music to New Port Richey, and I hope people will take advantage of it because it's not something you hear live very often."

Contact Michele Miller at mmiller@tampabay.com or call (727) 869-6251. Follow @MicheleMiller52.