Over the centuries, tribal elders, parents, and grandparents have passed on cultural heritage and wisdom through storytelling around the bonfire or late at night to send their children to sleep and dreamland.
In the first concert of their 48th season, Salem Symphonic Winds celebrates the aural tradition of storytelling with musical versions of these stories, composed by several of their favorite composers.
On October 22 Paz García and Arturo Sarmiento will narrate the concert Magical Tales in Spanish.
Jeff Witt will narrate the October 23 concert in English. Both shows will present two ghost stories just in time for Día de los Muertos and Halloween.
Salem Symphonic Winds will premiere a new arrangement of The Legend of La Llorona by Larry Harrington, and perform The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by James Stephenson, both set to music for dramatic effect.
The Salem Symphonic Winds, conducted by John Skelton, includes many musicians from the mid-Willamette Valley. This performance will be the first in their 48th season, which will be performed in the new Rose Auditorium at South Salem High School.
Both the Spanish and English concerts will start at 3 p.m. Doors open for seating at 2 p.m.
John Skelton will offer a free pre-concert talk about the music and the 48th season at 2:15 p.m. General admission tickets are available with pricing for youth, adults, and seniors. A reserved seating option is also available. The band will include large woodwind and brass sections, piano, string bass, harp, and an expanded variety of percussion instruments.
More information and tickets are available at www.SalemSymphonicWinds.org or by calling (503) 362-0485.