{{tncms-asset app=”editorial” id=”1813eb2e-8525-11e6-9571-ff8cc1ff239e”}}

Overtures, opera and piano features will make up the first WSU Symphony Orchestra concert of the semester tomorrow. This concert will feature WSU vocal performance senior Andrew Turner as he sings three arias accompanied by faculty members Jeff and Karen Savage on piano.

Turner was awarded the opportunity to perform after co-winning the WSU Concerto Competition this winter. He was meant to perform at the end of the year concert for the 2015-2016 school year, but because of scheduling conflicts he agreed to push his performance to this semester.

The WSU Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Danh Pham, the assistant director of bands. This is Turner’s first time singing with an orchestra, and admits that it is a challenge, but he also said it is his favorite part of being a featured artist.

{{tncms-asset app=”editorial” id=”f9803ab4-8524-11e6-8cbf-47eb11cdddc4″}}

“I’m used to following, so having to come in and take a roll of leadership and put your opinion out is new to me,” Turner said. “It takes some real confidence.”

The concert will open with the overture from Rossini’s “The Italian in Algiers.” Turner will then perform his three arias: “Ich baue ganz auf deine Stärke (I Rely Entirely on your Strength)” by Mozart, “Cielo e Mar (Sky and Sea)” by Ponchielli and “La fleur que tu m’avais jetèe (The Flower Song)” by Bizet.

“I love ‘The Flower Song,’ because it’s composed in a way that brings so much emotion and makes the listener think ‘Oh my God, nothing is more beautiful,’” Turner said. “The other piece I love is called ‘Cielo e Mar,’ where I get to sing the biggest and highest note at the end of the song.”

Turner looks forward to closing the concert with Saint-Saens’ “The Carnival of the Animals.” This classical narrative piece will feature Jeff and Karen Savage on piano.

“The Savages are amazing,” Turner said. “They will have you at the edge of your seat.”

The WSU Symphony Orchestra concert featuring Andrew Turner will take place at 8 p.m. tomorrow in the Kimbrough Concert Hall. Admission is free.