Wheeling Symphony Orchestra To Present ‘Symphonic Soul’ Concert at Capitol

Eric Ayres

WHEELING - The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra returns next weekend for a powerhouse performance of Memphis classics during a soulful Pops concert on Friday, Feb. 17, at the Capitol Theatre.

Before the show - dubbed Symphonic Soul - the WSO will also play host to a special Business After Hours presented by the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce upstairs in the Capitol Theatre Ballroom.

The second Pops concert of the symphony’s 2022-23 season will bring special guests to Wheeling, as well. Grammy nominated artist Ryan Shaw will return to the Capitol to perform soul hits, and the show will feature Morgan James and the Memphis Sound. A recording artist and Broadway star, James and her band will belt out an array of soulful sounds interwoven with symphonic flair.

"I premiered this show last year with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and as soon as I got back to Wheeling, I said ‘this has to come here to our city’ because it’s such a spectacular evening," said WSO Music Director John Devlin. "You’re going to hear soul hits from Elvis Presley, Otis Redding ... we have so much in store."

There will be everything from classic fan favorites to original pieces presented during the concert. The show offers an exciting return to Wheeling for Shaw, who sang in 2019 during Devlin’s first concert as music director of the Wheeling Symphony - a tribute to the great Aretha Franklin.

"This is definitely going to be a high-energy show," Devlin said. "Both Ryan and Morgan love entertaining the audience. They interact with them throughout, and the best part of the evening -- at least from my perspective -- is when they sing some duets together. It’s going to be phenomenal."

Devlin added that he and the symphony are excited about their partnership with the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce and look forward to the Business After Hours event, which will take place in the Capitol Theatre Ballroom upstairs from 5-7 p.m. that night before the concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

"We think it’s going to be a great way to mix business and pleasure - so to speak - together," said Mike Howard, vice president of membership, events and education for the Wheeling Chamber. "We’re excited about starting this partnership."

The pre-concert gathering - like most of the Chamber’s Business After Hours events - will be open to Chamber members and non-members, as well, so the general public is invited to register ahead of time. The $15 ticket for Business After Hours registration includes an $11 voucher for a ticket to the show.

It’s a perfect opportunity for everyone to get out for the evening - especially for anyone who either has not caught a show by the symphony for a while or for those interested in finding out about fun ways to network with the array of local business people who are involved with the Chamber.

"If you’ve not been to the symphony or if you’d like to know more about the Wheeling Chamber, come out and join us Friday night," Howard said. "We’ll have a lot of people here at the Capitol Music Hall Ballroom for the Business After Hours, and the concert is about 30 minutes after that. It’s going to be a fantastic night."

To register for the Chamber’s Business After Hours, visit wheelingchamber.com/events. To purchase tickets for the concert only, visit wheelingsymphony.com, call 304-232-6291, email boxoffice@wheelingwymphony.com or stop by the box office at 1025 Main St. Tickets prices start at $11.