The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra will host two special performances this month featuring Grammy nominated vocalist and composer Shara Nova, anchored by the March 20 Masterworks concert titled Her Voice. From left, representing sponsors and the symphony, are Matt Drahos of WesBanco, Daniel Young of Edward Jones, WSO Executive Director Marc Zyla, Wheeling Symphony Auxiliary President Ronna-Renee Jackson and Emily Waters of Riverbridge Wealth Management. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

WHEELING – The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra will welcome Grammy nominated guest artist Shara Nova for two special performances this month.

The week will feature the symphony’s third Masterworks concert of the season on Friday, March 20, titled Her Voice, at the Capitol Theatre.

“It’s going to be a very exciting week,” said WSO Executive Director Marc Zyla. “There are actually going to be two performances – ‘Penelope’ at Towngate Theatre, as well as the Her Voice concert.”

Her Voice will feature Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings” and “The Blue Hour,” a collaborative work by five living composers, including Nova.

“It’s a piece I’m really excited about,” Zyla said. “Shara Nova, who is our guest vocalist, has so much experience outside of the classical music genre. She’s also a trained opera singer, as well, and she’s a master collaborator. I think it’s really exciting for us to be able to bring projects like that to Wheeling to be a part of the fabric of all the great things we have going on in our community.”

Nova will be joined by WSO members earlier that week on Tuesday, March 17, for a “micro-concert” performance of “Penelope” at Towngate Theatre. The “song cycle” is inspired by Homer’s “The Odyssey” but told from a female perspective.

“The other really cool thing about that performance is that it uses a lot of pre-recorded sound effects and things performed live with a small chamber ensemble,” Zyla said. “I think it’s going to be a really great opportunity for people to get up close to WSO musicians and our soloist, as well.”

Ronna-Renee Jackson, president of the Wheeling Symphony Auxiliary – the presenting sponsor for the Her Voice concert, said the theme of this performance strikes a chord with their organization.

“Our mission, of course, is to support the symphony through fundraising and events,” she said. “So a concert titled ‘Her Voice’ really resonates with our members because we are a largely female organization – although we do have male members. But it was really important for us to sponsor this concert in particular just so that we are bringing our voices to support that of the whole symphony.”

Jackson said this Masterworks concert features a little more formal, symphonic selections than some of the WSO’s Pops concerts, but will offer something for everyone to enjoy.

“If you’ve never been to a symphony concert, you’re really missing something special,” Jackson said. “e are so lucky to have a symphony like this in our community that offers a wide array of different styles of music. The music at this particular concert is going to have a really broad appeal. It’s really a great event, and I hope people will buy tickets and come see it.”

For tickets and information for either of the upcoming performances, visit www.wheelingsymphony.com.