Tonight we have details of the West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ upcoming concerts – first noted here in our coverage of the WSCO gala last month. Their official announcement, out of the WSB inbox tonight:

May 8: Stepping into Spring featuring the WSCO Debut and Intermediate Orchestras, 6:30 pm, Chief Sealth International High School.

A multifaceted show highlighting our youngest players just beginning to adults taking up instruments for the first time or after an extended absence. We are so proud of these musicians’ growth and improvement. The Debut Orchestra will show off their new skills in Sword Dance, a march and “Ode to Joy” featured in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. The Intermediate Orchestra will shine through “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Together, both groups will add sparkle to the night with an enthusiastic rendition of the “Can Can.” Also on the program will be a very special performance of the WSCO Trombone Quartet, performing “A Song for Japan,” a gorgeous piece written to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the 2011 tsunami.

May 15: Classic to Contemporary with the Symphony Orchestra, 7:00 pm, Chief Sealth International High School

Classics, contemporary works and a world premiere – a full night of symphonic music awaits. Our Symphony Orchestra, with 50 + members, will play Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony’s gorgeous second movement, Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess”, Copland’s “Hoe-Down” and Stravinsky’s “Danse Infernale” – the Firebird Suite. Two debut works will round out the program including “A Song for Japan” featuring the WSCO Trombone Quartet and “Fantasies and Fugues” composed by the Symphony’s conductor and West Seattle resident, Rob Duisberg, Ph.D.

Admission to both concerts is free, donations welcome at the door. West Seattle Community Orchestra’s vision is to inspire an enjoyment of music-making through instruction and mentoring in mixed age ensembles culminating in quality group performances. Participation in the West Seattle Community Orchestras is offered free of charge to all students K-12.

For more information on WSCO: www.wscorchestras.org