Pops! is planned Saturday

The Augusta Symphony will end its 2005-06 season with a free finale in Evans called Pops! Under the Stars.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to give a gift to the community, to show off the symphony," said Sandra Self, the symphony's executive director. "It is really our sort of end of the season thank you very much, come and have fun."

The second annual concert is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the University Medical Center off Belair Road at University Parkway. In case of rain, the concert will be moved to West Acres Baptist Church at 555 Gibbs Road in Evans.

An estimated 3,000 people attended the inaugural free outdoor concert in 2005, which was the season-ending performance in honor of the symphony's 50th anniversary.

"We're hoping everybody will come out and enjoy it even more. It is a lot of fun," Self said. "It's a wonderful time. People just seem (last year) to really have a great time."

The performance features the entire symphony, directed by maestro Donald Portnoy, performing The Star-Spangled Banner, selections from Phantom of the Opera and The Sound of Music, the music of Astor Piazzolla and Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

Soprano Tonya Currier will perform Puccini's O Mio Babbino Caro, So in Love from Kiss Me Kate, and Summertime from Porgy and Bess.

Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold will perform during the 30-minute intermission, when drawings for prizes also will be held, Self said.

Tickets for next year's symphony performances also will be on sale.

"We're excited about it," Self said. "We love it ... It is a great way to end the season."

Guests are invited to bring blankets and picnics for the lawn concert, but refreshments will be on sale.

Self said the concert, sponsored by University Health Care and the Columbia County Community and Leisure Services Division, exposes the symphony to people who might not otherwise gain access to it and will hopefully attract music lovers to the performances of the symphony's other series - Pops!, Masterworks and Family series.

Self said the free season-ending concert will not be the only symphony performance in Columbia County.

"Actually, the symphony is moving a series of concerts to the Columbia County performing arts center next year," Self said, "Because we love that little hall. We're excited about it."

For more information on the free concert, contact the symphony at (706) 826-4705 or by e-mail at marketing@augustasymphony.org.