Concert series to close

Classical favorites will take center stage Thursday as the Augusta Symphony puts on the fourth and final concert of its Columbia County Music Series.

//

The concert features Augusta Virtuosi, the symphony's premier strong orchestra, performing classical standards including Mozart's Divertimento in F Major, Elgar's Serenade, Corigliano's Variations on a Theme of Tchaikovsky and Britten's Simple Symphony.

"Every piece is something that everyone can recognize and identify with," said Sandra Self, the executive director of the Augusta Symphony.

The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center inside the Columbia County Library on North Belair Road in Evans.

Self said two of the concerts featured musicians from outside the symphony - Copeland's Appalachian Spring and Walton's Facade: An Entertainment with reciter on Nov. 4 and the Georgia Guitar Quartet on March 3. The second concert spotlighted the symphony's strong and woodwind ensembles.

Self said that because attendance has been high at the concert series and the annual Pops! Under the Stars free outdoor concert, she's involved in planning more concerts and special events for Columbia County.

"We'd love to bring more," she said, adding that the first three concerts of the series were nearly or completely sold out.

Tickets for Thursday's series finale concert cost $20.

They can be purchased at the door, by visiting www.augustasymphony.org or by calling (706) 826-4705.