HUNTINGTON — The Huntington Symphony Orchestra has announced that, as part of its “Be Part of Your Community” campaign, special pricing will be offered to clubs, churches, schools, civic organizations other groups in the Tri-State area for the next two performances.

Groups may contact the HSO and receive a very special offer of buy one ticket at regular price and their second ticket will be just $5.

Tickets are on sale now from $18 to $31.

The next concert is set for Saturday, Feb. 13, when the symphony will perform “Ellis Island: Dream of America.”

Accompanying the nearly 50-member-strong orchestra will Beth McVey, Clint McElroy, Bill Neal and Amy Knell.

“Ellis Island: The Dream of America” was born out of Peter Boyer’s fascination with the relationship between history and music.

“I’m drawn to good stories— especially stories which come from the past but are relevant to the present —  and as an orchestral composer, I’m intrigued by the potential of the orchestra as a storytelling medium,” Boyer said in a press release.

While researching the piece, Boyer studied the Ellis Island Oral History Project, a collection of interviews, housed at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, with immigrants who were processed at Ellis Island during the years of its operation. Begun in 1973, the project now contains more than 2,000 interviews.

The decision to use texts from the Ellis Island Oral History Project meant that the work would require actors. They deliver monologues in the first person.

“Ellis Island: The Dream of America” was commissioned by The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, in celebration of the inaugural season of its Belding Theatre.

It was premiered by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, with a cast of actors directed by Martin Charnin, at The Bushnell on April 9, 2002.

To purchase a ticket, you may call 304-781-8343, or stop by the new HSO administrative offices at 763 3rd Ave. or www.huntingtonsymphony.org.

Toril Lavender/For The Herald-Dispatch

Beth McVey will join performers Clint McElroy, Bill Neal and Amy Knell during the Huntington Symphony Orchestra's presentation of ÒEllis Island: Dream of America" on Saturday, Feb. 13.

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