Sunday, September 14th was an evening made to order. The weather cooperated perfectly—warm, around 80—setting a stage that felt cinematic before a single note was played. The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, in full force, took the stage at Elizabeth Brown Memorial Park in Wytheville for a one-of-a-kind concert facilitated by the Millwald Theatre. Several hundred people gathered; my wife and I were among them, enjoying a rare date night. After a satisfying meal at Burger Express on Main Street, we strolled along the beautifully bricked Heritage Walk toward the park. By the time we arrived, twilight had settled in, and the mood was just right.
The concert, in two acts lasting about 67 minutes in total, opened with the stirring strains of The Star-Spangled Banner, featuring the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Maestro David Stewart Wiley, who leads the Roanoke Symphony, greeted the audience with warmth.
“We are honored to be your orchestra,” he said. “We are an ensemble whose geographic reach is among the largest in Virginia.”
What followed was a program that wove together patriotic fare, popular film scores, and adventurous percussion—all delivered under a spacious, open sky.
One of the evening’s most inventive features was the group Plastic Music, who served up drums made of plastic and sticks fashioned from drain-pipe, along with boomwhackers—tubular percussion instruments pitched to different notes. Their work in In the Hall of the Mountain King shone: those unusual instruments added texture and surprise, carrying through later numbers as a recurring highlight.
Next came a five-minute medley from Titanic (1997), composed by James Horner. The Roanoke Symphony tackled both the sweeping oceanic beginning and the impending danger of the iceberg, building toward the iconic My Heart Will Go On. Principal oboist William P. Parrish Jr. was featured beautifully in that latter part; his clarion tone added poignancy to the melody.
Patriotic tunes held center stage next: a spirited pairing of Yankee Doodle and You’re a Grand Old Flag, presented under the banner of Star-Spangled Spectacular by George M. Cohan. Later, they performed God Bless America and an Armed Forces salute. These numbers were colored by the rich voice of Mayar Moneir, who also delivered stirring renditions of You’ll Never Walk Alone, Feeling Good, and even Dolly Parton’s Jolene—a nod to country classicism amid the evening’s eclectic mix.
The first act wound down around the 45-minute mark; the second, shorter roughly 20 minutes, opened in striking fashion with Gioachino Rossini’s William Tell Overture, once again featuring Plastic Music’s boomwhackers.
One of the evening’s climaxes came with a rendition of Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir, featuring a blistering electric guitar solo by Mike Havens. Maestro Wiley had high praise.
“Mike is a wonderful educator, a great guitar player, and an all-around wonderful human being,” he said.
Another highlight was The Raiders March from Raiders of the Lost Ark, John Williams’s adventurous and instantly recognizable theme from the 1981 film. It opens with a bold brass fanfare, has sweeping strings, woodwinds, and the sort of rhythmic drive that captures both daring and grandeur. It’s classic Williams—heroic, cinematic, and full of energy.
Toward the end of the program, the audience was treated to Alexander Borodin’s Finale from Polovsian Dances, a suite from the 19th century opera, Prince Igor. A Russian composer by night, Borodin serves as a chemist at his day job.
Maestro Wiley also took time to reflect on the community and connections. He spoke of Wytheville’s history of collaboration with the Roanoke Symphony, citing Wytheville as the hometown of Ashley Hall, who got her start in the Youth Symphony and later joined Canadian Brass. He also praised Dolly Parton—not simply for her songs, but for her generosity, particularly her Imagination Library, which has given widely to her home region.
In summary, Emily and I enjoyed a very special evening. We are deeply grateful to the Millwald Theatre, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, and Elizabeth Brown Memorial Park—not just for the beautiful atmosphere but for the unforgettable artistry. It was a night we will always treasure. I also want to thank friends at the Millwald—Mastin Paisley, Donnie Bales—for making sure I was part of this event. Supporting what they bring to our community is one of the highlights of my life and career.
