WSSO to end season with standards

Tue, May 12, 2009

MUSKEGON — West Shore Symphony Orchestra will close its 2008-09 season May 29-30 with a tribute to the great American standard, featuring Las Vegas showman Steve Lippia.

One of the most prominent and in-demand vocalists in the country, Lippia is also considered to be one of the finest interpreters of classic and traditional pop music in the nation.

"Steve is one of the most sought-after singers around, and he's known to emulate a vocal quality that's familiar in many of the old well-loved crooners," said Scott Speck, music director of West Shore Symphony Orchestra. "He's certainly one of the best at singing the great American standards, especially the types of numbers Frank Sinatra would have sung — 'My Kind of Town,' 'Under My Skin' and 'New York, New York.'"

The traditional, or classic, pop musical form — also known as American standard — embraces the song output of post-World War I Broadway and Hollywood showtune writers like Irving Berlin and George and Ira Gershwin. Known for its enduring popular appeal, memorable melodies and the wit and charm of its lyrics, the genre has been embodied by a remarkable and diverse group of singers, writers and style makers — from jazz pioneers Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington to contemporary performers the likes of Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall and Michael Bublé.

All WSSO concerts take place at Muskegon's Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts beginning at 8 p.m.

Single tickets for pops concerts range from $20 to $41, with discounts for senior citizens and students. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Frauenthal box office or Star Ticket outlets, online at www.starticketsplus.com, or by calling (800) 585-3737.

On the Net:

www.wsso.org