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Orchestra to take audience to ‘Far Away Places’

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The Feb. 9 performance of the Washington Symphony Orchestra will take the audience to “Far Away Places” through a variety of musical selections, including some featuring the Washington High School Steel Drum Band with its specialized pan music from the Caribbean.

Selections will include “April in Paris,” “Himalayan Adventure,” overture from Barber of Seville, “Hawaii Five-0,” “Margaritaville” and “Eternal Vow” from “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.”

David Dayton, the Washington High School Band director, will guest conduct the WSO’s February performance with his steel drum band. WSO Conductor Dr. Yugo Ikach is pleased to have Dayton as a guest conductor and to feature the “unique sounds of the pan drums along with the orchestra.”

Before joining the Washington School District more than nine years ago, Dayton was the director of bands and brass instructor for eight years at West Liberty State College, now West Liberty University. Before teaching at West Liberty, he served as assistant band director and choral director at his alma mater, John Marshall High School in Glen Dale, W.Va. Under his direction, the marching band, concert band, jazz band, brass ensemble, concert choir and select ensemble consistently received superior ratings, numerous awards and high honors.

As a trumpet soloist and professional musician, Dayton has performed with the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra and with such noted artists as The Temptations, The Four Aces, Jim Nabors, Engelbert Humperdinck, Johnny Mathis, Lorrie Morgan, Bobby Vinton, Pat Boone, Donna Theodore, Aretha Franklin, Kenny Rogers, Joe Piscapo and Wayne Newton.

Deirdre Skiffington, a senior from Trinity High School, will be the featured oboe soloist on her selection of Jean Francaix’s “L’Horloge de Flore (Flower Clock).” Skiffington, who has played oboe for six years, won the 2012 Young Artist Competition auditions this past December.

Skiffington serves as the president of Trinity’s Tri-M Music Honor Society, as well as performing in the school’s wind ensemble, woodwind quintet and marching band. Additional music involvement includes performing with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony for the past year. She has weekly lessons with Holly White of Music Innovations and a music teacher at Upper St. Clair High School. “My practice schedule is daily for at least an hour, with three to four hours on Saturdays for the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra,” Skiffington said.

Music is her future career goal as she plans to major in music performance at either Duquesne University or West Virginia University when she graduates from high school in June. Her long-term goal is performing. “I would love to play with a symphony orchestra or an ensemble or small group.”

Deirdre is the daughter of Mary Skiffington and the late Gene Skiffington. Her younger brother, Liam, is involved in music as well, playing the bassoon.

Each year, student musicians can compete for the chance to win a $500 prize and the opportunity to perform with the WSO in February by competing in the Young Artist Competition held in December and coordinated by William Galvin, a WSO musician and retired Trinity band director.

Tickets for the 8 p.m. concert are available in advance by calling 724-223-9796 or visiting www.washsym.org. Tickets are also available at the door the evening of the performance.

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