PSO Presents Tribute to Bygone Radio Days of the '40s, February 21-22

PORTLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS A TRIBUTE TO VOCAL GROUPS AND BIG BAND MUSIC OF THE 1940s, FEBRUARY 21-22 PORTLAND, Maine ’Äì For a musical time capsule tribute to the bygone radio days of the 1940s, guest conductor Charlaes Latshaw leads the Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO) and special guest ensemble "Five By Design" in a PSO POPS! retro concert production, "Radio Days." The concerts will be held at Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle Street in Portland, Saturday, February 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 22 at 2:30 p.m. Paying tribute to the vocal groups and big bands of the 1940s, the PSO will be joined by "Five By Design," one of the nation's leading symphony pops artists and interpreters of the American popular song. The Minneapolis-based international touring artists' Kennedy Center debut with the National Symphony was heralded by the Washington Post as "one of the best pops programs of the season." Combining their signature harmonies with vintage fashions, stage and lighting design, and a captivating storyline, they'll perform music by the likes of Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey with segments from vintage serials, comedies, and quiz shows. The PSO and Five By Design will be led by Guest Conductor Charles Latshaw, a vibrant and versatile young artist currently serving as Music Director of the Bloomington (Indiana) Symphony Orchestra, Assistant Conductor of the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, and Music Director of the Columbus Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Maestro Latshaw made his debut with the Indianapolis Symphony in March 2008, and will be making guest-conducting appearances in several cities across the United States during the 2008-09 season. The Saturday evening concert begins at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m. Tickets range from $17-$62 and are sold through PortTix at (207) 842-0800 or www.porttix.com. New this year, the website offers real-time online seat selection. Phone and internet orders are subject to $5-per-ticket handling fees. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the box office at 20 Myrtle St., Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. For complete season information, including artist biographies and program notes, visit www.portlandsymphony.com.