Maestro Marvin Hamlisch will lead the Pittsburgh Symphony Pops in the doo-wop sounds of the 1950s, with special guests The 21st Century Platters at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, in the WVU Creative Arts Centers Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre.

This is the first of three concerts the Pittsburgh Symphony will perform in Morgantown this season.

In 1953, four guys and onecute as a pixiegirl formed the group The Platters under the management of songwriter and producer Buck Ram. One year later, the songOnly Youwas released and became the first of The Plattersmany hits. Buck Ram and his business partner Jean Bennett laterdiscovereda young talent, J Michael. They gave him his first job out of school, singing with the Platters. Since then, J Michael has gone on to become one of the most talented performers and creative musical arrangers. After Buck Rams death in 1991, J Michael received the blessing of Jean Bennett and put together The 21st Century Platters to bring the music of the legendary group into the future.

As composer, Marvin Hamlisch has won every major award: three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, one Tony and three Golden Globe awards. His groundbreaking show,A Chorus Line,received the Pulitzer Prize. He is the composer of more than 40 motion picture scores including his Oscar-winning score and song forThe Way We Wereand his adaptation of Scott Joplin’s music forThe Sting,for which he received a third Oscar. Hamlisch holds the position of Principal Pops Conductor with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

The Torray Symphony Series is presented by the title sponsor Robert and Nancy Torray with additional support from William and Loulie Canady in memory of their daughter Valerie.

Tickets are $38 and are only available through the Pittsburgh Symphony box office. They may be purchased by phone at (800) 743-8560 or online at www.pittsburghsymphony.org . The three-concert subscription package is also still available for $94.50.

Sir Andrew Davis will conduct the Orchestra during the second concert Friday, Dec. 8. The performance will feature violinist Andrés Crdenes and violist Randolph Kelly, in a program that includes Dvorks Symphony No. 9,New World Symphony.

The final concert in the series features conductor Peter Oundjian and piano soloist Yefim Bronfman on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007. Oundjian will lead the Orchestra in a concert of works including Mahlers Symphony No. 1, and Bronfman will perform Beethovens Piano Concert No. 1.

The Program

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 8 p.m.

PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

MARVIN HAMLISCH , conductor

THE 21ST CENTURY PLATTERS

MARVINS FABULOUS 50s

Frank Loesser
Overture to Guys and Dolls Richard Rodgers
Selections from The King and I Miller/Duning arr. Kunzel
Moonglow/Theme from Picnic Robert Wendel
When TV Was Young Leroy Anderson
Clarinet Candy Leroy Anderson
Fiddle Faddle Leroy Anderson
Sandpaper Ballet Leroy Anderson
The Typewriter Max Freedman
Rock Around the Clock

The 21st Century Platters selections will be announced from stage.