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Pro-Art Launches 49th Season with 13th Annual Symphony by The Lake at UVA Wise

Musical instruments

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise) is proud to host one of the region’s most anticipated summer traditions as the Pro-Art Association launches its 49th season with the 13th annual Symphony by the Lake. This beloved event returns to the Lawn by the Lake at UVA Wise on Saturday, July 26 at 8:15 p.m., offering a spectacular Celtic Celebration under the stars, presented by Symphony of the Mountains.

Held in the heart of campus, the concert is free and open to the public with an open invitation to the region to gather, celebrate the arts and experience the vibrant cultural life at UVA Wise. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets and enjoy an evening of music, community and Highland spirit.

This year’s program blends the energy of Celtic folk with the grandeur of orchestral music, showcasing Bristol Lightning—Dave Eggar (cello), Phil Faconti (guitar) and Antony Blake Collins (mandolin)—alongside special guests Pat Mangan (Irish fiddle), Kirsten Agresta Copley (harp) and Conor Coleman (bodhrán & Irish percussion). The evening promises stirring bagpipes, haunting ballads, fiery fiddles and lush orchestral arrangements under the baton of Cornelia Laemmli Orth.

Symphony of the Mountains’ commitment to service encompasses the entire region, without regard for state or county boundaries. The orchestra consists of more than 70 professional musicians conducted by Cornelia Laemmli Orth. For more information about the symphony and to see a list of upcoming performances, please visit symphonyofthemountains.org.

Pro-Art’s 49th season offers an array of dance, from ballet and street to flamenco and Native American traditional, musical experiences that weave across genre, highlighting blues, jazz, beatboxing, old time, Celtic and classical, the famed Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, and theater and cultural programs to expand the palate and open the mind. Explore the season and reserve tickets at proartva.org. Season tickets are valid for all performances of the 49th season and can be purchased online, in person at any show, or by calling (276) 376-4520. Pro-Art is committed to making the arts accessible to everyone, if price is a barrier of entry to you, please contact us for available resources.

Pro-Art partners with a variety of venues, for accessibility inquiries or general questions, call (276) 376-4520 or email pro-art@uvawise.edu. For weather related updates, patrons are encouraged to check proartva.org for real-time information. In the event of inclement weather, the Symphony by the Lake will be moved to the David J. Prior Convocation Center at UVA Wise.

This performance is made possible in part by the Marvin and Marcia Gilliam Foundation. Pro-Art is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as the C. Bascom Slemp Foundation, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Mountain Empire Community College, the Columbus Phipps Foundation, and the Lee County Community Foundation.