MEDIA RELEASE MEDIA CALL: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, January 10, 2014 American Idol stars showcase their vocal talents as 11:00 am - 11:30 am they take the stage for WSO's Symphony Idol MEDIA: For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact: Sarah Panas, Marketing & Communications Co-ordinator, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, at 204.949.3970 or [email protected]. Winnipeg, MB - January 7, 2014 - Starting on January 10, three American Idol finalists will light up the Centennial Download the Concert Hall for the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra Air 2013/2014 season Canada Pops Symphony Idol, a three show spectacular guide here. accompanied by the symphonic sounds of the WSO. The WSO is integral A top four finalist on the 2007 season of American Idol, to Winnipeg's rich LaKisha Jones has a voice to be reckoned with. After cultural life, delighting American Idol wrapped, LaKisha segued to the Broadway more than 100,000 stage in the Oprah Winfrey produced, Tony Award-winning audience members each year with musical, The Color Purple. She then went on to record her innovative debut album So Glad I'm Me, released in 2009. She is a programming and soulful singer influenced by Whitney Houston, Aretha musical excellence. Franklin and Patti Labelle. LaKisha is no stranger to the The WSO presents WSO. She performed at the WSO Broadway Rocks pops educational programs concert in March of 2012 and is back by popular demand. for more than 25,000 students annually and tours outside the city reaching out to communities across Manitoba. Click the above image to watch LaKisha sing And I'm Telling You. Haley Scarnato was a top contestant on the same season as LaKisha. Her strong country roots are prominent in her performances. Her repertoire includes singing the national anthem at the Western Conference basketball semifinals and at Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference First Round in 2009. She released a country single in 2012 called How I Feel. Watch: Haley sing 'True Colors' Matt Giraud, a fifth place finalist on the 2008 season of American Idol, was the first recipient of the notorious Judges' Save. He continues to tour the world, most recently playing with some of the top symphonies in America. Matt has also found success on iTunes with his cover of You Don't Know Me, a duet with Anna Wilson, hitting number 1 on the iTunes Jazz Chart in 2010. Watch: Matt sing 'Let's Get it On' on the Ellen show Concertgoers will enjoy a set list that includes jazz, classic rock and popular music. From power ballads like My Heart Will Go On and I Will Always Love You to toe tapping tunes like Don't Stop Believin' and Stayin' Alive, this is a multifaceted show that incorporates numerous music genres on one stage, all accompanied by the WSO. Simon, Randy and Paula would be proud! For artist biographies click here to download Overture Issue 3. Join us for Musicians In The Making, a pre-concert performance on the Piano Nobile begins 45 minutes prior to concert. Friday, January 10 - University of Manitoba Desautels Faculty of Music Winter Horns Saturday, January 11 - Canadian Mennonite University School of Music Sunday, January 12 - University of Manitoba Desautels Faculty of Music Advanced Opera Studies Symphony Idol Friday, January 10 - 8:00 PM Saturday, January 11 - 8:00 PM Sunday, January 12 - 2:00 PM Centennial Concert Hall Julian Pellicano, conductor LaKisha Jones, vocalist Haley Scarnato, vocalist Matt Giraud, vocalist Individual Concert Tickets start at $27.00 and are available through Ticketmaster: 1.855.985.ARTS or Ticketmaster.ca; or at the WSO Box Office: 204.949.3999 or wso.ca. Pops Series Sponsor: Presenting Media Sponsor: -30- .