Orchestral concert event celebrates restoration and features composer Calvin Jones

Orchestral concert event celebrates restoration and features composer Calvin Jones LEAD, SD – The public is invited to attend a special orchestral concert event on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 7:00 pm at the Historic Homestake Opera House (HHOH) at 313 W. Main Street, celebrating the restoration of the second lower wall portion within the theater interior, nicknamed the Ed Ross Wall. This historic performance by American composer/songwriter/pianist Calvin Jones will be accompanied by a 26-member live orchestra featuring musicians from all over the Black Hills and directed by Dr. Christopher Hahn, assistant professor of music at BHSU. The transformation of plasterwork within the theater has continued since January 2017 with the building's namesake, Homestake, carrying it on. The first lower wall project was completed in May 2017 in honor of longtime Homestake Mining Company employee and past SD Senator Jim Dunn and his wife, Betty, who lived in Lead. A second lower wall project is underway to be completed this fall, nicknamed the "Ed Ross Wall." A $10,000 kickoff donation was made for this special project in memory of longtime Homestake electrical engineer and Wyodak mine manager Harold "Ed" Ross. Several other generous donors who also appreciate the building's history, Homestake, performing arts, and the Black Hills are coming forward to assist in this second wall project. "We are very honored to host this historic event," says Sarah Carlson, HHOH executive director. "Many hard-working people from the past and present have continued diligently to get to this pivotal point in bringing the color back in the theater. We're excited to show this results of all of these efforts. It's a thrilling time to get involved and to see the impact of this building on people's lives." Admission to the concert event is $20 for adults, $15 for HHOH members, $10 students age 11 to 17. Tickets are available online, or cash, check, or credit card at the door or by calling the HHOH office at 605-584-2067. The ticket booth opens at 6:00 pm. Seating for this performance is general admission/open seating. Beer, wine, soda, and water will be available for purchase. Calvin Jones is known in many circles as he has traveled extensively doing solo concerts but now performs with orchestras worldwide. The Lead, SD concert will be his first USA concert with an orchestra. Jones has produced the music for organizations included Life Athletes, Promise Keepers, Hallmark, and McDonald's. Jones has worked with major producers and directors producing several film scores, including the music for the hit documentary 2016: Obama's America working with producer Gerald Molen of Schindler’s List, Jurassic Park. Dr. Christopher Hahn will be directing the orchestra. Hahn is the assistant professor of music at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD directing bands and teaching a brass and music history since 2000. Hahn performs frequently in the Black Hills as a classical and jazz trumpet soloist. Hahn also holds a doctorate in Trumpet Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Northern Colorado, and degrees in Music History and Literature from the University of Wyoming and the University of Miami. This presentation is supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the SD Arts Council and the Crane Group. Programming support is provided in part by annual memberships, the Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation, and the City of Lead. The HHOH Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to returning Lead’s Historic Opera House to productive use for the enrichment of the community and to provide cultural opportunities for generations to come. Press photos are available upon request. For more information, contact HHOH Executive Director Sarah Carlson at 605-584-2067 or homestakeoperahouse@gmail.com.