DAVID PERRICO DELIVERS ELECTRIFYING NEW POP SYMPHONIC WITH THE RAIDERETTES

The Smith Center NEWS BLOG, originally posted 4/21/23

After 10 years of selling out Myron’s concerts with his Pop Strings Orchestra and its rollicking pop covers, “I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t work,” says acclaimed trumpeter-composer David Perrico.

For instance, Perrico — known nationally as music director for the Las Vegas Raiders — saw how audiences at his holiday show lit up at a surprise visit from the Raiders’ cheerleaders, the Raiderettes.

And when Perrico filmed a music video at The Smith Center’s spacious Reynolds Hall, he saw how glorious the stage looked when filled with a full symphony.
“Everyone was so jazzed about it,” he recalls. “I thought, ‘maybe we could do a show in here.’”

Building on this vision, Perrico will deliver an epic performance as he’s never done before on July 14 in Reynolds Hall.
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Transforming his traditional ensemble into the Pop Symphonic, Perrico’s large-scale show will feature a tremendous, 68-piece orchestra of top Las Vegas musicians – as well as eight powerhouse vocalists.

To thrill audiences of all musical tastes, the set list will span classical, pop, Latin, ‘70s and ‘80s rock and more, including hits by Foreigner, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé.

The show will also feature celebrity guests… Plus performances by all 32 of the Raiderettes led by Tiphanie McNiff.

“I want to keep this pure Vegas, and I want to give the audience something they can’t see at home,” Perrico says. “It’s a party. I want it to be fun.”

VIRTUOSOS, CELEBRITIES AND RAIDERETTES – OH MY

Perrico vows this show will feature Las Vegas’ most glittering talent.

His Pop Symphonic will showcase musicians who perform with headliners such as Rod Stewart, Shania Twain, Aerosmith and Andrea Bocelli.

“These are all virtuoso musicians,” Perrico assures.

Audiences will also enjoy surprise, big-name artists who have performed at Raiders games, he adds.

Bringing in the Raiderettes proved an easy decision, he notes, as he already customizes music for their dances at Allegiant Stadium.

“They like working with a live band — any dancer will say that,” Perrico says. “I also think the Raiderettes strengthens our presence of the Raiders in the community.”

MAKING CLASSICAL MUSIC FOR THE MASSES

Perrico keeps one goal in mind with his symphonic versions of rock and pop anthems.
He wants to make orchestral music accessible for the general public.

“When you start getting into heavier stuff like Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev, people appreciate it, but might not connect with it,” he explains.

So, he plans to pack his upcoming show with “songs that people can sing,” he says, including symphonic adaptations of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” and Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.”

“My goal is to always connect with the audience,” he says. “This will be very high energy.”
Perrico hopes this will lead to an ongoing series of Pop Symphonic concerts, with themes spanning Disney, The Godfather and James Bond.

“I’m excited, the musicians are excited and the Raiderettes are excited to come together and have this really fun night of music,” he says.
David Perrico Pop Symphonic – Featuring the Raiderettes runs at 7:30 p.m. on July 14. For tickets, CLICK HERE.

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