--Valdosta, Ga. -- February 18, 2012 --

The Valdosta Symphony Orchestra is performing "Symphonie Fantastique" featuring internationally known harpist Heidi Van Hoesen Gorton.

The show will be conducted by Edward Cummings, Director of Orchestral Activities for the Hartt School.

Cummings and Gorton have known each other since she was 12. He had previously worked with her mother who plays harp with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

Gorton has played around the world from New York to Los Angeles to Vienna. She recently joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as Principle Harp.

When asked about the piece tonight at the Whitehead Auditorium she said "It's been a piece in my repertoire for a long time. My mother actually is a harpist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and she's been my teacher from age 7 to 18 and I was able to work with her on this piece when I was younger and than again via Skype recently."

The show is Saturday night at 8PM at the Whitehouse Auditorium. Tickets can be purchased at the door.