Features Editor

One of the most popular performances on the Troy Council on the Arts and Humanities’ calendar of events in recent years has been Mac Frampton and the Hollywood Hills Orchestra.

Frampton and his orchestra are coming back to Troy as one of this year’s events and will be in concert at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Claudia Crosby Theater.

"Heart and Soul – Great Love Songs of the Fifties" is the title of the program and it’s a wonderful way to continue the celebration of Valentine’s Day.

"This is going to be an outstanding performance," said Bobbie Swisher, publicity chairperson for the arts council. "Everyone who has heard Mac Frampton and the Hollywood Hills Orchestra has had nothing but praise for their performance. The Starlite Singers, a group of Atlanta’s top studio singers, will be featured in the concert. They will make the concert even more memorable."

Frampton is in his 30th year as a concert pianist. He started his career in the 1970s as a solo pianist and then added a rhythm section of bass and percussion, a combination that earned the Mac Frampton Triumvirate hundreds of college concerts.

In the 1980s, he began to produce a variety of offerings, including revues of the music of George Gershwin and a tribute to the music of the 1930s and 1940s.

In the 1990s, his attentions turned to larger ensembles, first an acclaimed production entitle "Music of the Night," and then to even larger dimensions, The Hollywood Hills Orchestra. He founded the orchestra in 1995, and it is now in its sixth successful season. Along the way, Frampton has recorded more than 20 albums.

Recently, a group of Atlanta’s top studio singers, each of them in demand as a solo performing artist, decided to create a new vocal ensemble, Outside the Vox. Although still in its infancy, this outstanding group is already filling its schedule with concert dates. In their first tour with the Hollywood Hills Orchestra, they have dubbed themselves The Starlite Singers, in keeping with the theme of the show.

Act I features such selections as "Heart and Soul," "Exodus," "Georgia On My Mind," "I’ll Be Seeing You, and "West Side Story" and a cavalcade of stars, Perry Como, Dinah Shore, Doris Day and Nat King Cole.

Act II features, "Chances Are," "My Foolish Heart," "True Love"

"I Believe" and the Fifties Follies.

"This concert promises something for everyone," Swisher said. "It’s a unique opportunity to have Mac Frampton and the Hollywood Hills and the Starlite Singers on stage at the same time. We hope everyone will join us for this special performance."

Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for students and are available at all Troy banks, Radio Shack and the TSU School of Music. TSU students may attend free on their student activity pass

but must pick up tickets for the performance at the School of Music office in Smith Hall.

This event is co-sponsored by the Troy Arts Council and Troy State’s Lyceum Committee.