`SUMMER POPS' SYMPHONY SEASON OPENS IN ST. LOUIS

The 19th season of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra's Summer Pops opens with the "Stars of the Lawrence Welk Show," July 26-28 at 8 p.m. at Queeny Park.

There will also be a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Wednesday, July 27. The event will take place in Queeny Park's Greensfelder Recreation Center. Tickets, which are available at the Powell Hall box office, are $9 through $28. Tickets are also available at the Queeny box office beginning at 6 p.m. on performance nights.

The Lawrence Welk Show, which has made a comeback on public television stations throughout the country, has been on-air for more than 30 years. The show made its television debut in 1955, and has maintained its popularity since Welk's retirement in 1982.

Accordionist Myron Floren was the assistant band director of the Lawrence Welk Show. Since the show stopped taping, Floren has played special engagements in communities throughout the country as accordinonist and conductor. He has also appeared with other former members of the Lawrence Welk Show.