BUTLER TWP - "Wild, Wild West" was the theme of this year's family concert by the Butler County Symphony Orchestra.

From the music itself to the concertmaster's balloon announcing his daughter's birth to the patter of the "Head Wrangler," the concert, under the direction of Elisabeth Heath-Charles, was an evening of fun, variety, and informality.

Jeanne Porter, the "Head Wrangler" or mistress of ceremonies, provided spirited commentary on the proceedings, as well as lessons in audience etiquette throughout the concert. At one point she introduced two Australian shepherds - dogs, not people.

Featured in the program was fiddler Ken Metrick. Fiddling since early childhood, Metrick performs unaccompanied. He demonstrated his virtuosity by playing in Scottish, Cajun, Texas, and Kentucky styles.

He explained that fiddle music was passed down from generation to generation, and not in written form.

Some young fiddlers from North Allegheny also performed - in the hall and in the lobby before and after the concert. Calling themselves the N. A. Fiddlers, these students, like Ken Metrick, learn by ear without the use of written music.

At the concert, a guitar, a bass viola, and a triangle accompanied them.

Also featured were 17 members of the Duquesne University Dukettes. They danced to Aaron Copland's "Buckaroo Holiday" from the ballet "Rodeo," performing acrobatics on the stage and in the auditorium itself. Shaney Rudar choreographed the dance.

The orchestra by itself performed works by John Williams, Leroy Anderson, and Alfred Newman as well as a "Cowboy Fantasy" arranged by Holcombe. The audience was invited to participate in the singing of Oklahoma. Everyone enjoyed the evening and had a lot of fun.

The Associated Artists of Butler County displayed a student art show of drawing and sculpture with a Western motif.

Third place went to Justin Covert, second place to Victoria Cox, and first place to Maraina Miles for her wire sculpture.

Best in show belonged to Tomi Punchur. Young artists who received honorable mention included Kara Knechtel, Bryan DeAngelis, Mark Kriska, Anne Feldbauer, Carrie Lawson, Tyler Bresnahan, and Emily Amerson.