At the Beach or On the Field, County-Sponsored RPO Concerts Abound
Rochester NY – The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra provides two free, nearly back-to-back opportunities to hear them perform on Wednesday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m., at the Gazebo at Ontario Beach Park (4799 Lake Avenue), and on Friday, July 18, at approximately 8:30 p.m. (following the Red Wings game) at Frontier Field. At Ontario Beach, Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik takes the baton, while two days later, Michael Butterman, Principal Conductor for Education and Outreach (the Louise and Henry Epstein Family Chair) is “on-deck” for the RPO’s annual concert at Frontier Field, culminating in a sensational fireworks event in center field. Both concerts are sponsored by Monroe County.
The July 16 Ontario Beach program offers an evening of nostalgic favorites, including Jelly Roll Morton hits featuring several RPO brass and woodwind soloists – with Tyzik himself on trumpet! – as well as highlights from the RPO’s newly released CD, HONOR: Portraits of America. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Leroy Anderson in 2008, the RPO performs a toe-tapping selection of his works, including Bugler’s Holiday and Clarinet Candy, rounded out by Richard Rodgers’ Victory at Sea – Symphonic Scenario for Orchestra.
Michael Butterman comes “up to bat” immediately following the Red Wings game on July 18 at Frontier Field, conducting another free concert of fun-filled works ranging from John Williams and Aaron Copland to rousing Shostakovich and Sousa selections. On-stage musical fireworks give way to a pyrotechnic performance worthy of the mighty Casey himself.
Celebrating its 85th season in 2007-08, the RPO inspires and enriches the community through the art of music. The Orchestra is passionately dedicated to outstanding musical performance at the highest artistic levels, and has a unique tradition of musical versatility, commitment to music education in the broadest sense and a deep and enduring engagement with the community. The RPO has been honored with the New York State Governor’s Arts Award and two recent ASCAP awards for adventurous programming. RPO performances are made possible in part by grants from Monroe County; City of Rochester; National Endowment for the Arts; and New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency.
