No Matter the Weather, It’s Spring at the Eastman Theatre in RPO Concert Sponsored by City of Rochester

Rochester, NY – Thanks to the sponsorship by the City of Rochester, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra will present a free concert led by former RPO conductor Peter Bay on Friday, April 20 at 8:00 p.m. in the Eastman Theatre.  In a program celebrating the season of Spring and Earth Day (April 22), the concert will feature Aaron Copland’s An Outdoor Overture and Letter From Home; Johann Strauss Jr.’s Waltzes from Tales from the Vienna Woods; three movements from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral” and John Williams’ The Cowboys Overture and "Adventures on Earth" from E.T.

Music Director of the Austin Symphony since 1998, Peter Bay is also Music Director of the Britt Festival Orchestra in Jacksonville, Oregon.  As a guest conductor, Mr. Bay has appeared with more than 20 major American orchestras including the National, St. Louis, Houston, Dallas, Baltimore, New Mexico and Syracuse Symphonies, as well as the Minnesota Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.  He is a frequent guest at summer music festivals, and his European appearances have taken him to Germany, Austria, Lithuania and Portugal.  His recordings include the U.S. premiere of Britten’s The Sword and the Stone with the Richmond Symphony, and Voices with the RPO and the percussion ensemble NEXUS.  In 1994, Mr. Bay was one of two conductors selected to participate in the Leonard Bernstein American Conductors Program.  (Mr. Bay is in town to conduct the RPO in its regular season Philharmonics concert with violinist Amy Beth Horman on Thursday, April 19 and Saturday, April 21.)

To receive a maximum of four free tickets, send a request with your name, address, phone number and email address along with a self addressed stamped envelope to the RPO Box Office, 108 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604.  Seating is general admission, first-come, first-served.  Tickets may be available at the door the night of the performance. 

Now in its 84th season, 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.