Rochester, NY – While the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is busy with more than a dozen Philharmonics, Pops, OrKIDStra Special, and Sunday Matinée performances left in its 2021-22 season, there’s another calendar of concerts that connects with our community in a more intimate – but no less important – way.
“As we approach our Centennial season, we are focused on how we can better connect with all members of our community,” says RPO’s Barbara Brown, the Lisk Morris Foundation Director of Education Chair. “Whether that’s by opening our doors to rehearsals, sharing the stage with students in the City of Rochester, or traveling around the region to perform for those that are not able travel to us, the RPO is committed to finding creative ways to share the joy of music with all.”
The list of offerings from the RPO’s Education Department includes several free, public performances, including one by RPO Trumpeter Herb Smith and his Freedom Trio with School #58 and School of the Arts (SOTA) Jazz Ensembles at the Lilac Festival in Highland Park on May 6 at noon.
Two additional free performances will feature the RPO String Quartet and its Brass Quintet with students from ROCmusic, a non-profit collaborative (of which the RPO is a member) with a mission to provide exceptional music education and performance experiences for youth living in the City of Rochester. Those will take place at the David F. Gantt R-Center (700 North St.) on Wednesday, May 11 at 7 p.m., and at the Edgerton R-Center (41 Backus St.) on Thursday, May 12 at 7 p.m.
The list of private performances and events by RPO musicians is equally impressive:
· 4/28 – Salaff String Quartet performance at Holy Childhood
· 4/29 – RPO Trumpeter Herb Smith and his Freedom Trio rehearsal with RCSD students at School #58 and School of the Arts (SOTA)
· 5/4 – Salaff String Quartet performance at Friendly Home for memory-care and assisted-living individuals
· 5/8 – Flute & Violin Masterclasses at Cornell University
· 5/10 – Horn Masterclass at Cornell University
· 5/12 – Salaff String Quartet performance at Fairport Baptist Home for memory-care and assisted-living individuals
· 5/12 – RPO Brass Quintet performance at St. Ann’s Home for memory-care and assisted-living individuals
· 5/13 – RPO Wind Quartet and Cello/Harp duet performance at Pine Brook Elementary School
· 5/16 – Rochester String Quartet performance at Wolk Manor (Jewish Senior Life) for memory-care and assisted-living individuals
· 5/18 – Open RPO Rehearsal at Kodak Hall for Alzheimer’s Association
· 5/19 – Open RPO Rehearsal at Kodak Hall for Alzheimer’s Association
· 5/20 – Open RPO Rehearsal at Nazareth for Alzheimer’s Association
· 5/21 – Open RPO Rehearsal at Nazareth for Alzheimer’s Association
· 5/25 – RPO Brass Quintet performance at The Mills at Village Landing for memory-care and assisted-living individuals
· 5/26 – Salaff String Quartet performance at Sands Tower (Jewish Senior Life) for memory-care and assisted- living individuals
· 6/1 – Open RPO Rehearsal at Kodak Hall for Alzheimer’s Association
· 6/6 – RPO String Quartet performances at Monroe Community Hospital, one for memory-care individuals and one for the pediatric ward
· 6/8 – Open RPO Rehearsal at Kodak Hall for Alzheimer’s Association
· 6/9 – Open RPO Rehearsal at Kodak Hall for Alzheimer’s Association
“Music has the power to connect us in meaningful and moving ways,” adds Brown, “and we are beyond thrilled to be back out in the community building relationships with music lovers of all ages.”
These important programs are made possible in part by The City of Rochester (Lilac Festival and ROCmusic side-by-side performances), The Mellon Foundation (Care and Wellness Initiative), and National Endowment of the Arts (Care and Wellness Initiative)
2021-22 Season Sponsors: Since the 2019-2000 Season, M & T Bank has been the RPO’s Season Sponsor. They are joined by Rochester Regional Health as Season Co-Sponsor. The Pops Season is sponsored by Wegmans and Canandaigua National Bank.
ABOUT THE RPO: The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music since its origins in 1922. The RPO presents approximately 150 concerts and broadcasts a year, serving up to 170,000 people through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region. Music Director Andreas Delfs joins the ranks of former notable RPO music directors, including Erich Leinsdorf, David Zinman, Mark Elder, and Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, now in his 28th season, has earned a national reputation for excellence in pops programming during his tenure with the RPO. The RPO reaches more than 15,000 youth through its specific education programs.
Media please note: High-resolution images and other media assets can be found at https://tinyurl.com/yuj7ktfz. Interviews and photo/footage opportunities are also available.