Symphony Kicks Off Season with Concerts in the Park

Aug 24, 2009

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow 464-7071

SPOKANE—Music Director Eckart Preu and Resident Conductor Morihiko Nakahara with the Spokane Symphony will entertain audiences with the annual Labor Day Parks Concerts. For the thousands that bring lawn chairs and picnic dinners to these events, the concerts mark the end of summer and the start of another fabulous season!

The first of the two concerts will be held at Pavillion Park in Liberty Lake on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 6 pm, and the second concert will be held at Comstock Park on Spokane’s South Hill on Monday, Sept. 7 at 6 pm.

Spokane’s favorite conducting duo will present a program of patriotic tunes, old favorites, and movie tunes. They include Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Suite, the finale movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart, The Cowboy’s Overture by John Williams and of course, Stars and Stripes Forever. The concert selections are so varied and diverse, there is sure to be something for everyone!

The ComstockPark concert will also include numerous activities for children and parents alike. The Instrument Petting Zoo gives kids a chance to find their favorite instrument and give it a try, while parents enjoy displays from different arts organizations around the city featured in the Fall Arts Preview sponsored by the Spokane Folklore Society. City of Spokane ordinance prohibits alcohol consumption in City owned parks.

The Comstock concert is underwritten by Avista Utilities, Hagadone Directories Inc., and the Spokane Parks Foundation.

Preu has completed his fifth year as the Music Director for the Spokane Symphony. He is a hometown favorite and has been praised by critics, listeners and musicians alike. He also serves as the Music Director for the Stamford (CT) Symphony. Nakahara has recently been named the Resident Conductor for  the Spokane Symphony. In addition, he is the Music Director for the South Carolina Philharmonic in Columbia, SC.

CALENDAR LISTINGS:

FREE SPOKANE SYMPHONY PARK CONCERT: Saturday, Sept. 5, 6 pm at Pavillion Park at Liberty Lake; Eckart Preu and Morihiko Nakahara conducting. Call 326-3136 for more information.

FREE SPOKANE SYMPHONY PARK CONCERT: Monday, Sept. 7, 6 pm at Comstock Park, Spokane; Eckart Preu and Morihiko Nakahara conducting. Call 326-3136 for more information.