Symphony Kicks Off Season with Concerts in the Park

Aug 24, 2011

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow 464-7071

SPOKANE—For many in the Inland Northwest, Labor Day weekend means heading to the park to enjoy a free symphony concert, and this year is no exception. Music Director Eckart Preu will conduct the Spokane Symphony  at Pavillion Park in Liberty Lake on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m., and at Comstock Park, located on Spokane’s South Hill, on Monday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. 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!

For 25 years, the Labor Day concert in Comstock Park drew as many as 8,000 visitors to hear the Spokane Symphony perform under the distinctive white shell, but while admission was free, the concert cost the Symphony organization more than $36,000 to stage. Sponsors traditionally underwrote the majority of these costs, but as the nation’s economy suffered, so did sponsorship dollars; last year the concert was cancelled. In stepped Sterling Savings Bank with an exclusive, three-year sponsorship of the Comstock Park Concert for the community.

“We are very excited about this significant support from Sterling Savings Bank. They have been a long-time supporter of the Symphony and the community as a whole. This new commitment is pivotal, guaranteeing the future of an important community event,” said Spokane Symphony Executive Director Brenda Nienhouse.

Ezra Eckhardt, president and chief operating officer of Sterling Savings Bank, echoed her sentiments: “Sterling is thrilled to partner with the Spokane Symphony to host this event. This type of event exemplifies the reason Spokane is such a special place to live and do business.”

The performance at Liberty Lake continues to be paid for by Friends of Pavillion Park.

Both performances will feature a program of patriotic tunes, light classics, and popular favorites. They include selections by Bizet, Grieg and Dvorak, Michael Jackson’s Thriller, music by Irving Berlin and of course, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. The concert selections are so diverse, there is sure to be something for everyone!

The Comstock Park 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 in the Fall Arts Preview sponsored by the Spokane Folklore Society. City of Spokane ordinance prohibits alcohol consumption in City owned parks.

CALENDAR LISTING:

FREE SPOKANE SYMPHONY PARKS CONCERTS: Saturday, Sept. 3, 6 p.m. at Pavillion Park in Liberty Lake; Monday, Sept. 5, 6 p.m. at Comstock Park in Spokane; Eckart Preu, conductor.