SYMPHONY KICKS OFF SEASON WITH PARKS CONCERTS

Aug 24, 2006

For Immediate Release

Contact: ANNIE MATLOW 326-3136

SPOKANE - Music Director Eckart Preu and Associate Conductor Morihiko Nakahara will introduce the 2006-07 Spokane Symphony season to the thousands who bring their blankets and lawn chairs to its annual outdoor concerts during the first week in September.

This year there are two concerts, one at Pavillion Park in Liberty Lake on Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. and one at Comstock Park on Spokane's South Hill on Sept. 4 at 6 p.m.

The Friends of Pavillion Park with support from the City of Liberty Lake make the Liberty Lake concert possible. The Comstock Park concert is funded by sponsorships from Spokane Parks Foundation, Hagadone Directories, Spokane County Title Company and the Annual Fund of the Spokane Symphony.

The popular conductor duo will share the podium with guest conductor, Itron CEO Leroy Nosbaum. The energetic and charismatic conductors will present a program featuring some audience favorites, including the Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, Stars and Stripes Forever, Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, as well as selections from The Sound of Music and Fiddler on the Roof. The selections are so varied and diverse, there is something for every listener.

Preu has completed his second year as music director of the Spokane Symphony. He has established a great rapport the community and receives rave reviews from critics, listeners and musicians alike. He is also the music director of the Stamford (CT) Symphony. Nakahara is beginning his fourth year as associate conductor with the Symphony. He is also the Music Director of the Holland (MI) Symphony and Director of Orchestras at Eastern Washington University.

The representatives from the Symphony, Fox Theater, and Symphony Associates will join the Fall Arts Preview at 4 p.m. at Comstock Park. The 20-year tradition of the Symphony at Comstock Park has thousands bringing their families and picnic baskets to mark the unofficial end of summer.

CALENDAR LISTINGS:
FREE SPOKANE SYMPHONY PARK CONCERT: Saturday, Sept. 2, 6 p.m. 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. 4, 6 p.m. at Comstock Park; Eckart Preu and Morihiko Nakahara conducting; Call 326-3136 for more information. .
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