Bay-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Avalon Concerts 2007

BAY-ATLANTIC SYMPHONY HAS SUMMER HOME IN AVALON

"Concerts, related activities planned in unique partnership with
Avalon Free Public Library and Borough of Avalon"

AVALON, N.J. (Feb. 26, 2007) – The nationally acclaimed Bay-Atlantic Symphony has a summer home at the shore.

The 40-member orchestra will perform a series of concerts and host a variety of related events in the borough this summer as part of a unique alliance between the orchestra, the Avalon Free Public Library and the Borough of Avalon, officials announced today.

“Our ultimate mission is to identify ways to improve the quality of life of our citizens, and this is a perfect example of our commitment,” Avalon Mayor Martin L. Pagliughi said. “The partnership between the Bay-Atlantic Symphony and the Avalon Free Public Library brings the arts squarely into our initiative that’s part of the renaissance of Avalon.”

The Bay-Atlantic Symphony will perform three concerts presented by the Avalon Free Public Library in the new multi-purpose facility in the Avalon Elementary School. All three performances will begin at 7:00 PM.

The symphony’s brass quintet will kick off the series with a May 26 program. On August 25, the orchestra will perform its “Beethoven Bash,” a violin concert featuring the composer’s Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op.92.

The final program will be a Sept. 15 concert by the Bay-Atlantic Symphony’s string quartet.

Complete programs for the May and September concerts will be announced soon. Tickets for the three events are complimentary and will be available through the Avalon Free Public Library. For information on how to ticket availability and how to obtain them please visit their website (www.avalonfreelibrary.org).

“The Avalon Free Public Library serves as the cultural gateway to Avalon for residents and visitors,” library director Norman Gluckman said. “I can’t think of anything more inspiring or enriching than the dynamic sound of a symphony orchestra. When you add the music of Beethoven to the mix – and then stage it in a new facility - you have a match made in heaven.”

In addition to the performances, the BAS will host a series of special events, which kicks off April 10 when Paul Somers will address the Avalon Seniors at their monthly meeting/luncheon, 11:30 AM at the Windrift in Avalon. Somers, who is the director of the Classical New Jersey Society, will speak on the history of classical music.

In May, BAS concertmaster Ruotao Mao will be the featured presenter at the Avalon School and present a program titled “How Music Speaks to Us.” The appearance of Mao at the Avalon School is to honor the late Dr. Gus Cilento, an Avalon resident and member of the BAS board of directors.

The BAS continues its outreach to young people July 23-26 by hosting the Avalon Brass Camp. Youthful musicians will listen, learn and play along side the professionals during concerts each evening. Concerts are slated each evening outdoors, weather permitting, at either Veterans Plaza at 21^st Street and Dune Drive or the Avalon Historical Museum on 39^th Street.

The last public forum is set for Aug. 23 at the Avalon Free Public Library. BAS conductor and music director Jed Gaylin, along with violinist Qing Li of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, will moderate a forum titled “Conversations with the Maestro: The genius of Beethoven.”

Originally known as the Bridgeton Symphony when it was founded in 1983, the orchestra has been enriching the cultural life of southern New Jersey for nearly a quarter-century. It changed its name to the Bay-Atlantic Symphony in 1998 to reflect the artistic growth and regionalization of the orchestra.

In 1997, after a two-year national search, the Bay-Atlantic Symphony selected Jed Gaylin as its music director and conductor. Under Gaylin’s baton, the BAS has gained national attention through repeated broadcasts on National Public Radio, which included a segment on a 2004 broadcast of “Weekend Edition,” which reached an audience of more than four million listeners.

The feature was also broadcast by Voice of America in English and was translated throughout Europe and Russia.

“The people of Avalon deserve great music. The Bay-Atlantic Symphony’s presence in Avalon provides the shore region with great music in the summer,” Gaylin said. “Hearing classical music gives people an opportunity to explore art and go beyond the 'traditional' summertime experience.”

The Avalon Free Public Library has shown “great vision and civic responsibility” in creating an environment that encourages the arts to flourish, added Paul Herron, executive director of the Bay-Atlantic Symphony.

“We hope we will return every summer to perform exciting and passionate music,” Herron added.

Telephone interviews gladly arranged with all participants– please call for more information.

01/25/2008 2007 Program | 2008 Program

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