Festival City Symphony Announces 2006-2007 Concert Season

“Symphony Sundays” will be held at the Pabst Theater, 144 E. Wells St., on October 29, 2006, February 4, March 18, and May 20, 2007. The series includes descriptive program information offered from the podium by conductor Monte Perkins and pre-concert “Children’s Program Notes,” a group activity and discussion presented by a music educator to get children involved in the music they are about to hear. Admission will be $14 for adults and $8 for children, students, and seniors.

Early-Bird season ticket packages are available through October 23 in several categories. Each offers admission at significant savings over regular ticket prices. The season ticket Family Pack is available for $75 if purchased by October 23 ($85, thereafter) and admits an entire family to all four concerts. Other subscription packages are offered: Couples Packs admit two people to all four concerts for $72; a Single Adult Pack admits one adult to all four concerts for just $50; and the Senior and Student Pack admits one adult over age 60 or a student to all four concerts for $28.

Information about purchasing season packs or group tickets may be obtained by calling Festival City Symphony at 414-963-9067. Individual tickets may be purchased by calling the Pabst Theater Box Office at 414-286-3663 or online at pabsttheater.org.

The popular children’s “Pajama Jamboree” concerts will feature guest artists, narration, and visuals to hold the attention of the young audience. The hour-long, Wednesday evening programs will be held from 7-8 p.m. in the Bradley Pavilion at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 123 E. State St. entrance on September 20 and November 29, 2006, and April 18, 2007.

Children are invited to come with their parents or grandparents in casual dress or pajamas, with blankets and teddy bears, to sit on the floor, up close where they can “meet” the orchestra. Conventional seating is also available. Admission is free.

Milwaukee’s Festival City Symphony is a classical symphony orchestra that showcases local musicians. The symphony’s mission is to extend the reach of classical music in the community with reasonable pricing, interesting themes, and informative formats that embrace people of all ages. For more information, check out festivalcitysymphony.org.

The full schedule of concerts follows.

“SYMPHONY SUNDAYS” CONCERTS, SUNDAYS AT 3 P.M., PABST THEATER, with “CHILDREN’S PROGRAM NOTES” at 2:45 p.m. in the EAST LOBBY

October 29, 2006 — Musical Treats, No Tricks
Festival City Symphony will begin the season with the works of three German masters writing under the inspiration of literature, politics, and religion. Ludwig van Beethoven's (1770-1827) Symphony No. 3 "Eroica" was originally dedicated to Napoleon. Johannes Brahms' (1833-1897) beautiful Haydn Variations is based on the "St. Anthony Chorale". Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) wrote the Ruy Blas Overture after reading Victor Hugo's novel of the same name.

February 4, 2007 — “C’est Musique” – French Romantics
The beauty and romance of France are represented by two works: Vincent d'Indy's (1851-1931) piano concerto Symphony On A French Mountain Air with soloist Stephen Swedish; and Cesar Franck's (1822-1890) melodic and inspiring Symphony in D Minor.

March 18, 2007 — Drumroll, Please
In his Symphony No. 103 “Drumroll,” Joseph Haydn (1732 - 1809) shocked listeners in 1795 by starting with a timpani roll, but its tuneful beauty and classical form has long made it a concert favorite. This program is completed with Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich's (1906-1975) lyrical and neoclassic Symphony No. 5, one of the most performed 20th century masterpieces.

May 20, 2007 – Faust and the Heavenly Life
The season ends with an orchestral tour de force program featuring works by composers Gustav Mahler and Richard Wagner. Wagner's (1813-1883) brooding and agitated Faust Overture was intended as the first movement of a symphony, but became a complete work unto itself. The season closes with the descriptive Symphony No. 4 For Orchestra and Soprano of Gustav Mahler (1860-1911), which can only end when a song is sung by a soprano soloist in the final movement. Soprano soloist Kathy Pyeatt will join the symphony for this concert.

“PAJAMA JAMBOREES” FOR 2006-2007, SELECTED WEDNESDAYS AT 7 P.M.
MARCUS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, BRADLEY PAVILION
ADMISSION IS FREE

September 20, 2006 America – Worth Singing About
Songs about America performed by the symphony with Shear Delight Barbershop Quartet.

November 29, 2006 Holiday Pajama Jamboree
Come sing along to holiday tunes and celebrate the season.

April 18, 2007 Kids Perform For Kids Featuring a children’s performing group.