NC Symphony to Perform at Roanoke Island Festival Park
Published June 2, 2008 by Roanoke Island Festival ParkPRESS RELEASE
Roanoke Island Festival Park
A Division of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
MORE INFORMATION Press: Tanya Young, (252) 475-1500 ext. 244
Public: 24 hour events line (252) 475-1506 or (252) 475-1500
www.roanokeisland.com
NC Symphony to Perform at Newly Renovated
Pavilion at RIFP
ROANOKE ISLAND- The North Carolina Symphony, lead by William Henry Curry, Resident Conductor, will return for its 7th annual performance at the newly renovated Outdoor Pavilion at Roanoke Island Festival Park on Thursday, June 5, at 8 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and the Dare County Tourism Board. It is free and open to the public. Parking will be available throughout the town of Manteo and on a first-come, first -serve basis at Roanoke Island Festival Park. Handicap parking will also be available at the Park. The pre-show, presented by the Concert Chorale of the Outer Banks and featuring The Forest Warren Chamber Singers and The Children’s Treble Choir of the Outer Banks, will begin at 7 p.m. Gates will open at 6p.m.
The North Carolina Symphony was organized in 1932 under the direction of Pulitzer traveling fellowship recipient and composer Lamar Stringfield. From its beginnings as a WPA project in the 1930’s, it became the first orchestra to receive state funding on a continuous basis in the 1940’s. Under the 33-year leadership of Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin Swalin, the Symphony developed its grassroots emphasis on taking the orchestra to the people of North Carolina. That tradition has continued every year since the 1943 “Horn Tootin’ Bill” was passed by the State Legislature.
Now celebrating 76 years, the North Carolina Symphony is a full-time, professional orchestra with 68 members under the artistic leadership of Music Director Grant Llewellyn. Its home venue is Meymandi Concert Hall in the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh. The Symphony has released five recordings, the most recent of which, Sketches 2004-05 featured a work by Sketches from Pinehurst by Terry Mizesko written in honor of the U.S. Open’s 2005 return to Pinehurst.
Seating for the June 5 concert will be on the lawn, so guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Picnics are also welcomed. In case of rain, the performance will be held at the Centennial Pavilion at the Wright Brother National Memorial. For more information call the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau at (252)-473-2138. Also visit www.outerbanks.org the day of the performance for weather updates.
The mission of Roanoke Island Festival Park is to involve residents and visitors, of all ages, in a creative and stimulating exploration of Roanoke Island’s historical, cultural and natural resources. For more information about this event or others call (252) 475-1500 or visit us on-line at www.roanokeisland.com.
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