“Beethoven didn’t have an accordion, but the South Bend Symphony Orchestra will,” writes Becky Malewitz in Wednesday’s (8/15) South Bend Tribune (Indiana). “On Saturday, the SBSO [will perform] at Potawatomi Park alongside about 80 musicians from the community to play … ‘Ode to Joy’ [as] part of the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County’s Performing Arts Series…. ‘This is the first time we’ve been directly involved with their summer concert series,’ … Music Village executive director Josh Aerie says. ‘We’re going to be having some of our traditional students … but also some of our jammers’ … who play the guitar, banjo and ukulele…. The arrangement is written by retired SBSO tubist Jerry Lackey. In addition to The Music Village, the SBSO Orchestra is partnering with the South Bend Youth Symphony for the concert…. The concert is the first opportunity [Music Director Alastair Willis] has had to conduct the orchestra outside of the Morris Performing Arts Center. ‘I’m just really excited to connect more with the community,’ says Willis.” Aerie adds, “The wonderful thing about outdoor concerts [is that] you are able to reach more people, a more diverse group of people, and that’s important in this day and age.”
Posted August 17, 2018
