HSO Kicks off Fortieth Season

HERSHEY SYMPHONY PAYS TRIBUTE TO HAYDN AND MENDELSSOHN AS THEY OPEN THEIR FORTIETH SEASON

HERSHEY, PA - On Sunday, October 18, 2009, 3:00 p.m, Hershey Theatre, Caracas Avenue, Hershey, PA, the Hershey Symphony Orchestra will open its celebratory fortieth season by paying special tribute to the anniversaries of Haydn, Mendelssohn and Hershey.  Once again the HSO is under the direction of Dr. Sandra Dackow.  The evening's celebration is sponsored by Col. (Ret.) & Mrs. Charles Hoffman and the Hershey Symphony Orchestra Foundation.

"This is a night to celebrate," says HSO Executive Director Marsha Roscoe.  "This community has supported the Hershey Symphony Orchestra for four decades and we are excited to take the stage to give back to the community that which they have nurtured.  It is our hope that the audience is filled with past playing and Board members, past, present and future sponsors and donors as this evening really is a celebration of all those who have helped to shape the HSO into what it is today - one of the largest all volunteer orchestras in the nation."

To celebrate "Hershey," two HSO members will be featured as soloists.  Larry Grier and Carl Sponenberg will be featured on clarinet as they perform Mendelssohn's Konzertstuck for Two Clarinets and Orchestra No. 2 in D minor.  The evening's repertoire will also include Mendelssohn's Overture to the Hebrides and Haydn's Symphony No. 22 in E flat Major, "The Philosopher" and Symphony No. 97 in C Major.

Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $8 for students, and 12 & under are admitted for free.  Tickets are now available for purchase through both the Symphony and Hershey Theatre Box offices and may be purchased by cash or major credit card. Ticket orders should be directed to the Hershey Symphony office at 717-533-8449 or to the Hershey Theatre at 717-534-3405. Please note that $2.00 processing fee applies to all orders taken from the Hershey Theatre box office.

About Our Guests Artists

Larry Grier is in his 28th season with the Hershey Symphony Orchestra.  He earned a B.S. degree in Music Education from Gettysburg College and a M.M. degree from the Catholic University School of Music in Washington, D.C.  His teachers have included John Colangelo and Robert Zellner as well as Ignatius Gennusa of the Baltimore Symphony and William Wright of the National Symphony.  Larry taught instrumental music for 30 years and is currently active as a substitute teacher and private teacher.  His performance experience includes time with the Dickinson College - Community Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, the Harrisburg Civic Opera Orchestra, the New Cumberland Town Band and the Carlisle Town Band.  He also served as the conductor of the New Cumberland Town Band in 1988 and from 1990-1999.  He has been a featured soloist with both the New Cumberland and Carlisle Town Bands.  Larry spent the first 12 years of his life living on Air Force bases in California, Spain and Indiana.

 

Carl Sponenberg holds a Bachelor's degree in music education from Wilkes University and a Master of Music in music education from the Eastman School of Music.  He has 34 years of music teaching experience with the Big Spring School District in all levels, serving 18 years as department chair and 14 years as the high school band director.  He currently plays clarinet with the Hershey Symphony, the CVSM Symphonic Band in Chambersburg, PA, and the Harrisburg Concert Band.  He also plays tenor saxophone with the Craig Sunday Jazz Orchestra.  He has instructional studios with the Menchey Music Store in Hanover and with the Cumberland Valley School of Music in Chambersburg.  In the summer of 2006, he traveled with and directed the Pennsylvania Ambassador of Music Wind Ensemble for their two week European tour.  He has been Musical Director and Conductor of the Shippensburg Band since 2004.

About the Hershey Symphony Orchestra

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the Hershey Symphony Orchestra.  For four decades, the HSO has entertained music lovers throughout Central Pennsylvania.  Comprised of outstanding local musicians, the Hershey Symphony Orchestra is one of the largest volunteer community orchestras in the nation.  For more information about the Symphony, please contact the box office at (717) 533-8449 or visit our website at www.hersheysymphony.org.           

 

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