University Programs Council Sponsors Charlottesville and University Symphony Orchestra in Free Outdoor Pops Concert

September 4, 2009 — The University Programs Council of the University of Virginia, with support from the McIntire Department of Music and sponsorship from The Daily Progress, will kick off its 2009-10 schedule with "Symphony Under the Stars," a free pops concert performed by the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra.

The concert will be held Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. at the McIntire Amphitheater on the U.Va. Grounds. The rain date is Sept. 20 at 8 p.m.

Music director Kate Tamarkin will lead the orchestra in a program of light classics and popular music from the movie screen and Broadway stage. Highlights include selections from "West Side Story" and "South Pacific," a suite from "Carmen," the theme music from "ET," Grammy-winning "Somewhere Out There" and John Philip Sousa's ever-popular "The Stars and Stripes Forever."

Also featured will be the orchestra's principal trumpet and U.Va. trumpet instructor Paul Neebe in Leroy Anderson's "Trumpeter's Lullaby."

The University Programs Council is the student-run programming board that provides students and other members of the U.Va. and Charlottesville communities with a wide variety of entertaining and educational activities and events.

"Sponsoring this concert provides an awesome opportunity for the University to showcase the University's and community's talented musicians while bringing an exciting pops program to faculty, staff, students and community members," said third-year student Kirsten Miller-Jaster, a student director of the council. "UPC wanted a fun way to bring the entire Charlottesville community together via the arts and felt that a musical evening under the twilight September skies would be an excellent way to do so."

Tamarkin, also the interim chairwoman of the McIntire Department of Music, praised the University Programs Council for launching this new collaboration.

"The Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra is delighted to be partnering with the University Program Council in bringing this concert to the entire community," she said. "At a time when orchestras across the country are eliminating programs, we are growing thanks to the wonderful support of our many friends and neighbors."

No tickets will be required. Alcohol is prohibited on the U.Va. Grounds, but audience members are encouraged to bring picnics, lawn chairs and blankets.

— By Jane Ford

Media Contact