Ann Arbor Symphony Announces Events to Kick off Opening of THE RITE OF SPRING

The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra has a wonderful week of events planned leading up to Opening Night: The Rite of Spring September 21 at the Michigan Theater.

To kick things off, on Friday September 13, Conductor and Music Director Arie Lipsky will be interviewed on WRCJ (90.9 FM) for Maestro Week to share highlights from the upcoming 85 and shakers of the classical music industry who put together concert seasons.

Monday September 16 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the Ann Arbor District Library special guest speak Richard LeSuer will give a Pre-Concert Lecture about the revolutionary repertoire of The Rite of Spring concert. Mr. LeSueur received his BM from the University of Michigan with a major in music history and his MSLS from Wayne State University. He has sung leading roles with the UM Opera Department, UM Gilbert and Sullivan Society and the Comic Opera Guild. From 1976 to 2007 he was employed at the Ann Arbor District Library, first as assistant cataloger, then as head of the Technical Services Department and finally as Music Specialist for the Library. In retirement Mr. LeSueur is now overseeing the creation of a database indexing the performance history of the University Musical Society in Ann Arbor. He has lectured on many topics related to opera and vocal music at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Westminster Choir College, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Utah and other institutions.

Tuesday September 17, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. Conductor and Music Director Arie Lipsky speaks at OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Michigan (OLLI-UM). This About Town with OLLI event features a special talk with a musical interlude by the Ann Arbor Symphony's Music Director and Conductor, Arie Lipsky. Pre-registration required and OLLI membership for About Town are required to attend this event; space is limited. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Michigan offers educational and cultural programming for adults over the age of 50, including lectures, small classes, and travel. The OLLI "About Town" program brings OLLI members together to share in social and cultural events throughout the city. For more information and to register, visit: www.olliumich.org or call (734) 998-9351.

Wednesday September 18, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. join musicians from the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra for a Mix & Mingle event at Arbor Brewing Company. The Orchestra's patrons and friends are invited to gather at Arbor Brewing Company to enjoy a cash bar and hors d'oeuvres. Get to know your A2SO musicians in a fun informal setting before the 85 limited, reservations are required. th season. Maestro Week features interviews with the movers th season begins on Saturday September 21. As space is

Friday September 20, from 9:30-10:00 a.m. and 10:30-11:00 a.m. at the Ann Arbor District Library's downtown branch join Daniel Graser for Sensational Saxophone KinderConcerts. Saxophonist Daniel Graser is emerging as one of the most innovative and influential performers and pedagogues of his generation. KinderConcerts are free 30-minute concerts designed especially for children 2 to 6 years old. Members of the A to the instruments of the orchestra. Introduce even the youngest listeners to classical music at your local libraries. Additional Sensational Saxophone KinderConcerts dates are September 21 at the Ypsilanti District Library and September 30 at the Dexter District Library. To learn more about how you can schedule free KinderConcerts at your library email info@a2so.com.

Saturday September 21, from 7:00-7:30 p.m. enjoy a Pre-Concert Lecture with Conductor Arie Lipsky at the Michigan Theater. Learn about riveting The Rite of Spring repertoire in detail right before the concert starts at 8:00 p.m. Saturday September 21, from 8:00- 10:00 p.m enjoy Opening Night: The Rite of Spring with your Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra to kick off its 85 delights starts with Bernstein's effervescent Overture to Candide. Next up, Grammy award-winner Bill Bolcom's Commedia for (Almost) 18 enchant patrons. Following that we celebrate the 100 daring piece that launched symphonic music, and society, in bold new directions by breaking all the rules - from the very concept of melody to audience expectations.

Tickets are available at a2so.com. 2 SO join a child movement expert and piano collaborationist for a guided introduction th season at the Michigan Theater. This season of musical th -Century Orchestra and Schubert's classic Unfinished Symphony th anniversary of "The Rite of Spring,"

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