N.C. Symphony Announces 2015 Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series; Music Under the Stars

The North Carolina Symphony's popular summer outdoor concerts return for another season, as the 2015 Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series brings great music for relaxed listening to Cary's Booth Amphitheatre May 23 through July 9. This summer marks the 30th anniversary of performances in Cary and the orchestra's 15th season in the stunning lakeside pavilion built by the Town of Cary, a major sponsor of Summerfest.

While concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., concertgoers may bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs as early as 5:30 p.m. to enjoy the striking natural surroundings before the music begins. Thanks to sponsor Golden Corral, children ages 12 and under are admitted free on the lawn, so attending a North Carolina Symphony concert at Booth Amphitheatre is a wonderful summer bargain for families.

Some of music's most exciting offerings-as well as contests and prizes, MetLife Instrument Zoos for the kids, the Town of Cary's Fourth of July celebration, fireworks and so much more-make these evening performances under the stars a special treat for everyone in the family.

Summerfest Opening Night launches a summer of music on May 23 as the North Carolina Symphony performs Dvo?ák's New World Symphony, Rhapsody in Blue, performed by pianist Timo Andres, plus selections from Aaron Copland that feature Play with the Pros, where the Triangle's most gifted citizen musicians of all ages join forces with Resident Conductor and Summerfest Artistic Director William Henry Curry and the North Carolina Symphony. For more information on becoming a citizen musician, call Sarah Preston, Performing Arts Coordinator for the Town of Cary at at 919.462.3969. Deadline to enter the Play with the Pros lottery is Friday, April 3 at 5 p.m.

Summerfest continues on Saturday, May 30, with Music Director Grant Llewellyn and the North Carolina Symphony performing Your Favorite Light Classics, including Grieg's Peer Gynt and Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody.

The orchestra, led by guest conductor Stuart Chafetz, will perform hits from the decade of big hair and even bigger shoulder pads in Totally 80s on Saturday, June 6. Audience members will hear songs like "Human Nature," "Don't Stop Believing," "Boys of Summer" and "In the Air Tonight," plus hits by Lionel Richie, Sting, Cyndi Lauper, Pat Benatar and more.

On Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13, the orchestra, led by Associate Conductor David Glover, will bring Summerfest audiences the two-night White Nights: Russian Festival that features music by some of the world's greatest Russian composers. Friday's program includes Shostakovich's Festival Overture, Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, featuring Jinjoo Cho, Borodin's Polovtsian Dances, and Rimsky-Korsakov's Capriccio espagnole. Saturday's program includes Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade and Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, featuring Sean Chen.

On Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20, audiences will enjoy two great evenings of music from stage and screen performed by the Symphony, and led by Associate Conductor David Glover. Friday night's program is An Evening of Broadway, with music from Annie, Oliver, Wicked, and more. Saturday night's concert will be Symphonic Wizardry, featuring the Music of Harry Potter, a musical journey inspired by the world of Harry Potter, with selections from How to Train Your Dragon, Ghostbusters, and others.

Back by popular demand, on Saturday, June 27, guest conductor Brent Havens, the North Carolina Symphony and a rocking tribute band salute The Music of the Eagles. One of the most successful groups of the 70s, the Eagles were responsible for some of rock music's most enduring hits, including "Hotel California," "Peaceful Easy Feeling," "Witchy Woman," "Desperado," "Tequila Sunrise" "One of These Nights," and many more.

As always, on Saturday, July 4, at 7:30 p.m., the North Carolina Symphony will celebrate at the Town of Cary's free Independence Day concert that is a salute to the Red, White, and Blue. A Triangle tradition, the concert will feature patriotic favorites and high-spirited classics to honor the USA on its birthday. The gates open at 3 p.m., so come early to Booth Amphitheatre and grab the best seats on the lawn for the area's biggest Fourth of July fireworks display. This concert will feature North Carolina Symphony Associate Conductor David Glover and tenor Scott MacLeod.

The Finale of the Rex Healthcare Summerfest 2015 series on Thursday, July 9, will feature a concert presented by the North Carolina Symphony that showcases talents of the Hot Sardines, an electrifying band from Manhattan that is captivating audiences world-wide. Bandleader Evan "Bibs" Palazzo, lead singer Miz Elizabeth, and the Sardines ensemble of powerhouse musicians - which travels with their very own tap dancer - give a fresh voice to the history-defining "hot jazz" of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. The Hot Sardines are described by the Times of London as "simply phenomenal, crisp musicianship going hand in hand with immaculate and witty showmanship." The North Carolina Symphony is presenting, but not performing at this concert.

Summerfest 2015 is presented by Rex Healthcare. Co-sponsors are the Town of Cary and First Citizens Bank. Summerfest partners are CaptiveAire, LORD Corporation, Raleigh Windows & Siding, and Crabtree Valley Mall.

Booth Amphitheatre is located at 8003 Regency Parkway in Cary, N.C.

The 10-concert Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series offers music lovers a perfect family outing, and once again, concertgoers who display the biggest and boldest culinary skills can win prizes. The Whole Foods Market of Cary Picnic of the Week contest returns for the sixth year. Throughout the summer, groups of concertgoers selected as the best picnickers of that weekend's concert will receive a $100 gift basket from Whole Foods Market of Cary. Two honorable mentions in the form of $25 gift cards will also be awarded. Select Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series concerts also feature other pre-concert activities, including MetLife Instrument Zoos for kids of all ages.

To subscribe, or for information about subscription options to any of the Symphony's 2015/16 concert series across the state, visit the North Carolina Symphony season tickets page at www.ncsymphony.org/subscriptions or call North Carolina Symphony Box Office at 919.733.2750 or toll free 877.627.6724.

Flex tickets on the lawn and covered tables are also available for the entire Summerfest series. Beginning at $108, flex tickets allow music lovers the easiest access to the Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series, for savings of up to 40% when compared to single-concert ticket prices. Flex 10 ticket subscriptions are $215. Single ticket sales will go on sale April 24 at noon. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free on the lawn.

Founded in 1932, the North Carolina Symphony performs over 175 concerts annually to adults and school children in more than 50 North Carolina counties. An entity of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, the orchestra employs 66 professional musicians, under the artistic leadership of Music Director and Conductor Grant Llewellyn, Resident Conductor William Henry Curry, and Associate Conductor David Glover.

Based in downtown Raleigh's spectacular Meymandi Concert Hall at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts and an outdoor summer venue at Booth Amphitheatre in Cary, N.C., the Symphony performs about 60 concerts annually in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Cary metropolitan area. It holds regular concert series in Fayetteville, New Bern, Southern Pines and Wilmington-as well as individual concerts in many other North Carolina communities throughout the year-and conducts one of the most extensive education programs of any U.S. orchestra.

About the Town of Cary and Koka Booth Amphitheatre
The Town of Cary focuses every day on enriching the lives of its citizens by creating an exceptional environment and providing exemplary services that enable the community to thrive and prosper. Cary has more than 20 public parks, 20 miles of trails, cultural arts programs and facilities as well as concerts and other special events throughout the year.

Koka Booth Amphitheatre, the Town's state-of-the-art performance center venue nestled in the trees by Symphony Lake, is the summer home for the North Carolina Symphony. Celebrating its 15th season, in addition to Summerfest, patrons can look forward to another exciting season of national touring acts, outdoor movie series, weekly jazz, country and bluegrass concerts and its many cultural, food and beverage fun festivals!