Little Orchestra Society to Host MUSIC UNDER THE BIG TOP Concert and Benefit, 12/10

The Little Orchestra Society presents Music Under the Big Top, an evening of entertainment and musical acrobatics for audiences of all ages at Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center. This first of its kind program for The Little Orchestra Society, conducted and co-hosted by new Music Director James Judd, will feature the Orchestra performing an eclectic array of classic and contemporary pieces in the ring of the Big Apple Circus joined by the talented violinist and composer Daniel Roumain.

"I am tremendously excited to make my debut as Music Director of The Little Orchestra Society with this particular concert," said Judd. "This performance is the Orchestra's own high-wire act - an exciting venture out of the concert hall and into unconventional spaces. As a conductor, it is a rare treat to take these kinds of risks to enhance the music and add elements of surprise for the audience."

Guest soloist Daniel Roumain, a violinist, composer, recording artist, and educator will perform his own Woodbox Violin Concerto in its New York City premiere. Roumain is widely recognized for compositions and performances that blend cultural, ethnic and stylistic boundaries creating contemporary sounds that attract a wide range of audiences.

This concert reunites Judd and Roumain - the two have a 20-year history going back to Roumain's time as a student at the Dillard High School for the Performing Arts in Sunrise, Florida. As a student, Roumain participated in the Florida Philharmonic's education program as an intern in the Box Office and administrative offices. He was mentored by Judd, Music Director of the Florida Philharmonic at the time.

"It was a unique situation in that throughout the day, I was able to attend rehearsals, watch James and really learn about the world of the Orchestra from the box office to management to the artists and musicians," said Roumain. "I remember the excitement of having James looking over one of my very early scores at the time. "

"Daniel was and remains an extraordinary talent, both as a violinist and composer. As a young man, he came into rehearsals of the Orchestra whenever he was able, and seemed to have a great curiosity and musical intelligence. It is thrilling to be reunited in this manner," said Judd.

The two collaborated again in 1994 when Roumain's composition Haitian Essay was performed by Judd and the Florida Philharmonic at the Broward Center while Roumain was just a university student.

"The educational mission of The Little Orchestra Society and creativity of this institution are what really drew me to participate in this program, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with James again and perform with the Orchestra," said Roumain.

The Little Orchestra Society will take the audience on a carnival-esque musical extravaganza with familiar favorites by Franz Joseph Haydn, Johann Strauss, John Philip Sousa and Julius Fu?ík, as well as a diverse program of works by contemporary masters including Samuel Barlow, David Little, Igor Stravinsky and guest soloist and composer, Daniel Roumain. Crowd favorite upbeat circus marches, known as "screamers," will also be prominently featured in the program.

"We are proud to share this venue for the first time with our longstanding friends at The Big Apple Circus. Music Under the Big Top is a whole new experience for The Little Orchestra Society and for its audience - the setting, the program and the conducting debut of James Judd as Music Director - marks a new chapter of experimenting and innovating for the Orchestra that will appeal to all," said Joanne Bernstein-Cohen, Executive Director.

Co-hosting the evening will be Tony Roberts, an award-winning film and theatre actor, known for his work in Woody Allen films. Judd and Roberts will narrate the 80-minute program with captivating stories of the circus and the festive music that audiences have come to love and identify with the magic of the big top.

Following the performance, The Little Orchestra Society will host a benefit event in the Rotunda Tent. Kathryn Korte; and LOS Board Members Dr. Christine Wheeler; Brigid and William S. Ohlemeyer; and Carol and Chuck Schaefer are the Benefit Co-Chairs. At the benefit, The Little Orchestra Society will honor WilLiam Craig, III, the Chair Emeritus of The Little Orchestra Society and long-time New York City real estate broker; and Robert B. Morrison, Founder of Quadrant Arts Education Research, one of the nation's leading arts education research and intelligence organization.

"Music Under the Big Top will help us continue to share classical music in bold, new ways with New York audiences while also supporting our music education and community engagement programs," said Bernstein-Cohen.

Music education programming has been a centerpiece of Judd's career. In 2008, he founded the Miami Music Project which provides education, instruction and performance opportunities for hundreds of children, based on the "El Sistema" model. The Little Orchestra Society's Musical Connections: The School Partnership ProgramTM, which brings music education to children with a range of musical skills in public school classrooms, will be buoyed by Judd's experience and input.

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