ECKART PREU MAKES DEBUT AT PARKS CONCERTS

Aug 26, 2004

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow

SPOKANE - The Spokane Symphony will introduce its new music director Eckart Preu to the thousands who bring their blankets and lawn chairs to its annual outdoor concerts during the first week in September.

This year there are two concerts, one at Pavillion Park in Liberty Lake on Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. and one at Comstock Park on Spokane's South Hill on Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. This year there will not be a Northside concert at Audubon Park due to budgetary constraints.

The Friends of Pavillion Park with support from the City of Liberty Lake make the Liberty Lake concert possible. The Comstock Park concert is funded by sponsorships from U.S. Bank, Spokane Parks Foundation, Spokane County Title, Spokesman Review, and the Annual Fund of the Spokane Symphony.

The parks concerts are an important part of our mission to take music to the people of this region, but due to a $300,000 decrease in support from our Endowment Fund, we have had to do some very serious belt tightening said John Hancock, executive director.

The reduced funding from the endowment comes from decreased fund value as well as a new and more restricted payout policy created to ensure that the value of the fund grows -- protecting the Symphony's financial future. During this economic downturn, corporate and foundation support for these free to the public events has decreased dramatically.

The long-awaited debut of the new Music Director Preu is the highlight of these popular concerts. The energetic and charismatic conductor will introduce a new musical program featuring some traditional selections from Copland, Sousa, John Williams and Gershwin but also some previews of the season with selections form Grieg, Nielson and Strauss. As special guest conductor, Mayor Jim West will conduct Stars and Stripes Forever.

Preu was selected from a field of more than 200 and was the choice of the search committee, musicians, staff and audience. The 35-year-old East German-born conductor comes to Spokane from the Richmond (Va.) Symphony where he has served as associate conductor.

The representatives from the Symphony, Fox Theater, and Symphony Associates will join the Fall Arts Preview sponsored by the City of Spokane at 4 p.m. The 19-year tradition of the Symphony at Comstock Park has thousands bringing their families and picnic baskets to mark the unofficial end of summer. Concessions from David's Pizza, and others will offer on-site refreshments.

CALENDAR LISTINGS:
FREE SPOKANE SYMPHONY PARK CONCERT: Saturday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m. at Pavillion Park at Liberty Lake; Eckart Preu conducting; Call 326-3136 for more information.

FREE SPOKANE SYMPHONY PARK CONCERT: Monday, Sept. 6, 6 p.m. at Comstock Park; Eckart Preu; Call 326-3136 for more information.