OV E R T U R EIn This Issue

President’s MessageParillo Piano Competition

Classical Breakfast ReservationsTuesday in the Park

Symphony Repertoire 2002-03

July 2002 Volume 2, No. 4

Walter GrattidgeReceives SSO

Encore Award

The Schenectady SymphonyOrchestra paid tribute to WalterGrattidge with the presentationof the year 2002 Encore Award forservice to the Orchestra.Mr. Grattidge received the awardduring intermission of the finalSSO concert on Wednesday, April10 at 7:30 p.m. at Proctor'sTheatre, Schenectady. Inrecognizing Mr. Grattidge, SSOPresident Howard Carpenter said"I'm fortunate to have beenassociated with Walter not only asthe Symphony Registrar, but as areal contributor to many of itsother endeavors. His advice andcounsel as a member of the Boardhas been invaluable. Withouthesitation he has steppedforward to assist not only theSymphony, but numerous othercommunity efforts as well. Heshould be proud of hiscontributions to our community."

Schenectady’s SummerSymphony

Summer Gala

Thursday, August 1 - The Schenectady Symphony Orchestra willsponsor its sixth annual Summer Gala at SPAC. The evening will include achampagne buffet on the Portico of the magnificent Hall of Springsand a concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra at Saratoga Performing ArtsCenter. Charles Dutoit will conduct the program which features giftedyoung artist, Sarah Chang, playing the Violin Concerto by JohannesBrahms. The evening will also feature Ein Heldenleben (A Hero's Life),a symphonic poem byRichard Strauss.

Committee Chairs are BilliePemberton of Niskayunaand Eugene Zeltman ofClifton Park. Tickets for theSSO / SPAC Gala, includingthe champagne reception,gourmet dinner andconcert seats, are $110 perperson. Patrons who have already ordered tickets to the August 1st

concert at SPAC, may still join the party for dinner. The cost of the eventless the concert tickets is $85 per person.

Funds from the SPAC Gala will help meet the general operating expensesof the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra. A portion of your contributionwill be tax deductible. Those who wish to receive an invitation, pleasecall Billie Pemberton at 518-393-3076.

Classical Breakfast

Sunday, August 4 - The Schenectady Symphony Orchestra presentsa Classical Breakfast on Sunday, August 4, 2002 at the Central ParkPavilion from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. featuring the Women of Note stringquartet with guest Thomas Gerbino on clarinet. The ClassicalBreakfast is sponsored by Schenectady VanCurler Music.Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for children under 13 - call the SSOoffice at 518-372-2500 for reservations, or complete form on page 3.

President's Message

"The Schenectady Symphony has never soundedbetter," applauded critic Ron Emery of the TimesUnion in a review of the Fourth subscription concertof the season. Artistically, this past year was certainly abanner year for the Schenectady SymphonyOrchestra, one in which the Symphony achieved newaccolades for its musical achievements.

"One of the most valuable things an organization likethe Schenectady Symphony can do for its communityis to provide an opportunity for deserving youngmusicians to perform with an orchestra before anaudience," reported critic Bill Rice of the Daily Gazette.Indeed, the Orchestra has become an importantvehicle for showcasing talented musicians with localconnections. The Music Director and the MusicalAffairs Committee together have selected programswhich bring out the best of the musicians whoperform with the Orchestra.

The year was a clear artistic success, againemphasizing the role of the Schenectady SymphonyOrchestra as a positive contributor to the quality oflife in Schenectady County. However, the events of lastfall brought about a loss in revenue to stategovernment, a change in its funding priorities and ashift of private charitable contributions to aid thesurvivors and the recovery efforts. Although wecontinue to obtain new grants, underwriters andsponsors, we have encountered the limitations of theresources of state government and the local businesscommunity. We continue to face the difficultchallenge of raising sufficient funds to support the

First Place Winner was 16-year-oldWei-Hsun Yuan from Troy, NY, whoplayed Chopin’s Scherzo #3 Op.39, C# minor.

The second-place winnerwas14-year-old Heather Chanfrom Niskayuna, who performedSchumann’s Aufschwung fromFantasiestucke.

Symphony's mission, and this fiscal year is anticipatedto close in a deficit condition.

One need only consult the Daily Gazette to view thenumber and variety of classical offerings available toresidents of the Capital District. We continue to facethe ultimate strategic issue of whether this Orchestrahas a place on the calendar of events and, if so, if itcan be supported to the extent necessary to assure itssurvival. This coming year we will focus on enhancingthe number of season subscribers, thus not onlyimproving the financial condition of the Orchestra,but providing proof that this community can and willsupport a first-class community orchestra

Our coming season provides an outstanding programfor classical music lovers and invites newcomers tojoin us as we celebrate the variety and depth of thegenre, with performances by celebrated pianist JuanaZayas, outstanding young cellist Clancy Newman,engaging pianist Findlay Cockrell and a presentationfrom a 200-member chorus in the Beethoven'smagnificent Ninth Symphony.

I urge you to give us your message of support -subscribe now to the Schenectady SymphonyOrchestra's 2002-2003 Season. Subscription andsustaining membership information is available onour website (www.schenectadysymphony.org) or bycalling our office at 518-372-2500. I look forward toseeing you at Proctor's Theatre on October 5th!

Howard G. Carpenter, Jr.President

Teens Place in the Louise DeFeo ParilloPiano Competition

There were a total of seven pianistscompeting for the two prizes. Thetwo winners received their checks atthe Stefan Musicale on May 15th atthe McChesney Room of theSchenectady Library

The adjudicators for the competitionwere Chuck Schneider, JoannRautenberg and Suzanne Lake.

Thanks go to CommitteeChairman Richard Campagnoni,Gerry Haines and Sharon Chu fortheir help organizing andpreparing for this year'scompetition.

Classical Breakfast Please reply by July 31, 2002.

Yes, I’d like to make reservations for the Classical Breakfast on Sunday, August 4 at Central Park!

Please hold ________ adult tickets ($10 each) _________ youth tickets ($7.00 each) for me at the door.

Total amount owed: _________

❐ Enclosed is my check made payable to the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra.

❐ I’d rather pay by credit card: Master Card/ VISA account #:______________________ Exp. Date: __________

Signature:_____________________________________

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________________

City: _______________________________________ State: _________ ZIP: __________________

Telephone: _______________________________________

Please return this form to the SSO, Proctor’s Arcade, 432 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305.Your reservation will be confirmed by phone.

Tuesday in the Park

Tuesday, August 6 - Join your orchestra at the Agnes Macdonald Music Havenstage in Central Park for the fabulous fireworks as the grand finale of Tuesday InThe Park! Tuesday, August 6, at 8:00 p.m. (Raindate - Wednesday August 7)

El Capitan March - John Philip Sousa

Semper Fidelis March

The American Frontier - Arranged by Calvin Custer

Salute to Richard Rodgers on his 100th Birthday

Oklahoma Medley - Richard Rodgers

The Sound of Music

Phantom of the Opera Medley - Andrew Lloyd Webber

Salute to New York City - Arranged by Calvin Custer 8 min.

1812 Overture - Peter Ilytch Tchaikowsky

Stars and Stripes Forever - John Philip Sousa

Overture is the newsletter of theSchenectady Symphony Orchestra.

We are a community-basedsymphony orchestra, founded in 1934,

whose objectives are culturalenrichment, music education andappreciation, and provision of an

outlet for the talents of accomplishedmusicians in the community.

O V E R T U R ENon-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 103

Schenectady, NY

The Schenectady Symphony OrchestraProctor’s Arcade • 432 State Street

Schenectady, NY 12305

CONCERT I Saturday, October 5, 2002 8:00 p.m.Virtuoso Pianist Juana Zayas returns to perform the majestic Piano Concerto No.2 of Johannes Brahms on a programthat includes the famous "Surprise" Symphony No. 94 of Franz Joseph Haydn and the thrilling Dances of Galanta ofHungarian Zoltan Kodaly.

CONCERT II Sunday, November 10, 2002 3:00 p.m.Naumburg-Award winner and Guilderland native Clancy Newman returns to Schenectady to perform theexciting Cello Concerto of Antonin Dvorak on a program that opens with the brilliant Overture to "TheBartered Bride" and includes the compelling Symphony No. 5 "Reformation" of Felix Mendelssohn.

CONCERT III Thursday, March 20, 2003, 7:30 p.m.We welcome back to our orchestra pianist Findlay Cockrell to perform George Gershwin's jazzy masterpiece,The Concerto in F, on a program that also includes the familiar Overture to "Prometheus" of Beethovenand Dvorak's tuneful Symphony No. 8.

CONCERT IV Sunday, April 27, 2003 3:00 p.m.Beethoven's magnificent Ninth Symphony will bring the season to a grand finale with a tribute tothe brotherhood of man as sung by a chorus of 200 members.

*FALL FESTIVAL Saturday, November 2, 2002 8:00 p.m.Featuring Jay Ungar & Molly Mason

Noted folk combo Jay Ungar and Molly Mason have brought their union of classical orchestration and folk favorites tofruition with their Harvest Home Suite. Join them as they celebrate the seasons in our Fall Festival Concert.

Tickets: $20 adults, $10 high school/college student, $5 children under 13

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! CALL 518-372-2500!Schenectady Symphony Repertoire 2002-030

Season Subscription Rates $70.00/adults (or $17.50/concert) for the four subscription concerts $35.00 /students (or $8.75/concert)

Free – up to 3 children under 13 with paying adult

Single Tickets $22.00 /adults$12.00/students (high school/college)Free – up to 3 children under 13 with paying adultAll Concerts at Proctor’s Theatre

Ticket Prices: