Symphony orchestra to present Summer Musikfest' on July 24
NEWBURGH - The Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra and the City of Newburgh will unite once more to bring musicians and music lovers out into the idyllic setting of picturesque Downing Park for the annual Summer Musikfest. Fast becoming a Newburgh tradition, the free family concert of hum-along Broadway show tunes, rousing marches, and popular light classical selections is on Saturday, July 24, at 4 p.m. The rain date is July 25 at 4 p.m. Music director Woomyung Choe has several treats in store, including the return of the accomplished and crowd-pleasing Guest Conductor Steve Margoshes. Also new on the program is the conducting debut of the GNSO Conducting Auction winner. As in summers past, area students will be given the opportunity to play with the orchestra. The Kiddie Conductors, as always, can be expected to steal the show. Children from the audience who wish to take the podium will have a brief conducting lesson beforehand. An accomplished educator, performer, and conductor, Richard Haglund is the recently appointed Assistant Conductor of the Illinois Symphony and Music Director of the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony. He has conducted professional orchestras and choirs throughout the world, including the St. Petersburgh Hermitage Orchestra of Russia, the National Symphony Orchestra and Radio Choir of Ukraine, and the Varna Philharmonic of Bulgaria. Locally, he has served as Assistant Conductor to the Woodstock Chamber Orchestra and Bard Community Chorus. Minneapolis-born Haglund is also a talented percussionist and orchestral musician, having performed with professional groups in Minnesota and New York. Newburgh composer Steve Margoshes is probably best known for the International hit musical Fame, which has been performed in twelve languages and seen worldwide by over four million people. His numerous Broadway credits include Elton John's Aida, Smokey Joe's Cafe and the new Beach Boys musical Good Vibrations. Among his recordings are CD's of his symphonic music performed by the Budapest Symphony on Albany Records and "A Glass of Paint" solo piano compositions performed by Steve himself on 4 Tay Records. Margoshes is the recipient of two Drama Desk awards for orchestration. Bring chairs or blankets and enjoy lighthearted music in the park setting. Food and beverages provided by Chianti Restaurant will be available. Call 562-1800 for more information.