For the week of August 6 - 12, 2003

Imagine a place where everyone has tickets to the symphony

SVSS fills the week with concerts

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By ADAM TANOUS
Express Arts Editor

The Sun Valley Summer Symphony is in full swing this week with its Gala Benefit tonight and concerts nightly through Wednesday, Aug. 13.

The symphony’s black tie benefit dinner takes place tonight at River Grove Farm in Hailey. Following dinner, world-class rider and Wood River Valley resident, Debbie McDonald will perform with her dressage mare, Brentina, to the sounds of the Sun Valley Summer Symphony. Alasdair Neale, musical director of SVSS, will conduct the full symphony in this unique event.

Thursday evening is Chamber Music night, with Alison Harney directing members of the SVSS in pieces by Mozart, Hellendaal and Arnold.

Friday marks the return of the Family Festival—a day designed for the entire family, but especially for preschool and early elementary aged children. The fun kicks off at 10 a.m. with the Toy Store’s Doll Buggy Parade. Children will be led into the symphony tent where they can explore the wonders of music through art, movement and sound. Also on tap is the Instrument Petting Zoo, sponsored by the Tracy Bay Music Studio, in which children can touch, blow, bang and strum real instruments. The intermediate level students of the SVSS workshops will perform at 3 p.m. Then at 6:30 p.m. the advanced students take the stage.

Saturday evening will surely be a highlight of the concert season as Erich Kunzel, Conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, will conduct "Western Night at the Pops." The evening repertoire includes works from "The Magnificent Seven," "From Sea to Shining Sea," and the theme from "Big Country."

Neale once again takes the baton for the Sunday through Tuesday concerts. Featured soloist Sunday will be cellist Steven Honigberg. Monday Stephen Paulson on bassoon and Jeremy constant on violin will be soloists. Andrew McCandless takes the spotlight Tuesday.

All this, and it’s still only week two of the season. Next week promises another lineup of exceptional concerts in an exceptional setting. And hard as it is to believe, all of this is free of charge.

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.