Aug. 22, 2011
Bryan Symphony performs free concert under the stars Sunday, Sept. 4
NEWS UPDATE: Inclement weather resulted in a change of location. The BSO gave its Sept. 4 performance back at its resident concert hall, Wattenbarger Auditorium, to a standing-room-only crowd.
(COOKEVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 22, 2011) – It’s a Cookeville tradition now -- the annual free Bryan Symphony Orchestra concert under the stars during Labor Day weekend at the Dogwood Park Performance Pavilion, which began its 10th season this summer.
This year’s performance, set for Sunday, Sept. 4, begins with children’s activities at 6:30 p.m., and the music starts at 7:30 p.m.
The program – a playful mix of animal-themed movie soundtracks, operatic overtures and original music for children by BSO conductor Dan Allcott – includes selections from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, John Williams’ Jurassic Park and the mighty Rossini William Tell Overture.
Pre-concert activities this year, led by symphony volunteer Diane Glasgow, include fun for children and the young-at-heart -- making animal masks and sock puppet composers -- as well as polling audience members of all ages for their favorite composer. Diane and her husband, Sam Glasgow, sponsor the BSO’s annual outdoor concerts.
Dogwood Park, Cookeville’s foremost outdoors performance venue, is currently in the second phase of an ambitious expansion project. Its latest addition, a concession stand and restroom facility, is now complete. Irrigation work is under way, and more landscaping is scheduled for fall.
Between the curving stone amphitheater seating and the grounds at center stage, which are perfect for bringing a picnic blanket or folding chair, there’s plenty of room to lean back and enjoy the show.
Free parking is available throughout the downtown district.
In case of rain, the concert will be held at TTU’s Bryan Fine Arts Building.
The Dogwood Performance Pavilion opened 10 years ago, on June 2, 2002, with a four-hour celebration of local music, including a finale performed by the Bryan Symphony Orchestra.
Concert sponsors Sam and Diane Glasgow were part of a grassroots effort that made the construction of the performance pavilion possible. With support from the City of Cookeville, private partnerships with individuals and businesses resulted in enough funding to add the concert stage to Dogwood Park.
The Glasgows continue helping make live performances more accessible to more people. Because of their generosity, the BSO outdoors concerts are free.
Additional funding is provided by a grant from the Cookeville Arts Council.
The Sept. 4 free outdoors concert marks the opening of the BSO’s 49th season. Season tickets are available now by calling 931-525-2633. The only professional symphony outside a metropolitan area in Tennessee, the Bryan Symphony gives its subscription and education performances in Wattenbarger Auditorium, the concert hall of TTU’s Bryan Fine Arts Building, located at 1150 N. Dixie Ave., in Cookeville. The orchestra will be celebrating its 50th anniversary during the 2012-2013 season.
