NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The GRAMMY Award-winning Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) closes the curtain on its 23-24 season with an inspirational benefit concert – ROOTED IN RHYTHM: CELEBRATING NOLA JAZZ AND CLASSICAL TRADITIONS – on Friday, May 17, at the Orpheum Theater at 7:30 p.m. This final concert aims to benefit LPO education and community engagement programs. LPO Music Director Matthew Kraemer concludes his inaugural season with direction of LPO musicians in an All-American program with special guests PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND and award-winning pianist SEAN CHEN. For more information, visit www.lpomusic.com.
The LPO’s benefit concert in collaboration with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band is made possible with the generous support of the Preservation Hall Foundation.
“The impact that music education and community programming have on the cultural and educational life of New Orleans is undeniable,” says LPO Executive Director Anwar Nasir. “The LPO strives to be a rich source of cultural enrichment on and off the stage, and we are proud to be able to serve audiences of all ages and abilities through the power of music.”
CELEBRATING THE RHYTHM OF NEW ORLEANS
The evening’s All-American program celebrates the rich rhythmic influences of the classical and jazz genres represented in New Orleans’ musical landscape – highlighting two artistic marvels from past and present. Launching this celebratory program is American composer and pianist George Gershwin’s Cuban Overture, “Rhumba.” A composition inspired by a trip to Cuba, Gershwin’s overture embodies the spirit of Cuban dance and culture with prominent percussion instrumentation including claves, maracas and bongo drums. Following “Rhumba” is Gershwin’s Concerto in F major for Piano and Orchestra, a rarely performed concerto and one of his largest and most complex works. Award-winning pianist SEAN CHEN makes his LPO debut to play the concerto’s majestic melodies emulating the sounds of the roaring ’20s. Closing the program is New Orleans’ own Preservation Hall Jazz Band performing original works alongside founding member and tuba player, Ben Jaffe.
AMPLIFYING EDUCATION THROUGH MUSIC
The LPO’s Rooted in Rhythm Benefit Concert marks the first-ever collaboration between the LPO and the renowned Preservation Hall Jazz Band. This historic collaboration is a continuation of LPO’s work to amplify and support local talent making monumental contributions to the city’s cultural sphere. New Orleans artists who have joined the LPO include the Lost Bayou Ramblers, Tank and the Bangas, Big Freedia and Alfred Banks among others. The LPO and Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s shared mission to create impactful and high-quality music education initiatives fosters the musicians of tomorrow and creates a deep-rooted legacy of musical enrichment for generations to come.
LPO MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS
The LPO’s music education programs have expanded to reach more students in the last five years than ever before. Earlier this year, the LPO launched a new pilot partnership with New Orleans Public Schools to provide increased access to two of the largest charter systems to attend LPO Concerts at no cost. Through the pilot year, the partnership reached over 3,000 3rd-5th graders in Orleans Parish.
LPO ACADEMY
The LPO Academy music mentorship program provides New Orleans youth the opportunity to intensively study instrumental music in one-on-one and small group settings with an LPO Musician Mentor. LPO Musician Mentors assist students with music theory, instrument technique, and other ways to connect with music and harness the mental, physical, and creative prowess critical to healthy youth development. LPO Academy partner sites include Bricolage Academy, Harriet Tubman Charter School, Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies, Homer Plessy Community School, Riverdale High School, Metairie Park Country Day School, and Willow School.
SOUL STRINGS
Soul Strings is a music therapy-informed program that serves students and adults with different developmental abilities in the Greater New Orleans area. LPO musicians work with a licensed music therapist in sessions that complement and reinforce therapy goals such as improving communication, memory, and attention skills. Soul Strings partner sites include St. Michael Special School and Magnolia Community Services.
TICKETS
Tickets are on sale now and range from $45-$175. Tickets can be purchased online at www.lpomusic.com or by contacting Patron Services by calling 504-523-6530. For information on available sponsorship opportunities, contact Stephanie Lobato by emailing stephanie.lobato@lpomusic.com.
