Live music returns to Hodges Park on June 23 with the first in a series of outdoor, summer night concerts featuring the Park Ridge Fine Arts Symphony.
The concerts, a summertime staple in Uptown Park Ridge, will again be conducted by Barbara Schubert and begin at 8 p.m. each Friday, from June 23 through July 21, on the steps of City Hall, 505 Butler Place, across the street from Hodges Park.
“We’re really pleased to have a five-concert season again,” Schubert said.
As in past years, there will be concerts that focus on film and Broadway numbers, as well as patriotic music just prior to Independence Day, she said.
“The other programs will feature the usual combination of familiar music and some new orchestration from different pieces,” Schubert said. “We hope it showcases the tremendous variety of orchestral music and the strength and sound of the orchestra.”
The concert schedule is as follows:
* June 23, Masterful Melodies. Pieces include Wagner’s “Meistersinger Prelude,” Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 in D, and other “romantic” numbers. Park Ridge Community Women will also be conducting a basket raffle from 6 to 9 p.m.
* June 30, Americana. Traditional American songs will be performed, featuring baritone Matthan Ring Black.
* July 7, Hungarian Spice, featuring Brahms’ “Hungarian Dances,” Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody,” and Leo Weiner’s “Hungarian Folk Song Suite.”
* July 14, Bastille Day Bonanza. This concert will feature French arias, art songs and cabaret tune performed by soprano Jessica Aszodi, plus orchestral selections by Berlioz, Debussy and Franck.
* July 21, Stage and Screen. Theme songs from film scores will be performed, in addition to medleys from recent Broadway shows, including “Hamilton.”
The Brian Patti Orchestra will perform on July 28.
Concerts are free to attend, but free-will donations to the Park Ridge Fine Arts Society are accepted in order keep the music going, Schubert said.
“The concerts are still free, but we appreciate and rely on donations,” she explained. “While they are free to attend, people have to understand that they are not free to produce. It’s a professional orchestra, so the musicians and soloists are paid.”
Other costs include setting up sound equipment and paying for the licensing of the music that is performed, Schubert said.
“Each concert costs about $10,000 to produce,” she added.
For more information about the Park Ridge Fine Arts Society or to make a donation, visit www.prfas.org.
The Park Ridge Park District is also sponsoring concerts at Hodges Park and Prospect Park this summer, in addition to the music performed during the annual Park Ridge July 3 fireworks at Maine East High School, 2601 W. Dempster St.
Dates of the park district concerts can be found on the park district’s monthly calendar at www.prparks.org/Events.
Twitter: @Jen_Tribune
