NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

9/01/2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- The Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Society has started its 2004-2005 membership drive. The Symphony Society is in its 38th year of helping provide outstanding concerts for the Natchitoches area and assisting Northwestern State music students with scholarships.

Members of the community are invited to attend a wine and cheese reception sponsored by the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Society Tuesday, Sept. 14 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the NSU President's Home. The reception is open to anyone interested in learning more about the orchestra and Symphony Society.

Last year, the Symphony Society provided more than $22,000 in scholarships for Northwestern music students. This scholarship assistance has played a major role in the development of the Mrs. H.D. Dear Sr. and Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts as one of the region's outstanding programs.

Memberships are available at five levels. Sponsor level is $50 and includes two season tickets while the Patron level is $100 and offers three season tickets. The Benefactor level is $250 and includes four season tickets.

Gold underwriters contribute at the $500 level and receive four season tickets plus four table tickets for the annual Pops concert, two tickets for any musical or gala, one-eighth page ad in the program and a decal with the symphony logo.

A donation of $1,000 or more entitles donors to Platinum underwriters benefits which includes six season tickets plus eight table tickets for the annual Pops concert, two tickets for any musical or gala, one-fourth page ad in the program and a decal with the symphony logo.

A portion of donations may be tax deductible.

The 2004-2005 season begins with the Pops Concert on Thursday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Prather Coliseum. This year's concert will feature several well-known selections with a Western theme and will be the debut of conductor Douglas Bakenhus.

The second concert is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. The concert will feature violinist Dr. Andrej Kurti, a member of Northwestern's faculty.

On Dec. 2-3, the orchestra will combine with other ensembles within the Mrs. H.D. Dear Sr. and Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts to present the annual Christmas Gala in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium.

Winners of the NSU Concerto competition will be featured during the first concert of 2005, which will be on Thursday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall.

The season's final concert will be Thursday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall and will feature the orchestra, NSU's combined choirs and Assistant Professor of Music Terrie Sanders.

Bakenhus has extensive experience as a conductor, orchestra director, and instructor. He has been music director/conductor of the Austin Philharmonic for two years and music director/conductor of the Northeast Texas Symphony and orchestra director at Crockett High School for the past year.

His past experience also includes serving as band director and an assistant professor at Texas Lutheran University and assistant band director at the University of Mississippi.

Bakenhus has been an active performer, playing bassoon with orchestras and ensembles throughout Texas and in the Midwest.

For more information on joining the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Society, contact Membership Chair Markay Cunningham at 352-6314.

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