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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phoenix Symphony Launches Interactive Concert Enhancement GLOW IN THE DARK CLUB
Audiences to bring laptops and PDA's to concert to view Keeping ScoreTM concert commentary and program notes in real time.
PHOENIX - In the interest of developing new audiences and to welcome the new students and faculty of ASU to downtown Phoenix, The Phoenix Symphony announces a new "beta test" of its Glow in the Dark Club. The Glow in the Dark Club is designated for a special section of the theater where audiences can bring their laptops, iPhones or PDA's, connect to the internet and view concert commentary in real time via a web based reader. The first trial of this concert enhancement will be held at the opening night performance of Bartók's Concert for Orchestra - The Heritage of World Folk on September 11th at 7:30 pm in Symphony Hall. Glow in the Dark Club tickets are $10 and seating is located in a specially designated section in the balcony of Symphony Hall. "Glow" tickets may be purchased by visiting www.phoenixsymphony.org and entering GLOW in the promo code box.
The concert commentary consists of Virginia G. Piper Music Director Michael Christie's Keeping Score(tm) an informative, musical guide that provides information and background on the composition as the orchestra performs the piece. Keeping Score(tm) will be displayed via a web page that can be viewed through complimentary access to high-speed wireless internet in the theater--digitizing the traditional concert hall experience.
The first Glow in the Dark Club experiment will kick off with the first concert of the Target World Music Festival, featuring Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra, performances by world-renowned Chinese pipa player Wu Man and the colorful songs of the Romashka Gypsy Folk Troupe.
This experiment marks the first of its kind for The Phoenix Symphony and their outreach to the ASU Downtown community to present traditional world and symphonic music with a twenty-first century twist. "In an ever-changing world of information, it can be easy to overlook the power of music," President and CEO of The Phoenix Symphony Maryellen Gleason remarks. "Our attempt with our new Glow Section and Keeping Score is two-fold: to make symphonic concerts relevant to today's audiences by fusing music and technology, while preserving an inviting atmosphere for our ASU and local family in Phoenix. We are extremely excited to bring this opportunity to our audience and enhance our concerts at Symphony Hall utilizing the new technologies and devices available.
Debra Friedman, University Vice President and Dean of ASU College of Public Programs agrees. "We are thrilled that the Phoenix Symphony is providing this one-of-a-kind opportunity for our students, faculty and staff. The ASU Downtown Phoenix campus is fortunate to be a stone's throw away from the major cultural institutions in Phoenix. We are grateful to the Phoenix Symphony for extending the boundaries of the education of ASU students by its innovative approach."
Future performances of the Glow in the Dark Club will be announced following the feedback and reception of this first beta test.
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About The Phoenix Symphony: The Phoenix Symphony has been proudly serving the citizens of the Phoenix metropolitan area and Arizona since 1947. What began as an occasional group of musicians performing a handful of concerts each year (in a city of fewer than 100,000 people) today serves more than 300,000 people annually, with 275 concerts and presentations throughout the greater Phoenix area and beyond.
Under the artistic leadership of Michael Christie as the Virginia G. Piper Music Director and administrative leadership of President Maryellen H. Gleason, the orchestra is overseen by the non-profit Phoenix Symphony Association under Board Chairman Ed Wolf.
The 76-member Phoenix Symphony presents an annual season from September through the beginning of June, featuring full-length classical and pops concerts at Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix, as well as concerts in Scottsdale, Mesa, Prescott and throughout central Arizona. The Symphony performs for more than 50,000 students and children, helping to introduce music to new generations through a variety of education and youth-engagement programs.
--------------------------------------------------------- The Phoenix Symphony's 2007-08 Media Sponsors are The Arizona Republic and KAET.
