Benefit Pops! Concert a gift from musicians to BSO

ORONO – Each time a Bangor Symphony Orchestra musician picks up his or her instrument and plays, they are giving a gift of music to their audience.

The Bangor Symphony’s Benefit Pops! Concert on April 6 is one such special gift that the musicians are giving to the symphony and the community. Not only are they sharing their music, they are donating their time. From choosing the program to selecting a guest conductor, Benefit Pops! is their creation.

The Maine Center for the Arts also is contributing by donating the Hutchins Concert Hall. The size of the donations made by symphony musicians and MCA makes it possible for the public to participate in the fund-raiser simply by purchasing concert tickets.

This year’s benefit concert will feature Ludlow Hallman as conductor, composer-pianist Paul Sullivan and the symphony’s musicians. Program highlights include selections from Bizet’s “Carmen,” Copland’s “Hoedown” from the ballet “Rodeo” and Leroy Anderson’s “Bugler’s Holiday,” as well as a sampler of Paul Sullivan’s original compositions for piano and orchestra inspired by the natural beauty of Maine.

Benefit Pops! will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Maine Center for the Arts. Tickets are $15-$30, and half-price for children under 18. Call 942-5555, (800) 639-3221 or visit www.bangorsymphony.com for complete program information.