Grant funds to support BSO, Kruger Brothers collaboration

BANGOR – Seven arts and cultural organizations in Maine will receive a total of $135,000 in grant money from the National Endowment for the Arts, the federal agency announced Tuesday.

Among the recipients is the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, which will receive a $10,000 Access to Artistic Excellence grant to support a collaboration with the bluegrass trio the Kruger Brothers. The funds will go toward the 2007 world premiere of “Music from the Spring: A Romantic Serenade for Banjo, Guitar, Bass & Orchestra,” a symphonic work composed by banjo player Jens Kruger.

“The Bangor Symphony Orchestra is honored to be the orchestra with whom the Kruger Brothers chose to work in bringing this new form of music to life,” said Susan Jonason, BSO executive director. “We are thrilled that this special collaboration has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts for its significance to the music world.”

As part of the ongoing collaboration, the BSO developed “Strings Attached,” an educational outreach program which sends the Krugers and other music ensembles into local classrooms. During the spring of 2007, outreach programs will feature the Krugers, the Abbott Hill Ramblers from Dexter, the Bangor Fiddlers and BSO musicians in Bangor, Ellsworth, Farmington and Kingfield venues.

Originally from Switzerland, the Kruger Brothers began performing in 1973, and appearing regularly in the United States since 1997. During the summer of 2006, the Krugers performed with BSO at Kingfield Pops and at Camden Pops.

Other awardees include the Alice James Poetry Cooperative Inc. in Farmington, the Bates (College) Dance Festival in Lewiston, the Brunswick Area Arts & Cultural Alliance, Cultural Resources Inc. in Rockport, the Portland Symphony Orchestra and the Maine Arts Commission.