Symphony Under the Stars hits 10-year mark on Saturday
For the tenth year, a capacity crowd of more than 5,000 concert-goers is expected to attend the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra’s summer concert. The free community concert, “Symphony Under the Stars,” will be held on Saturday, July 26, at Fox Cities Stadium-Neuroscience Group Field, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Jamie LaFreniere, FVSO Executive Director, says that this is the musicians' favorite concert. “We’re so excited for this concert every year. It really is our gift to the community and a great way for us to bring everyone together to celebrate. Music can be so transformative, and we’re really grateful so many people want to spend this time with us.”
As is the tradition, the first half of the program will feature light classical music. For many of the attendees, this may be their first introduction to orchestral music. A John Phillip Sousa march will be included because “every concert needs a march,” said LaFreniere.
Russ and the Renegades, the FVSO’s own rock band, will perform as part of the second half of the program. The Renegades, along with the orchestra, will perform Hotel California by Eagles. Russ Peterson, a friend and colleague of Sutterlin, is the organizer of the rock band.
(Photos courtesy of Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra)
Concert goers will also be treated to a performance by the MacDowell Male Chorus and the Fox Valleyaires, a men’s barbershop chorus.
The evening extravaganza will end with a fireworks display.
Conductor Keven Sutterlin was first welcomed as director of the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra in 2019. In addition to his role as conductor of FVSO, Sutterlin is Director of Orchestral Activities and Assistant Professor of Instrumental Conducting at Concordia College in Fargo, North Dakota.
Born in Germany, Sutterlin came to the U.S. as a high school foreign exchange student. He received degrees from the Hochschule Luzern-Musik in Lucerne, Switzerland, and the University of Memphis. Sutterlin continues to travel extensively as a guest conductor and teacher and is a strong advocate for innovative music.
The 3 p.m. rehearsal at the stadium on the day of the performance is open to the public. The evening concert begins at 7:30 p.m. with the doors open at 6. The event, as well as parking, is free. Food and drink are available for purchase. Tailgating is encouraged.
Limited reserve seating is available for purchase at the ticket link. The proceeds will help defray some of the production costs. Lighthouse Productions provides the extensive staging, lighting, and sound.
The FVSO has performed their summer concert despite extreme heat and even through a slight drizzle. As they say, the show must go on. Except during a rainstorm, which would then require the event to be cancelled.
