Pegasus Orchestra Brings The Symphony Hall Experience To Small Town USA

Pegasus: the Orchestra- a professional orchestra dedicated tobringing symphony hall-style performances to underserved communities around New York City and beyond-has announced the finale to its first season will take place on the evening Thursday, May 24. The special Gala concert will take place at Mana Contemporary's Jersey City campus and will feature Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 performed by virtuoso pianist, Dror Baitel; Beethoven's powerful Symphony No. 5, conducted by Karén Hakobyan; along with others to be announced. All ticket proceeds will directly support Pegasus' ongoing efforts to create new jazz, world music, youth, and educational programs.

The Gala will also honor four community leaders: Steven Flop, the Mayor of Jersey City, Louis K. Meisel, art dealer, and Sherman and Joan Silber.

A member of Mana Contemporary's musician-in-residence program, Pegasus aims to grow interest in classical music and the performance arts by making grandiose performances typically reserved for large orchestra halls such as Lincoln Center or Carnegie Hall available to the regular public. The organization's first season kicked off in September of 2017 and included a mixed program of concerts spanning orchestra, piano, solos, duos, symphonies, and both original and fresh arrangements of historic pieces of classical music from across the globe. The group also launched its Americana program, which aimed to reach smaller communities throughout the Chicago, Philadelphia, Connecticut, and Miami areas through performances of historically American classical music and engaging educational initiatives.

"We're incredibly proud to support Pegasus in its mission to not only preserve but advance this country's rich classical music tradition," said Eugene Lemay, President and Director for Mana. "The experience and impact of a live orchestra performance is impossible to replicate, but unfortunately, many around the country simply don't have access. We're confident this kind of intimate, more inclusive approach will not only introduce many to classical music for the first time, but also inspire a whole new generation of performers."

Pegasus is currently fundraising for its second season and has launched a call for submissions, which would allow successful applicants the opportunity to be included in the Fall 2018 program-alongside music by Bernstein and other leading composers.

To purchase tickets for this week's performance, please click HERE. To learn more about Pegasus at Mana, visit manacontemporary.com/Pegasus.

*Pegasus: the Orchestra is not yet a nonprofit, but is in the final stages of the application process with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and they may acquire 501(c)(3) status very soon. If approved during the current fiscal year, a substantial portion of your donation may qualify as tax-deductible, and you will receive a letter from Pegasus: the Orchestra with that information.

ABOUT PEGASUS: THE ORCHESTRA?
Pegasus at Mana is committed to presenting world- class performances, building a unique platform for collaborations, fostering a creative environment for musicians, and providing educational opportunities?to local communities. Pegasus: the Orchestra presents programming that includes an adventurous mix of familiar and novel works, and select rehearsals will be open to the public as a means to offer audiences an exclusive glimpse into the creative process of the artists at work.

ABOUT MANA CONTEMPORARY?
Founded in 2011, Mana Contemporary is dedicated?to providing a platform for contemporary art and artists through exhibitions, studio programs, and public programs. Mana's community network began in New Jersey and has since expanded to include Mana Chicago (2013) and Mana Miami (2017). Mana Contemporary continues to create new partnership opportunities that explore the intersection of contemporary art, design, new technologies, and music. For more information, visit manacontemporary.com.

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