The Orchestra Now to Make New York City Concert Debut at Lehman College, 11/22

Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, October 27, 2015 - The Orchestra Now, the innovative new master's degree program and graduate training orchestra founded by Bard College in 2015, will make its New York City debut at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts at Lehman College, in the Bronx on Sunday, November 22 at 3 pm. Brazilian-born conductor Marcelo Lehninger, currently Music Director of the New West Symphony Orchestra in Los Angeles, will lead the Orchestra of 37 young graduate musicians from around the world and pianist Blair McMillen in a program of Prokofiev, Haydn, and Mozart. The concert marks the start of T?N's Around Town series, a string of FREE performances in New York City boroughs that continues through April 29. The next concert in the series will take place in Manhattan's East Village at Cooper Union's Great Hall on Dec 18, 2015.

Sun, Nov 22, 2015 at 3 PM

Around Town: Lehman Center for the Performing Arts at Lehman College, in the Bronx

Marcelo Lehninger will conduct the New York City debut of The Orchestra Now in a program featuring two works by Prokofiev: one of his most popular pieces, the Classical Symphony; and the dazzling Piano Concerto in No. 4--played with only the left hand--performed by American pianist Blair McMillen. The afternoon will also include Mozart's playful Symphony No. 35 and another showcase for Mr. McMillen, Haydn's Piano Concerto in D major.

Marcelo Lehninger, conductor

Blair McMillen, piano

Prokofiev: Classical Symphony
Haydn: Piano Concerto in D major
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 4
Mozart: Symphony No. 35, "Haffner"

Tickets: FREE tickets available at the box office at 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West in the Bronx, or by calling 718.960.8833. Tickets are not available online.

About The Orchestra Now

T?N was founded in 2015 as a graduate training orchestra and three-year master's degree program designed to prepare musicians for challenges facing the modern symphony orchestra. The Orchestra's creation is based on the belief that to survive today's musical landscape, contemporary musicians must go beyond the perfection of performance skills and repertoire. They must learn how to connect with concertgoers and create new ways to break down the barriers of reaching new audiences. To achieve this goal, the innovative T?N curriculum involves both practical and academic activity comprising intensive, regular weekly orchestra rehearsal and course study with Bard College faculty, guest scholars, and performing artists. A Teaching Artist Program provides opportunities for students to engage in community outreach and education programs, and the graduate curriculum culminates in such independent study projects as managing a performing ensemble, curating a program that explores a topic of social importance, or working with community members to express life experiences through music. Musicians are selected through an audition process. All participants selected for the program will earn a Masters of Music in Curatorial, Critical, and Performance Studies, and receive a full-tuition scholarship and health benefits. For more information, visit www.theorchestranow.org

Leon Botstein

Leon Botstein brings a renowned career as both an educator and a conductor to his role as founder of Bard College's new master's degree program and Music Director of The Orchestra Now. He has been the President of Bard College since 1975, co-Artistic Director of Bard SummerScape and the Bard Music Festival since their creation, and Music Director of the American Symphony Orchestra since 1992. He also served as the Music Director of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra from 2003 to 2011 and is now Conductor Laureate. Mr. Botstein has an active career as a guest conductor with orchestras around the globe and has made numerous recordings, as well as being a prolific author and music historian. He has received numerous honors for his contributions to the music industry. More info online at LeonBotsteinMusicRoom.com.