Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Applauds Kalamazoo Symphonic Musicians' Summer Park Concert Initiative

    KALAMAZOO, MI, July 21, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Kalamazoo Symphonic Musicians, an organization that includes musicians of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra living in our area, have taken it upon themselves to offer a free summer afternoon concert in Bronson park on Friday, August 26 at 7:00 p.m. "We applaud this initiative," said Peter H. Gistelinck, President & CEO of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. "Not only is the return of the Summer Park Concerts an important goal in the KSO's Strategic Plan, but the fact that our musicians have now taken it upon themselves to initiate this concert and are volunteering their time, is incredible. Especially during their annual vacation month of August, which is the month in which the KSO cannot plan any concerts for them."

KSO continues their fundraising efforts to bring back the much loved and truly missed KSO Summer Park Concerts as part of the core concert season. "Although we have been able to identify a significant amount so far, we still need around $50,000 in new sponsorships so that we can offer these concerts at no charge to the Kalamazoo community; a way to give back on an annual basis to our wonderful city," said Peter H. Gistelinck. "We are hopeful that we will continue to be successful with the sponsors we are currently cultivating so that we can include a Summer Park Concert as part of the 2017-2018 season, with the first concert in July 2017."

The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra receives major support from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra also receives generous support from other local, state and national foundations, as well as private and corporate support. For more information, visit www.kalamazoosymphony.com.

ABOUT THE KALAMAZOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Founded in 1921, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is Southwest Michigan's premier musical organization, providing musical enrichment to over 80,000 adults and youth per year. The third-largest professional orchestra in the state, the KSO has won numerous awards and grants, including the Met Life Award for Arts Access in Underserved Communities, the National Endowment for the Arts for its extensive education programs, and a major Ford Foundation grant to found its innovative Artist-in-Residence program.

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