MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT—DRAFT MEDIA RELEASE

The Naval Postgraduate School joins the Monterey Bay Symphony, as well as the Monterey Symphony and Monterey Opera, in hosting a free concert on the lawn Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, beginning at 2 p.m. The music will be pops and patriotic in honor of the day.

This will be a special concert. Dr. Carl Christensen, music director of the Monterey Bay Symphony, will share the podium with Max Bragado-Darman, music director of the Monterey Symphony. It will be the first time the two Monterey County symphonies have performed together.

Among the selections conducted by Maestro Bragado-Darman will be Robert Padgett’s Fanfare for the Eagles, which recently won the Monterey Symphony competition for fanfare compositions. Padgett will be present as a violinist in the orchestra, along with his mother, RoseMarie Dunsford, who has played for many years with both symphonies.

Monterey Opera is sponsoring baritone-magician Patrick Bell, who will perform two arias simultaneously with magic tricks, in addition to beginning the concert by singing the National Anthem accompanied by the orchestra.

Encouraged and supported for a number of years by Colleagues of the Arts, 18-year-old French horn player Eliodoro Vallecillo will appear as a soloist during Maestro Christensen’s segment of the concert. Vallecillo has won wide recognition for his musicianship, including membership in the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra.

The four NPS academic schools, along with thirty non-profit organizations, will provide booth displays, many of them interactive. This is a family event with plenty to do for children and adults alike. Sandwiches, soft drinks, wine, and beer, as well as ice cream, will be available for purchase.

NPS gates will open at 10 a.m. for the general public and 9 a.m. for non-profit vendors. The public is asked to use the 3^rd Street gate. Handicapped, invited visitors, and vendors are to use the 9^th Street gate. Because a large audience is expected, attendees are advised to come early. Parking is limited. Although the concert is free, photo identification will be required for everyone over the age of 15. Dogs must be on leash at all times while on the base. An orchestra rehearsal beginning at 10 a.m. will be open to the public.