One of Texas' best-known musicians will join the Symphony of the Hills May 1 and May 4 in the final two concerts of the orchestra's 2007-8 season.  Cellist Kenneth Freudigman of San Antonio will appear with the Symphony as soloist in the Cello Concerto no. 1 in A minor, Opus 33, by Camille Saint-Saens.  Freudigman is principal cellist of the San Antonio Symphony, co-founder of the Camerata San Antonio Chamber Ensemble, Educational Director of the Cactus Pear Music Festival and Adjunct Professor or Music at the University of Texas at San Antonio,  Other pieces in the twin concerts will include Mikhail Glinka's Overture to the opera Ruslan and Ludmilla, and two works by Alexander Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia and Polovtsian Dances from "Prince Igor". Both events, at 7:30 p.m. May 1 and 2:30 p.m. May 4, will be in the Cailloux Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Kerrville.

Schreiner University Senior Katie Beth Lane of Mexia will be recognized at the concerts for her contributions as a member of the violin section and has been asked to conduct The Star-Spangled Banner at both events.  Vicki Smith Breeding will lead the audience in singing the National Anthem at both concerts. Faculty and advanced music students from Schreiner, along with professional musicians from throughout the Hill Country and the Austin and San Antonio areas, make up the orchestra, which is based at Schreiner.  Program notes by Mollie Ables on works to be performed in these concerts will be in the printed program and are available for review prior to the events at www.symphonyofthehills.org. Further information about the orchestra and its activities is available on that website and through the Symphony of the Hills Assn. offices at 830-792-7469.

Musicians in the orchestra include violinist Eric Bowser of Center Point; violinists Patricia Lee, Brad Lee, Ralph Chalfont and Bethany Prislovsky; violist Karen Billingsley, cellists Basil Sarweh, Daniel Prislovsky and Mark Nugent; flautists Michelle Adam, Katy Jones and Susan Love; bassoonists Jan Schmidt and Sandy Fusilier; French Horn players Bonnie Rockey and Marilyn Mueller; trumpeters George Eychner and Jason Adam; clarinetists Tom Terrell and Margie Schwartz; trombonists Jim Abbatiello and Ted Conerly; pianist Don Crandall and percussionists Jeff Miller and Richie Miller, all of Kerrville; and bass trombonist Joseph Allen and tuba player Charles Sander, of Harper.
 

Single-admission tickets remain available for both concerts. All seats are reserved, but students and their sponsors or adult escorts are admitted free on a space-available basis. Information on availability of seats can be obtained from the Cailloux Center box office, 830-896-9393, extension 2.

The Symphony of the Hills is supported through ticket sales, donations and sales of program advertising. The parent Symphony of the Hills Assn. has Section 501(c)3 status as a non-profit organization under the Internal Revenue Code, making donations beyond the basic $25 per ticket tax-deductible. The orchestra receives no federal or state funds, and logistic support comes from HEB Grocery Co. and Culligan and from the City of Kerrville through Playhouse 2000, which operates the theater.

CONTACTS: Dr. Jim Adams, President, 830-792-4716
Dr. Jay Dunnahoo, Conductor, 830-896-5636
Margie Schwartz, Administrative Asst, 830-792-6498