Greater Bridgeport Symphony to present free Pops Concert at Fairfield University | Press Releases

The Greater Bridgeport Symphony will present their annual free outdoor pops concert on Saturday, June 24, at 8 p.m., at Fairfield University's Bellarmine Hall lawn. A pre-concert program featuring the Neil Scott Jordan band will take place from 6 to 7 p.m.

Maestro Matthew Savery will return for his third year as guest conductor of the 50-member GBS orchestra who will delight audiences young and old with their renditions of light classics, opera favorites, Hollywood hits and swinging dance medleys. This year's program will feature the gifted young soprano Tamara Mesic, who will perform "Summertime" from Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess," and "Vilia, Vilia" from Lehar's "The Merry Widow."

Also included are selections from de Falla's spirited Spanish dances from the "Cornered Hat Suite;" Tchaikovsky's monumental "1812 Overture;" Johann Strauss' "Blue Danube Waltz;" Duke Ellington's jazz medley for orchestra, "The Typewriter," an inventive piece by Leroy Anderson; and exciting themes from Hollywood's "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "James Bond 007" and "Beauty and the Beast."

Also on tap are the memorable "Somewhere Out There;" the nostalgic "Twentiana" dance medley and John Philip Sousa's rousing "Stars and Stripes Forever." The Neil Scott Johnson Band, a country band with a modern edge, features Neil Scott Johnson on lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitar; Chris Tedesco on electric violin; Tom O'Brien on drums and percussion; Mike Plantino on bass; and Skip Crevins on lead guitar and pedal steel.

The concert is sponsored by Elizabeth M. Pfriem and Fairfield University. Concertgoers are encouraged to come early to set up picnic baskets, blankets and beach chairs. Gates open at 5 p.m., and shuttle buses will run continuously from parking lots on campus to Bellarmine Hall. No dogs are allowed.

In the event of rain the concert will take place Sunday, June 25, at 6 p.m., for the pre-concert and 8 p.m. for the symphony. If it rains on Sunday, the concert will take place indoors in Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts - same times as above. Admission to the Quick Center will be by ticket only, which may be obtained at the box office on Sunday between noon and 3 p.m. Tickets are first-come, first-serve and are limited to four per family. For more information call (203) 576-0263.