New Haven Symphony Orchestra to perform holiday concert at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts

November 21, 2003

The New Haven Symphony Orchestra, one of the oldest orchestras in the United States, will perform "Sounds of the Season," a concert of holiday favorites, on Friday, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m. at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.

Conducted by Gerald Steichen, the orchestra will offer a program of traditional carols and holiday standards, including selections from Menotti's "Amahl and the Night Visitors." Other selections on the varied program are: "Winter Wonderland," "O Holy Night," "I Saw Three Ships" and "Jingle Bell Rock."

Guest artists for the concert are soprano Angela Simpson and the Litchfield County Children's Choir.

The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) first rehearsed in 1894 and gave its inaugural concert in January 1895. It is the fourth orchestra to form in the United States, following the New York Philharmonic and the Boston and Chicago symphonies. Since its beginnings, the NHSO has performed regularly in New Haven and has toured extensively throughout the state and beyond, including performances at Carnegie Hall.

In addition to presenting a classical repertoire, the orchestra has a tradition of performing pops concerts, including appearances at the Quick Center. Guest artists have included Renee Fleming, Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Marvin Hamlisch, Sarah Vaughn and James Taylor.

Steichen, who is NHSO's assistant conductor, will lead the 70-member orchestra at the Quick Center concert. A member of the New York City Opera staff, he spent several years conducting the national tour of "Phantom of the Opera" and conducted the final performances of "Cats," the longest-running show in Broadway history.

Tickets to the concert are $30 and $35. For tickets, call the Quick Center box office at 203-254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396. For more information, visit the website, www.quickcenter.com. Media inquiries should be made to Dana Ambrosini, Fairfield University's assistant director of media relations, at 203-254-4000, ext. 2726.

Fairfield University is a comprehensive Jesuit university that prepares undergraduate, graduate and continuing education students for leadership and service in a constantly changing world. U.S. News and World Report's 2003 "America's Best Colleges" ranks Fairfield third among universities with master's programs in the North. Approximately 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students from 37 states, 43 countries, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are enrolled at the University's six schools. The University was founded in 1942 in the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, Connecticut.