It's going by a new name, but the experience will be the same ever-popular orchestral play date on the grass.
The PGSO's biggest crowd of the year happens each autumn when they turn Fort George Park into their outdoor concert bowl and perform symphonic music in a setting far from the usual dark and earnest halls they are accustomed to being in. It used to be called Pops In the Park and now it is called Classics In the Park, just to reflect what the Prince George Symphony Orchestra is really about.
"The idea came from one of our longtime players, Carolyn McGhee [viola player]," said PGSO artistic director Kevin Zakresky. "One day she said to me, look, we're in one of the most beautiful places in the city, it's a lovely park, all these people come with their picnic blankets and packed lunches and bring the kids, why not play some great classical music one day? And the idea stuck."
The usual pop fare the PGSO doled out at the Fort George Park show was intended to give the audience something familiar to hold on to. That will continue, even though the music this Sunday, starting at 2 p.m., will reach farther back in time, said orchestra general manager Jeremy Stewart. He called the program "an end-of-summer blockbuster" for all the star power in the repertoire. In fact, the whole event is sort of a classical music Top 10 list.
"We have all heard this music time after time, and even if you can't remember the name of it, or you never knew it, we will be able to sort of put a face to the name for you," Zakresky said. "This will be a whole set of songs that will make you immediately think 'oh, oh, I know that one...' and we will talk about it a little and play it for you, live."
There is much more to the annual big outdoor kickoff to the PGSO season. One of the highlights for the fans is some select children who get brought onto the stage to guest conduct one of the numbers.
"That's the part I get most excited about - having all those young people leading the orchestra," Zakresky said.
He is also looking forward to showing off something completely new. The PGSO has taken promising B.C. composer Ryan Noakes under their collective wing and Classics In the Park will be debut of a new orchestral work by this up-and-coming music writer.
"This is a bit of a surprise in store,"
Zakresky said. "Ryan will be there in person, and the audience will hear that this is a bit of an old classic itself, that's been updated."
Another new feature this year is the title sponsor of the event. Stewart said the so-called New Ice Age has blown outside of CN Centre and has swept the PGSO up as well.
"The event also celebrates a new partnership between two of Prince George's home teams: the PGSO and the Prince George Cougars," Stewart said. The hockey team is putting its name on the Classics In the Park concert, and will play a role with the symphony all season long, and the PGSO logo will be emblazoned on the ice for Cougars home games and all the other on-ice events at the city's signature arena.
"The Cougars are massively involved in this show and in future shows," said Zakresky, "which is why I'll be conducting Classics In the Park wearing a Cougars jersey, which is the closest anyone will ever get to mistaking me for an athlete."
This concert event is a ceremonial puck-drop of sorts for the PGSO each year. It is the opening volley of what is to come in the new symphony season.
"What could be a better way of spending a summer Sunday afternoon than listening to such great music with family and friends, casually enjoying classical music as it was supposed be enjoyed?" said Zakresky. "Our season brochures will be available at the launch, so Prince George can see the big picture of what we have in store for it. This year is going to be a fantastic season of music making. For example, our first indoor concert at Vanier Hall features renowned pianist Jane Coop. But there's still time to savour the last days of the summer outside at Fort George Park."
Admission to Classics In the Park is free. Bring your own seating and come early for the best locations.
