100 Years of Broadway on Upper Broadway

The InterSchool Orchestra's (ISO) Symphonic Band, helped by cabaret star Julie Wilson, celebrates the songbook with the chorus of the Professional Performing Arts School at Peter Norton Symphony Space on May 17, 2005 at 7:00 PM

(PRWEB) April 23, 2005 -- The InterSchool Orchestras of New York (ISO) Symphonic Band, directed by Brian P. Worsdale, and the chorus of the Professional Performing Arts School, celebrate 100 Years of Broadway, narrated by famed actress and cabaret artist Julie Wilson. This special benefit concert is at Peter Norton Symphony Space, Broadway at 95th Street, Tuesday, May 17, at 7:00 PM. Tickets, from $20-$125, can be obtained by calling ISO at (212) 410-0370.

The first half of the program will feature the world premiere of Overture in Eb, written for the ISO Band by Music Alive composer-in-residence Edward Green. In addition, classic band fare such as Pineapple Poll by Sir Arthur Sullivan and Blues Shades by Frank Ticeli complete the program. The Founders Award, given to a person or organization that has made a major contribution towards bringing music to young people, will be presented this year to Freddie Gershon, CEO, and Tim McDonald, Director of Creative Development, Music Theatre International.

Julie Wilson has dazzled audiences all over the world with her voice and her timeless interpretations of such composers as Kurt Weill, George Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Cy Coleman and Steven Sondheim. Her lifetime of musical achievement is aptly summed up by her recent rendition of Sondheims classic song, Im Still Here.

The ISO Symphonic band, now in its 10th year under the direction of founder Brian Worsdale, is an accomplished, award-winning wind ensemble. It is comprised of over 40 young musicians from public and independent schools in the metropolitan area. The Symphonic band is a full scholarship ensemble and performs in a variety of venues, including Symphony Space, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Outreach and community concerts take band members to public schools in New York City and various churches throughout Brooklyn. Most concerts are free or offered at very low cost.

The Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS) was created in 1990 to meet the needs of two groups of students: those who want to pursue professional work in the arts and those who want to study the arts as an avocation. It is the special mission of this small, personalized school to develop, refine, and showcase students in dance, drama, and vocal and instrumental music while also providing them with a rigorous, meaningful academic curriculum. Performing arts instruction is delivered by professional dancers, actors and musicians through professional studios.

The residency of Edward Green is made possible through Music Alive, a residency program of the American Symphony Orchestra League and Meet the Composer. This national program is designed to provide orchestras with resources and tools to support their presentation of new music to the public and build support for new music within their institutions. Funding for Music Alive is provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and The Aaron Copland Fund for Music.

The InterSchool Orchestras of New York (ISO) is a youth orchestra program consisting of five orchestras, a symphonic band, a chamber music program and a percussion workshop, for players ages 6-19 of all levels. Students come from public and independent schools in New Yorks five boroughs and beyond. For further information on the Symphonic Band and all ISO programs please call Ellen Brofman at (212) 410-0370 or visit our website: www.isorch.org.

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