DOWNEY – The Downey Symphonic Society, once again in collaboration with the Downey Arts Coalition, concludes the 2015– 16 Concert Series of the Downey Symphony Orchestra at the Downey Theatre by presenting an evening filled with classical music and and art exhibit with the theme “The Classical Elements – Earth, Water, Air, and Fire.”

Music Director Sharon Lavery describes another delightful evening of music planned to conclude the 58th season of the Downey Symphony Orchestra, “This concert is entitled “A European Exhibition” and we will have two works by one of our favorite composers, Oscar Navarro. There is no better way to start off this great program than to perform Oscar’s piece specifically written for and dedicated to the Downey Symphony Orchestra, “Downey Overture.” 

Also on the program is Navarro’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2, performed by nationally recognized clarinetist, Kelli O’Connor. The masterful “Pictures at an Exhibiition” by Modest Mussorgsky will conclude the program, topping off what promises to be an inspiring evening of music.”

Opening the concert will be Catherine Peterson, winner of the “Baton Auction” fundraiser in April of 2015. The musical selection she will be conducting is “to be announced” at the time of this article’s writing. 

Once again, after intermission at this concert, there will be the 2016 “Baton Auction” held to raise funds to support the Downey Symphony Orchestra and also give the lucky winner the opportunity to lead the stage full of professional musicians in April of 2017.

All of the above activity will take place within the auditorium of the Downey Theatre beginning at 8:00 p.m. However, the doors to the Downey Theatre lobby will open at 6:30 p.m. for the “Opening Night” of an art exhibit entitled “The Classical Elements – Earth, Water, Air, and Fire” curated by Pat Gil and Eloisa Ball, members of the Downey Arts Coalition. The theme was chosen in connection with Earth Day which is on April 22.

In the “Call To Artists” looking for artwork to feature in the exhibit, the parameters were set for the work to be from any medium or mixed media, any size, and self-contained. Of course, the artwork must be within the theme set for the exhibit. 

Guidelines included the suggestions that the artists “embark on a journey exploring the classical elements or the temperaments of people, places or things. Unearth them individually or combine them all to create an explosion of new matter.” 

Pat Gil explained, “I am pleased to have the following wonderful artists returning: Carolina Del Toro, our local abstract nature photographer who is one of the favorites that is always asked about; Lindsay Yost, a local mosaic artist whose wonderful imagination and craftsmanship is always a crowd pleaser, and has the audience coming back for more; Susy Arteaga , another local artist who often sells her works at these exhibits, is gifted with a wonderful use of color and seems to be getting more talented with every exhibit; and Kristine Augustyn who uses wonderful colors that remind people of Monet.”

Eloisa “EJ” Ball added, “I’m very pleased to see artists from different cities wishing to participate in our art exhibitions.  We have an artist, Geoffrey E. Levitt, coming from Lancaster, CA to exhibit his watercolor on paper, Old Point Loma Lighthouse. We are also excited to introduce a 2016 Award Winning Artist from Orange County, Michael Robinson.  Michael works in glass and we are thrilled to exhibit his amazing surfing wave sculptures.

His sixteen years of experience in sculpting glass have brought him to the point of capturing life and movement in his glass pieces.  His “Waves in Motion” sculpture consists of three waves and it is incredible! We are very humbled to see our local artists supporting the Downey Symphony Orchestra concerts and very honored that many new artists from different cities are delighted to be exhibiting in our art exhibitions and supporting our orchestra as well.”

Additionally, Pat Gil noted, “Trista Dominqu is the featured poet and has written a poem specifically for the concert that goes with the art show. The name of the poem is “Born From Water” and it will be read on stage right after Sharon’s pre-concert lecture is over.”

On the day of the concert and art exhibit, Saturday, April 9, the Downey Chamber of Commerce’s Street Faire will be going on until 7 p.m. Brookshire Avenue will be closed from Firestone Boulevard to 5th Street. Theatre performers and patrons should allow extra time to find parking - not necessarily in the immediate vicinity of the Downey Theatre.

To restate the facts: The art exhibit “The Classical Elements – Earth, Water, Air, and Fire” and the Downey Symphony Orchestra concert “A European Exhibition” take place at the Downey Theatre on Saturday, April 9. 

The lobby doors open at 6:30 p.m.. A lecture about the music being performed is given from the stage by Music Director/Conductor Sharon Lavery at 7:15 p.m. The concert begins at 8 p.m. 

Tickets are still available at the Downey Theatre Box Office, 8435 Firestone Blvd., open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and one hour before the concert. You may order tickets by telephone at (562) 861-8211 or online at downeysymphony.org.