Following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, St. John’s University will resume its popular Annual Great Lawn Summer Concert series on Thursday, July 28, when it hosts the 22nd concert at the Queens, NY, campus.
The free concert, scheduled to take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Great Lawn, will feature jazz overtones with classical masterpieces performed by the Queens Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Maestro Martin Majkut.
“For over a generation, we have worked with the Queens Symphony Orchestra in bringing some of the finest music to the people of Queens and surrounding communities,” said Joseph Sciame, Vice President for Community Relations, the event sponsor. “The financial support provided by Con Edison and University funds make it possible for us to offer everyone a chance to sit back and enjoy music from around the world.”
“This year’s jazz theme,” Mr. Sciame added, “promises to inspire our guests to keep in step to the sounds of music.”
Founded in 1953 and in its 69th season, the Queens Symphony Orchestra is the borough’s only professional orchestra, and the oldest and largest professional arts organization in Queens.
The two main pieces to be performed are George Gershwin’s An American in Paris and Roberto Molinelli’s Four Pictures from New York. This jazzy homage to New York City will be performed by internationally renowned saxophonist Otis Murphy.
The orchestra will additionally be playing a non-jazz-oriented work, the deeply moving Prayer for Ukraine, by Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov.
Guests are encouraged to enter through Gate #1 on Utopia Parkway. Please bring chairs and blankets and arrive before the 7 p.m. start.
For more information about the summer concert, contact the Office of Community Relations at St. John’s University by calling (718) 990-1941 or e-mail inquiries to lazauskp@stjohns.edu.
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