The Las Vegas Philharmonic announces their 10th Anniversary Season with an incredible lineup of concert series and special events. Launching its musical presence in Las Vegas mid-1998, the Las Vegas Philharmonic has created an extraordinary impact on the cultural and educational life of Southern Nevada over the last 10 years.


Co-founded by Music Director Harold Weller and longtime Las Vegas arts supporters Susan and Andrew Tompkins, the Philharmonic established artistic credibility with a stunning performance of the complex and demanding Gustav Mahler Second "Resurrection" Symphony in May 1999. This endeavor was the result of the determined efforts of a group of civic leaders who were devoted to classical music and believed that Southern Nevada needed and would support a resident symphony orchestra offering musical performances of consistently high quality. On July 1, 2007, the Philharmonic welcomed new Music Director and Conductor David Itkin.


"The 10th Anniversary Season is something truly special," said Itkin. "The guest artists we're bringing in this year are remarkable. They are the kind of talent you may only have a single opportunity to see you your lifetime. They simply can't be missed. We've also introduced a Pops Concert Series to complement the Masterworks and Connoisseur Series. The Pops series is a great addition and provides a different take on 'traditional' orchestral music. We feel it will reach and attract an entirely new audience as well. We're also continuing very successful programs such as the Youth Concerts and Master Classes. The Las Vegas Philharmonic has so much to offer our community and we're grateful for their continued patronage and support."


Must see concerts this season include jazz trumpeter Byron Stripling's amazing tribute to Louis Armstrong; the ever popular Christmas Celebration concert; a special Pops series performance of Broadway hits by Phantom Las Vegas Spectacular star Brent Barrett; and legendary pianist Misha Dichter performing Edvard Grieg's piano concerto opening night of the Masterworks series on September 6.


Our educational outreach programs are designed to reach out and inspire children to appreciate the great music of the past three centuries, including our Youth Concert series, designed and conducted by Las Vegas Philharmonic Associate Conductor Richard McGee. These concerts are presented at the Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall for Clark County 4th and 5th graders in collaboration with the Clark County School District Partnership Program. For many of the students attending, it is their first encounter with the concert experience and the responses from parents, teachers and students have been overwhelmingly positive. Currently, the Philharmonic performs 10 youth concerts in early January before over 18,000 eager students.


Masterclass programs are another educational opportunity designed to allow advanced students to perform and to be critiqued by eminent artists that the Las Vegas Philharmonic has engaged as guests for its subscription and soirée concerts. For aspiring young artists, these classes have been invaluable in providing a deep insight into the challenges they will encounter as they pursue their careers in a very competitive industry. These activities are cost free for the students participating in them and supported only through patrons of the Las Vegas Philharmonic with their donations.


Currently performing at the University of Nevada Las Vegas' Artemus W. Ham Hall, the Philharmonic will find a new home at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts slated to open in 2011. Ticket information for the Las Vegas Philharmonic is available by contacting the UNLV box office at (702) 895-2787.


CONCERT SCHEDULE:


Masterworks Series


September 6, 2008 - Masterworks I


November 15, 2008 - Masterworks II


February 14, 2009 - Masterworks III


April 4, 2009 - Masterworks IV


May 16, 2098 - Masterworks V


Pops Series


October 11, 2008 - Pops I


December 13, 2008 - Pops II


March 21, 2009 - Pops III


Connoisseur Series


October 1, 2008 - Soirée I


November 5, 2008 - Soirée II


February 4, 2009 - Soirée III


March 25, 2009 - Soirée IV


A special evening just added to our 10th Anniversary Season program


The Las Vegas Philharmonic Celebrates Israel @ 60 with a grand gala and celebration of Israel's60th anniversary. The evening will feature Israeli and other Jewish music including traditional folk, patriotic, liturgical and Klezmer music and performances from four of the city's top cantors on Sunday, October 12, 2008.


About the Las Vegas Philharmonic - Founded in 1998, the Las Vegas Philharmonic is the third largest arts organization in the state and six-time recipient of the Best Performing Arts Group award. The Philharmonic has grown into a nationally recognized orchestra, entertaining growing audiences with a continuously expanding program which currently includes: a Masterworks Series featuring some of the best touring artists in the world; a Connoisseur Series that presents top soloists performing in some of the city's most luxurious homes; a variety of special events; a new Pops Concert Series for 2008-2009; and its annual Fourth of July "Star Spangled Spectacular" concert. The Philharmonic has created an extraordinary impact on the cultural and educational life of Southern Nevada and will find its new home in the $475M Smith Center for the Performing Arts slated to open in 2011.