2009 TD Banknorth Summer Festival Tour

I call it the "most wonderful time of the year," those two weeks that envelop the Fourth of July each summer. Usually you won't read too much personal commentary from me, though I am the keeper of this blog, but the VSO's Summer Festival Tour (SFT) holds a very special place in my heart. It's my baby. This will be my seventh year on the tour, sixth as Technical Director. My affiliation with the VSO began with SFT. That first year, I was Volunteer Coordinator. The next year (and the three after that), I took on the dual roles of Volunteer Cordinator and Technical Director. Now, through the power of seniority and the mercy of the powers that be, I am simply the Technical Director (simply?).

What's not to love? This tour swirls together like some heavenly flavor of Ben and Jerry's the three things I love most: (1) music, (2) the beauty of Vermont (when is the last time you toured the entire state at its most verdant over 11 days), and (3) food. Yes, food. Anyone who knows me is chuckling right now. Whether you are the orchestra/crew meal coordinator, a caterer showing up on site, or the venue coordinator, you can be sure of me quizzing you on the evening's menu. Sometimes, I even troll the crowd of picnickers, drooling at their elaborate spreads. These three aspects of SFT are yours, too. We bring the music, Vermont brings her beauty in nine picturesque locations, and you bring the food!! Hey, we'll even throw in a pretty nifty light show. Every concert concludes with a spectacular fireworks display accompanied by Tchaikovsky's 1812 Oveture -- a piece I now know every note of!

Tickets just went on sale at the Flynn Regional Box Office. Don't fret if you are wanting to purchase tickets for the Upper Valley concert at the Quechee Polo Grounds and can't as we are firming up our rain site details before we start selling. Oh, and all concerts start at 7:30 p.m.

"The Lake Effect" (A celebration of Lake Champlain's Quadricentennial)
Anthony Princiotti, conductor

BERLIOZ
Roman Carnival Overture
HANDEL
Water Music Suite
IVANOVICI
Waves of the Danube March
GERSHWIN
An American in Paris
GLIÈRE
Russian Sailors' Dance
SCHONBERG, arr. LOWDEN
Selections from Les Misérables
RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN, arr. BENNETT
Symphonic Scenario from South Pacific
TCHAIKOVSKY
1812 Overture
SOUSA
Hands Across the Sea March

All concerts at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 25
Middlebury College
Middlebury
Gates at 5:30 p.m.

Friday, June 26
Jackson Gore at Okemo Mountain Resort
Ludlow
Gates at 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 27
Three Stallion Inn
Randolph
Gates at 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 28
Mountain Top Inn
Chittenden
Gates at 5:00 p.m.

Monday, June 29
Quechee Polo Grounds
Quechee (Upper Valley)
Gates at 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 2
Hildene Meadowlands
Manchester
Gates at 5:00 p.m.

Friday, July 3
Grafton Ponds
Grafton
Gates at 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 4
Shelburne Farms
Shelburne
Gates at 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 5
Trapp Family Lodge Concert Meadow
Stowe
Gates at 5:30 p.m.