Symphony Under the Stars

The Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra is bringing Symphony Under the Stars to Fox Cities Stadium, Neuroscience Group Field on Saturday, July 20. This is a free, family-friendly event with no charge for parking or admission.

“We look forward to this all year, and we hope the audience does too! This event is free so your entire family can come together, enjoy music, food, and fireworks, and really bring us all together as a community,” says Music Director Kevin Sütterlin.

Sponsorship makes it possible for FVSO to offer this event for free, so there are no barriers to participation for anyone. This year, the concert is presented by Mary Beth Nienhaus, Community First Credit Union, Network Health, WE Energies, the Community Vision Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Fox Cities, and Wisconsin Public Radio. 

“This night is about FUN and celebration,” says Executive Director Jamie LaFreniere.  “From kids to grandparents, absolutely everyone belongs here, and it is designed to bring us all together.”

There will be a mix of classical music, rock, and pop from the FVSO. The audience will hear Sousa and Sibelius, as well as Chicago and the Scorpions. The orchestra is also bringing back their house band, Russ & the Renegades to rock the park. “It is not every day we get to perform Metallica,” says Sütterlin.

Fox Valleyaires Men’s Barbershop Chorus and MacDowell Male Chorus will perform again this year, joining the orchestra since the first summer concert nine years ago.

“We are also happy to bring back the open rehearsal during the day, 3-5 p.m., for a more sensory-friendly experience,” said LaFreniere. “For those with special needs who have a hard time with large crowds and don’t want the noise of fireworks, we love having them join us earlier so they can still get to enjoy a free concert.”

Please contact FVSO at info@foxvalleysymphony.com to make special accommodations for the daytime rehearsal.

The parking lot opens at 5 p.m. (for those eager tailgaters), the gates to the park and concession stands open at 6 p.m., and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m. with fireworks to end the night.

FVSO's Free Family Concert is on track for July 15

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra is ready for their seventh Brats, Beer, and Beethoven event at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.  This free event will be held on Saturday, July 15 at 7:30pm, and is presented by Community First Credit Union and Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region.

“This is our gift back to the community. We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable. It is a free event where your whole family can come and enjoy the concert, grab your favorite Timber Rattlers snacks, let the kids play and run around, and enjoy a huge fireworks display at the end of the night,” said Jamie LaFreniere, Executive Director of the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra.  “Absolutely everyone belongs here, and it is designed to bring us all together.”

The musical selections this year will range from Beethoven and Sousa to Queen, The Moody Blues, and Journey.  Fox Valleyaires Men’s Barbershop Chorus and MacDowell Male Chorus will perform this year, too.

Brats, Beer, and Beethoven is a free event with no charge for parking or admission to the stadium.  The parking lot opens at 5:00pm.  The gates to the stadium open at 6:00pm with the show beginning at 7:30pm.  All seating for the event is based on first-come, first-serve availability.  There will be food and beverages available for purchase from the concessions stands with fireworks scheduled at the end of the night.

“FVSO is also happy to bring back their open rehearsal hours during the daytime hours for a more sensory-friendly experience,” said LaFreniere. “For those with special needs who have a hard time with large crowds and don’t want the noise of fireworks, we love having them join us earlier so they can still get to enjoy a free concert.”

Please contact FVSO at info@foxvalleysymphony.com to make special accommodations for the daytime rehearsal.

FREE Community Concert Coming Up July 1

Beethoven returns to the ballpark on Friday, July 1.  The Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra will hold their second annual Brats, Beer, & Beethoven event at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Friday, July 1 at 7:30pm.  The event, presented by Fox Communities Credit Union, is FREE and open to the public.

“We can’t believe we get to do this again and we can’t thank the Timber Rattlers enough for our partnership! This concert is the perfect way for us to start our 50^th season,” said Jamie Lafreniere, Executive Director of the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra. “We get to celebrate a beautiful night of music with our musicians and the community in this amazing outdoor space. With the support of our sponsors, Fox Communities Credit Union, Neuroscience Group, CommunityFoundation for the Fox Valley Region, and Tundraland, this is a free event and we hope it makes it possible for everyone to attend, enjoy the music, and even see fireworks at the end of the night. We’re also proud to bring the MacDowell Male Chorus and Fox Valleyaires to the concert this year; the more music the better!”

Parking and admission to the event are free.  The parking lot opens at 5:00pm with the gates to the stadium opening at 6:00pm.  The concert is scheduled to start at 7:30pm and fireworks to follow at 9:00pm.

“We’re extremely excited to host the free concert again following the unbelievable success from last year,” said

Aaron Hahn, the Timber Rattlers vice president and assistant general manager.  “It’s a great way to kick off the holiday weekend and an opportunity to see an amazing group of performers for FREE!”

There will also be a donation drive for musical instruments at two events at the ballpark.  Donate a new or used instrument OR money to go towards the purchase of an instrument to give all children the opportunity to play a musical instrument!

Donations will be accepted at the Timber Rattlers game on Sunday, June 26 when the Rattlers host the Quad Cities River Bandits at 1:05pm.  Be one of the first 1,000 fans to attend this game and you will receive a Cory Chisel Bobblehead.

Fans may also donate to the instrument drive at Brats, Beer & Beethoven on Friday, June 1.  Donations may be tax deductible.

This collection is made possible by the collaborative efforts of Fox Communities Credit Union, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Cory Chisel, and The Refuge.

“At Fox Communities Credit Union we say “Make Life Happen”, and we are excited to be a part of this event to help more people enjoy the sounds of the Fox Valley Symphony, especially kids,” said Lynn Marie Hopfensperger, Community Development Officer at Fox Communities Credit Union.  “Fox is happy to be able to make life happen for all of the talented artists we have in the area, we are so rich in the arts, we’re proud to be a small part of this.”

Seating for Brats, Beer, and Beethoven is first-come-first-serve and food and beverages will be available for purchase from the concessions stands at the ballpark.