The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra is presenting its annual Symphony Under the Sky festival, September 4-7 at the city’s Hawrelak Park.  The festival comprises five outdoor concerts over the course of four days, and features the ESO with conductor Robert Bernhardt.  Programs range from established orchestral classics through opera and movie highlights, the world premiere of a new work by young composer Jia Jia Yong of the ESO’s Young Composer Mentorship Project and the music of Frank Sinatra.  The festival also includes a family BBQ (with ESO musicians serving as chefs for the occasion), and a Teddy Bear picnic (with instrument petting zoo).  Featured performers include ESO music director Bill Eddins (as piano soloist), soprano Kathleen Brett, Lisa and Linda, vocalist Steve Lippia, trumpeter Jens Lindemann, and the guns of the Royal Canadian Artillery. 
 
Once again this year, the ESO is doing its part to reduce the carbon footprint of the event.  They have partnered with Edmonton Transit to provide free transportation from the University of Alberta to the park; supervised bike racks will be provided at the concert site; Bullfrog Power (an all-green energy provider) is providing the electricity needed for the event; and the program will be printed on 100% recycled paper.
 
For more information about Symphony Under the Sky, please visit their website here.