Hyde Park, NY 鈥 Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra will perform a special concert that will incorporate a naturalization ceremony and a Grammy-nominated composition about Ellis Island on Saturday, March 21 at 3 p.m. The concert will take place at the Marriott Pavilion on the campus of The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.
The first half of the program will be the naturalization program and will see approximately 20 people become Americans. During the ceremony, the orchestra will perform patriotic works and a piece by immigrant composer Erich Korngold. The second half of the program features 鈥淓llis Island: Dream of America鈥 by Peter Boyer. The piece was nominated for a Grammy for best classical contemporary composition. It celebrates the historic American immigrant experience with projected images and spoken word from the Ellis Island Oral History Project and has become one of the most performed American orchestral works of the last decade. Local students from Arlington High School will portray the immigrants and give dramatic performances.
鈥淚mmigration is the backbone of our nation鈥檚 history and certainly a compelling topic in our national discourse,鈥 says Artistic Director Kathleen Beckmann. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to present this piece which explores immigration through the lives of seven immigrants. As a former teacher, I am thrilled to have students on stage with the orchestra narrating the stories of people coming to this country to escape persecution and to find a better life. We are all grateful for the opportunity to include a naturalization ceremony and expect this to be a truly memorable afternoon for all who attend.鈥
To complement this program, the CIA will open for a special $39 post-performance dining experience. The menu will include family-style green salad and antipasti, a selection of five gourmet pastas served tableside, and a dessert. Reservations for this dinner are available from 5鈥5:45 p.m. The price does not include beverages, service, and tax. To book your table, call 845-905-4533 or e-mail ciarestaurantgroup@culinary.edu. This special dining event will sell out, so make reservations early.
Tickets for the program are $28 for adults, $23 for seniors, and $5 for students. Tickets include both the naturalization ceremony and the Ellis Island program. Attendees can attend the second half only, which will begin after intermission, at approximately 4 p.m. NDSO also offers a reserved seating package which includes choice of show seating and guaranteed seating at Ristorante Caterina de鈥 Medici for $45 per person (does not include dinner price). To buy tickets and get more information about the concert, visit or call 845-635-0877.
Photo Caption and Hi-Res Image:
Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra will be performing the Grammy-nominated 鈥淓llis Island: Dream of America鈥 immediately following a naturalization ceremony at The Culinary Institute of America鈥檚 New York campus on March 21, 2020. (Photo illustration courtesy: NDSO)
Media Contact:
Erin Pietrak
518-291-7140
erinpietrak@gmail.com
About Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra
Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra was formed in 2006 to bring live orchestral music to northern Dutchess County and the surrounding Hudson Valley area. Now in its fourteenth season, the orchestra offers the best possible live performances of classical music at family-affordable prices. Since the beginning, the orchestra has been conducted by Kathleen Beckmann, who also serves as artistic director.
About The Culinary Institute of America:
Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is the world鈥檚 premier culinary college. Dedicated to developing leaders in foodservice and hospitality, the independent, not-for-profit CIA offers master鈥檚, bachelor鈥檚, and associate degrees with majors in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, food business management, hospitality management, culinary science, and applied food studies. The college also offers executive education, certificate programs, and courses for professionals and enthusiasts. Its conferences, leadership initiatives, and consulting services have made the CIA the think tank of the food industry and its worldwide network of more than 50,000 alumni includes innovators in every area of the food world. The CIA has locations in New York, California, Texas, and Singapore.
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