Symphonic Scenes: Sibelius, Pictures & Pink! La Porte County Symphony Orchestra present an afternoon of Symphonic Color and Hope Date:  March 7, 2010 Time:  3:00 p.m. Location: Elston Theatre                  317 Detroit St.                  Michigan City, IN 46360 $18  Adult $15  Senior (65+) Free Student/Children Purchase tickets 219-362-9020, or www.LCSO.net This concert is a simple as one, two, three! There are three distinctive sections to the afternoon's performance: great music; a tribute to our sponsor, the La Porte Hospital Regional Health System Center for Cancer Therapy; and a blending of great music and incredible visual art. All of that, plus an added bonus of hope from the family of musicians who make the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra will combine talents to create an exciting afternoon. The Concert will begin with Sibelius' "Violin Concerto," performed by Valparaiso University Professor Greg Maytan. The presentation of this trilling piece is sponsored Jack and Mary Utley. The Utleys were truly instrumental in founding the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra. In the early years, Jack was both  a musician and the first librarian, caretaker of the music for the symphony.  Mary, a gifted writer, researched and wrote program notes for informational guides at the concerts. With the rich history of the concerts that Mary collected, she has published two books. The second book will be available for sale at this concert, with the proceeds to benefit the orchestra.  Recently the Utleys made a generous donation to the orchestra for this season and for long-term growth in future seasons. Their gift was given through the endowment fund held at the Unity Foundation of La Porte County. Mary and Jack are a shining example of community leaders who care about the future generations who will be touched by the music of this orchestra.  The second selection in the concert is all "in the Pink."  An original song, written and sung by Nikia Hammonds-Blakely will be premiered. Sponsored by a Susan G. Komen grant, this song is a tribute to breast cancer survivors everywhere. It highlights four breast cancer stories, written by the survivors.  Come to see and celebrate the rest of the journeys of these courageous women, all of whom are members of the LCSO family.  Here are excerpts from these stories: Mary Johnson's Story (pictured here) "When I first heard the words "It's cancer" I felt as if  I had been transported  into a Salvador  Dali painting.  It was such a surreal experience. . . . Then I wondered if  I would have the energy to continue playing in the summer bands and the symphony. I called Rose Marie Dure, Minister of Music at The First United Methodist Church in La Porte, and who had gone though breast cancer treatment the previous year.  She said "Keep doing your music."  That was all I had to hear.  It was definitely one of my saving graces."     Deb DePoy's Journey "Each of us faces our own trials in life.  But CANCER sent my mind SPINNING!  One moment in time, one life touches another, friends come forth with support and music goes on. . . ."   Cindy Schnabel's Words "When I was diagnosed with cancer in the fall of 2007, my doctor said that I was starting a long journey. It didn't make sense to me at the time because he also said he had removed all my cancer during surgery. But, he was definitely right! Through my experience, I found that cancer is never really gone from my body or my mind. I think about it everyday and wonder if or when it will rear its ugly head again. . . ." Mary Steck's Insight ". . .Instead of sitting home, feeling scared and overwhelmed, my husband Chuck and I spent the entire weekend surrounded by orchestral and choral musicians lifting their praises and prayers to the Lord.  It was pretty incredible." The entire second half of the concert is a Russian symphony, "Pictures of an Exhibition" by Modest Mussorgorsky.  Most orchestras play this symphony and allow the audience to imagine the art work that it was written to portray.  This presentation by the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra will combine the pieces of artwork that inspired the composer and intertwine them with contemporary art from a variety of sources, projecting the artworks during the performance.  Local art gallery Thaddeus C Gallery and the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, along with individual area artist such as Laurel Izard and Connie Kassal, have submitted their work. It will be a visual artistic display to a live symphonic performance brought to you by a group of passionate musicians and talented artists who would be delighted to have you to experience it with them.