Date:  November 2, 2009

MIDDLETOWN, OHIO-----This year the Middletown Symphony Orchestra celebrates it 35th anniversary of the Guest Conductor ‘Pops” Concert.  will once again be in the swing of things. As in the past, the event will be held at Miami University Middletown Finkelman Auditorium on Saturday, November 14 starting at 8:00 pm.
Julie Budd, considered to be one of the most exciting singers on the scene today, will be the Guest Solo artist at this year’s Guest Conductor Auction Pops concert. She has enjoyed a multi-faceted musical career and credits range from television to film and the New York stage, from symphonies to the most lavish casinos and showrooms in the country.

The New York Times rave with a full two-page glowing retrospective of Julie’s career, declaring Ms. Budd “The Consummate Performer.” As Julie states, “I have sung for presidents, I have sung for the troops, I have sung in some of the finest halls and opera houses in this country. Yet, I remember being a little girl in Brooklyn, singing from stoop to stoop, dreaming of these days. It is so unbelievable to me, and is so wonderful to be lucky enough to live your dream.”

Julie supports the VARIETY CHILDREN’S CHARITY and appears each season as one of the hosts of its telethon. She also supports the MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION and has also contributed generously to various other charities and telethons.

The second half of evening will be time for Dale Gerber, MC for the evening to introduce this year’s Guest Conductor candidates:  Dick Casey, Helen Stevens-Gleason and Betty Lou Nein who have had multiple fund raising events since this summer to raise funds for the Middletown Symphony Orchestra. As in the past, each candidate will ‘conduct’ with the orchestra, a song of their choosing and then Dale will announce the top fundraiser will raise his/her ‘Baton’ and conduct “The Stars and Stripes.”

The Middletown Symphony Orchestra has a rich history in our community having been established 87 years ago in 1921. The Guest Conductor Pop’s fund raising concert was established in 1974 and continues today. It was created to provide much needed support as the cost to maintain our symphony increased. Over the years, more than 110 business and community people have pickup the ‘Baton’ to be part of this event to raise funds and keep the MSO alive for the cultural enrichment of Middletown and our surrounding communities. 

For additional information or to purchase tickets for the November 14 event, contact Midge @513-423-6779.  Cost is $25, students $20. Public is encouraged to attend.