Nashville Symphony Successfully Relocates May Concerts

With Schermerhorn Symphony Center damaged by the extensive downtown flooding, the Nashville Symphony has moved swiftly to find alternative venues for multiple May concerts. The first of these is tomorrow (Friday) night's 8 p.m. free outdoor public concert in front of the Metro Courthouse, One Public Square. Consider this a "thank-you" to the entire city for helping friends, neighbors and fellow citizens through the unprecedented events of the last few days. Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero and Resident Conductor Albert-George Schram will lead a program of symphonic favorites, and recording legend Christopher Cross will join the orchestra to perform a selection of his beloved hits. Bring chairs or blankets, and come enjoy an evening of wonderful music with the Nashville Symphony.

Thanks to the generosity of the Nashville Downtown Partnership and Metro Nashville Government, the Symphony will be offering FREE parking for this event at the Metro Courthouse/Public Square Garage. Located directly under the Public Square, these parking spaces will be available on a first come, first served basis from 6-11 p.m. tomorrow night. Originally scheduled for three nights this weekend as part of the Bank of America Pops Series, tomorrow's one-night free concert was made possible through fast action on the part of the Symphony and the city of Nashville, as well as the generosity of Christopher Cross, who is waiving his fee for the show.

"We decided to do this as a way of helping the community find some measure of solace and healing," said Alan D. Valentine, President and CEO of the Nashville Symphony. "This night of great music will help remind everyone that there's hope for our community, and that all of us, together, are going to overcome this."

Meanwhile, the Nashville Symphony is also pleased to announce that most of the remaining concerts for its 2009/10 season have already been rescheduled to take place at alternative venues while the Schermerhorn undergoes repairs. The Symphony's much-anticipated presentation of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (May 15 at 8 p.m.) will take place in TPAC's Andrew Jackson Hall, as will the Nashville Symphony's own performances of Bartók's stunning Bluebeard's Castle (May 20 at 7 p.m., May 21-22 at 8 p.m.), complete with 14-foot Dale Chihuly sculptures onstage. Current ticket holders will be reseated at TPAC by the Symphony's box office staff. Remaining tickets for these events will be on sale in the coming days. Everyone is encouraged to check NashvilleSymphony.org regularly for up-to-the-minute information.