NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

March 30, 2010

Contact: Bill Martin

Phone: 410-269-1132

bmartin@annapolissymphony.org

www.annapolissymphony.org

ANNAPOLIS SYMPHONY RAISES THE TEMPERATURE

WITH HIGH BLOOD PLEASURE

The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra raises the temperature with its high energy performance of High Blood Pleasure on May 7 and 8 at 8:00 pm at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis. Featuring prize-winning pianist Jeffrey Chappell playing Shostakovich’s riveting Second Piano Concerto, Music Director José-Luis Novo also leads the orchestra in Beethoven’s ecstatic Symphony No. 7 and Darius Milhaud’s Le Boeuf sur le Toit (“The Ox on the Roof”).

Before the concert, guests are invited to attend the ASO’s educational Bank of America Pre-Concert Lecture Series led by the entertaining pianist and musicologist Dr. Rachel Franklin. This begins at 6:45pm.

While ASO concerts get patrons’ hearts racing, high blood pressure is a serious condition facing 30% of Americans - and one-third of those don’t realize they have it. A first step in prevention is to recognize the signs and to have regular screenings. The ASO is delighted to partner with the Anne Arundel Medical Center to provide complimentary blood pressure screenings before both concerts.

Tickets are available from $34 with $10 seats available for students ages 8-25. For further information and to order tickets, call the ASO Box Office at 410-263-0907 or visit and order online at www.annapolissymphony.org.

Guest Artist, Jeffrey Chappell, has performed throughout the United States and abroad in recitals and in chamber music. He has been a soloist with the symphony orchestras of Philadelphia, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Houston, Denver, Indianapolis, Oakland, and Key West as well as the Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque. His frequent appearances with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra include concerts at Carnegie Hall and Wolf Trap Park, as well as a substitution for Claudio Arrau on four hours' notice, playing the Brahms Second Concerto without rehearsal and to critical acclaim. Mr. Chappell is a faculty member of Goucher College in Baltimore and the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C.

The ASO is glad to support state employees with its participation in Arts Step Up In Support of State Employees. All Maryland state employees are offered a “Buy One, Get One Free” ticket offer valid throughout the 2009-2010 season. “In the midst of a national recession, it can be easy to overlook the positive impact that the arts can have on our lives particularly in difficult times,” said Governor O’Malley speaking of the program.

ASO’s Music Director, José-Luis Novo, continues to instill a new artistic vision and leave his personal imprint. A continuous drive for artistic excellence, innovative thematic programming, and collaborations with some of today’s most respected guest artists, have resulted in unprecedented artistic growth, enthusiastic reviews and rising excitement. Some highlights during Maestro Novo’s tenure have included a 2006 debut concert appearance at Strathmore Hall, a 2008 ASCAP Adventurous Programming Award, and the first professionally produced CD commemorating the 300^th anniversary of the signing of Annapolis’ Royal Charter. The successful partnership between Mr. Novo and the ASO has received consistent critical acclaim: “This entire evening was a series of glorious musical experiences that demonstrated the level of musical sophistication the ASO has attained.” The Capital.

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Photo of pianist Jeffrey Chappell will follow in a separate email.

Photos of José-Luis Novo and the ASO are available upon request.