FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 8, 2009 Contacts: Melissa A.E. Sanders (404) 733-4846, melissa.sanders@woodruffcenter.org Laura D.

Soldati (404) 733-4105, laura.soldati@woodruffcenter.org

ATLANTA SYMPHONY YOUTH ORCHESTRA TO PERFORM BACH TO THE FUTURE SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2008 AT 1:30 P.M. AND 3:30 P.M. ASO Staff Conductor Jere Flint To Lead The ASYO And Guest Artists From Platypus Theatre The ASYO and guest artists from Platypus Theatre will perform Bach to the Future on Sunday, April 19, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. in Atlanta Symphony Hall. ASO Family Concerts are an essential first step in introducing children to the lifelong pleasures of music. With the Youth Orchestras performance of Bach to the Future, families will go on a musical adventure to help Corky find a musical happy ending for her time traveling experiment gone awry. The next Family Concert will be How the Gimquat Found Her Song, May 10, 2009 at Atlanta Symphony Hall. About the Artists Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Staff Conductor Jere Flint leads a triple life in music. He leads the Atlanta Symphony during the Orchestras popular Family Concerts series and Symphony Street concerts for youngsters; and he also regularly conducts on the Classic Chastain pops series at Chastain Park. As Music Director of the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (holder of the Zeist Foundation Chair) he directs weekly ASYO rehearsals and three major concerts a year, as well as other special concerts throughout the season. And when not on the podium, he is a member of the ASOs cello section, where he has performed for more than three decades. While earning his bachelor of music degree at Wittenberg University in Ohio, Mr. Flint was assistant director of the noted choir there. He also arranged and conducted two Christmas recordings by the choir for Columbia Records. He received his Master of Arts degree in music in 1967 from the University of Washington in Seattle, while also serving as manager of the university's opera company and music director for the school of drama. He continued his conducting studies under (more)

Otto-Werner Mueller. Mr. Flint has also conducted at the Brevard Music Center, the Sewanee Summer Music Center, Atlanta-Emory Orchestra and the Southeastern Music Center in Columbus, Georgia.

The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra is an integral member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra family and a vigorous part of the cultural fabric of its community. The ASYO strives for national preeminence among youth orchestras, while cultivating the artistic growth and excellence of our members through enriching orchestral experiences and the mentoring of ASO musicians. Established in 1974, The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra has a history like no other. Born from a symphony orchestra that began as a youth orchestra itself, student education and training has always been paramount. Each year, over three hundred student musicians ages 13-18 audition for the orchestra. Just over one hundred students are selected and dedicate their time to weekly ensemble and sectional rehearsals. The Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra has gained national recognition as one of the best youth orchestras in the country. The only American youth orchestra ever to participate in an Olympic Games, the ASYO was a featured ensemble in the 1996 closing ceremonies. ASYO has also been featured on National Public Radio, WABE, and with the rock group, Collective Soul. The ensemble rehearses and performs in Symphony Hall of the Woodruff Arts Center under the baton of Maestro Jere Flint, conductor since 1979.

Since 1989 Canadas Platypus Theatre has been a trailblazer in creating programs for children that bring classical music to life in an intelligent, entertaining and interactive way. Critics, educators, musicians, parents and children have lauded the companys performances for their creativity, originality and high standards of execution. Platypus seven original programs have been seen by over half a million spectators in Canada, the United States and on six tours to Southeast Asia. After nearly 400 concerts with more than 50 orchestras worldwide Platypus Theatre has gained an unparalleled reputation for excellence in music education. In 2006, in collaboration with TV Ontario, Trace Pictures and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Platypus Theatre created a television adaptation of their ever-popular, How the Gimquat Found Her Song. The film was broadcast five times on TVO and won an Award of Excellence at the 2008 Accolade Television Awards and Best Childrens Program at the prestigious Banff World Television Festival. Platypus Theatre was also the subject of a nationally broadcast documentary made by CTV in 1991 and of a PBS television full-performance broadcast on UNC-TV in North Carolina in 2000. In Addition to Gimquat the companys programs include: Emily Saves the Orchestra, Rhythm in Your Rubbish, Bach to the Future, Song of the Forest, Charlotte and the Music-Maker and A Flicker of Light on a Christmas Night. ***

ASO Kids' Club When concertgoers subscribe to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestras Family Concert series, children will be automatically enrolled in the ASO Kids Club.There are no start-up costs, no fees, or dues.Youngsters will receive an official membership card that entitles them to games, special contests and giveaways, discounts on childrens CDs and musical toys at the Symphony Store, and more. For more information, visit atlantasymphony.org. *** This concert is presented by Delta Air Lines, Publix Super Markets and Publix Super Markets Charities, and GE Energy. *** Single tickets for these performances are $15 to $20. All tickets may be purchased online at atlantasymphony.org or by calling (404) 733-5000. Tickets may also be purchased at the Woodruff Arts Center box office located at Woodruff Arts Center Box Office located at 15th and Peachtree Streets. *** (more)

ASO FAMILY CONCERT BACH TO THE FUTURE Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Jere Flint, conductor Platypus Theatre, guest artists Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra Excerpts from the following: RIDOUT BACH BACH MOZART BEETHOVEN BEETHOVEN DVOK DVOK SHOSTAKOVITCH Fall Fair Suite No. 1 (Movement No. 1) Suite No. 3 (Air and Gigue) Symphony No. 40 (Movements No. 1, 2 and 4) Leonore Overture No. 3 Symphony No. 5 (Movements No. 3 and 4) Slavonic Dance No. 8, op. 46 New World Symphony (Largo) Symphony No. 5(Movement No. 4)

### Additional contact: Caren West, Caren West/PR (404) 614-0006, caren@carenwestpr.com