Tickets to go on sale for seventh annual Music by the Lake series

WILLIAMS BAY, Wis., March 15, 2007—Season tickets will go on sale March 15 for the 2007 Music by the Lake summer series at George Williams College of Aurora University in Williams Bay, Wis.

This year’s series features:

• Five By Design with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra (WCO) will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 7. Heralded by The Washington Postin their Kennedy Center debut as “one of the best pops programs of the season,”Five By Design embraces American popular song with a vocal style that captivates. The Minnesota-based quintet joins the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra in a “blue ribbon,” all-American presentation of some of our nation’s most stirring Independence Day favorites. In residence at Madison’s Overture Center, the nationally recognized WCO led by Andrew Sewell will team up with Five By Design in a musical journey to the early days of television.  “Stay Tuned” will take you back to the main stay programs of American culture from 1950 to 1966.  The program will be crowned by a fireworks display over Williams Bay as the strains of “The 1812 Overture” close out the evening. The artist underwriter for this performance is The Michael and Jacky Ferro Family Foundation.

• The Blind Boys of Alabama will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 14. The Blind Boys of Alabama have spread the spirit of pure soul gospel music for over 60 years since the group first formed in 1939. After toiling 40 years on the gospel circuit, the group eventually earned two Grammy Awards for their innovative recordings. In 2002 they were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame with a Dove Award for Higher Ground, the Best Traditional Gospel Album of the year. With the sound of soul gospel still at its core, The Blind Boys have recently forayed into pop music by featuring loops, raps and roaring blues riffs into their inimitable style, winning new fans throughout the world. This phenomenon in soul-stirring gospel music is not to be missed! The artist underwriter for this performance is The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation.

• The New Moon, an operetta by Sigmund Romberg with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 21, and at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 22. Containing five hit tunes including “Lover, Come Back To Me” and “Stout Hearted Men,” The New Moon opened on Broadway in 1928 and ran for 519 performances. Immortalized on film twice by MGM, the 1940s version showcased the talents of Nelson Eddy and Jeanette McDonald in one of  Romberg’s most tuneful scores. Set in New Orleans in 1728, The New Moon brings together a dashing, French aristocrat in disguise with the high-minded daughter of a New Orleans ship builder in an emotionally charged story of love and honor. Spectacular choral singing, lush orchestrations, and an amusing plot provide an unforgettable evening of some of Sigmund Romberg’s most “singable” music. The artist underwriter for this performance is   The Bell Family Foundation.

• The 5th Dimension will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4. Go “Up, Up and Away” with the 5th Dimension at our final concert of the summer. Bursting onto Billboard’s Top 20 list in 1967 with “Go Where You Wanna Go,” the group followed it with a string of hits including “Stoned Soul Picnic,” “The Age Of Aquarius,” “Let The Sunshine In,” and “Wedding Bell Blues,” to name just a few.  With guest appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show, and the television specials of Frank Sinatra, Woody Allen and Burt Bacharach, the group was the toast of L.A. for more than two decades. Hits in the 70’s included “Puppet Man” by Neil Sedaka, “Never My Love” and “One Less Bell To Answer” by Burt Bacharach. Headed by Florence LaRue, the 5th Dimension has been called by Ed Sullivan “One of the classiest groups we’ve ever had on the show. Their class is with a Capital C.”  Music by the Lake proudly welcomes the 5th Dimension for the grand finale of the 2007 season. The artist underwriter for this performance is The J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation.

Performances are held in the Allyn Pavilion for the Performing Arts at George Williams College of Aurora University, located on the shores of Geneva Lake.

Season tickets will go on sale March 15 and individual ticket sales open May 1.

Season ticket packages are $276 (Dress Circle), $256 (Reserved Pavilion), $212 (Pavilion), $108 (Terrace), and $37 (Lawn). Individual tickets are $69 (Dress Circle), $64 (Reserved Pavilion), $53 (Pavilion), $27 (Terrace), and $11 (Lawn).

The 2007 Music by the Lake concert series is generously supported by presenting sponsor Keefe Real Estate; platinum sponsors AT&T, FairWyn Investment & Development, and Gage Marine and Lake Geneva Cruise Line; gold sponsors are The Abbey Resort, Boldt Construction, Gilbert’s Fine Dining, Scherrer Construction, Inc., Aurora Health Care, and Grand Geneva Resort and Spa.; and silver sponsors are Balestrieri Environmental and Development, Inc., M&I Wealth Management, locally-owned Mid-America Bank, First Banking Center, and WLKG 96.1 The Lake.

Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. The university is comprised of two campuses: a 30-acre campus in Aurora, Ill., with academic, administrative, and residential buildings; and the 241-acre George Williams College on Geneva Lake in Williams Bay, Wis. Approximately 4,000 degree-seeking students are enrolled each year on the university’s Illinois and Wisconsin campuses, and the university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association to award degrees at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. The George Williams College campus of Aurora University in Williams Bay, Wis., offers 12 academic programs, unique conference facilities, and is home to Music by the Lake and other education and enrichment programs.

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Note: Media may download print-quality photos by going to the Music by the Lake press room at www.aurora.edu/mbtl/press.

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