Eighth Annual Music by the Lake Series Announced

WILLIAMS BAY, Wis., March 12, 2008 — George Williams College of Aurora University announces its eighth annual Music by the Lake summer series in a new performance venue — The Ferro Pavilion. For the first time, the summer season of eight performances includes the Main Stage Series, with four Saturday evening performances; the Sundays at 4 Series, featuring classical chamber music performances; and the season finale Spotlight Concert.

This year’s Main Stage Series features:

• Maureen McGovern and the Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra performing a program of Henry Mancini’s best loved tunes and signature selections with her jazz trio on Saturday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m.

• The Kingston Trio and The Brothers Four will perform a celebration of American folk music classics on Saturday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. The Artist Underwriter for this performance is The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation.

• “Die Fledermaus,” an operetta with music by Johann Strauss, featuring marvelous melodies, wonderful characters and unforgettable waltzes, will be presented on Saturday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m. This performance will feature our Young Artists and will be sung in English with the Music by the Lake Festival Orchestra and Chorus. The Opera Underwriter is The Bell Family Foundation.

• Gordon Goodwin and the Big Phat Band with Patti Austin will be presented on Saturday, Aug. 9 at 7:30 p.m. This 18-piece jazz ensemble combines big band tradition with a contemporary sound and is one of the hottest jazz bands today. Patti Austin, the 2008 Grammy Award winning artist for Jazz Vocal Album of the Year, will join them.

This year’s Sundays at 4 Series features:

• Prometheus Trio, acclaimed string ensemble in residence at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, will perform on Sunday, July 20 at 4 p.m. The Prometheus Trio will perform an array of chamber music that spans many centuries and styles.

• “Die Fledermaus,” an operetta with music by Johann Strauss, featuring marvelous melodies, wonderful characters and unforgettable waltzes will be presented on Sunday, July 27 at 4 p.m. This performance will feature our Young Artists and will be sung in English with the Music by the Lake Festival Orchestra and Chorus. The Opera Underwriter is The Bell Family Foundation.

• Chicago Brass Quintet, performing music of all periods and styles with a dose of good humor, on Sunday, Aug. 3 at 4 p.m. The Quintet is equally at home with the music of The Beatles, Richard Rodgers and Andrew Lloyd Webber as they are with Vivaldi, Bach and de Falla.

This year’s Spotlight Concert features:

• Kenny Loggins, two-time Grammy Award winning superstar, in the season finale on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Performances are held in The Ferro Pavilion at George Williams College of Aurora University, located on the shores of Geneva Lake in Williams Bay, Wis.

Season tickets will go on sale April 15 and individual ticket sales open May 1. Season ticket packages range in price from $380 to $40 and individual ticket prices range from $75 to $12. Tickets for the Spotlight Concert range in price from $125 to $15. Seating is available in the Dress Circle, Orchestra, Rear Orchestra, Terrace and Lawn areas for each performance.

For tickets, call 866-843-5200 toll free or 262-245-8501 or e-mail mbtl@aurora.edu. Secure online ordering will be available after April 15. Visit the Web site at www.aurora.edu/mbtl for more information.

The 2008 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 The Abbey Resort, Aurora Health Care, Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, Larson Sheet Metal, Inc., and Scherrer Construction, Inc.; and silver sponsors are Balestrieri Environmental and Development, Inc., First Banking Center, M&I Wealth Management, Johnson Bank, Sodexho Campus Services and Walworth State Bank.

Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. 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 offers 12 academic programs, unique conference facilities, and is home to Music by the Lake and other education and enrichment programs.

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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