By Forum Staff

The Queens Symphony Orchestra on Sunday presented “A Tribute to David Katz,” a free concert at Samuel J. and Ethel LeFrak Concert Hall in Flushing to honor the memory of David Katz, the founder of Queens Symphony Orchestra and father of Queens Borough President Melinda Katz.

The event, which was produced in association with the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College, was planned by long time Queens Symphony board member Elsie Levy and directed by guest Maestro Elli Jaffe, the music director of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and the honorary foreign conductor of the Prague Symphony Orchestra.

The show featured the world premiere of “… and it was evening and it was morning…” Opus 132, composed by two-time Pulitzer-nominated composer Avrohom Leichtling.

Additionally, the program included the electric Mozart Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola performed by Alexander Mishnaevski and Mark Peskanov; and Avi Albrecht, a former local celebrity baritone, who sang arias by Mozart, Rossini and Verdi, including selections from the opera “Rigoletto.” In addition to doing solo concerts all over the world, Albrecht has appeared with major symphony orchestras such as the Prague Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, Jerusalem Symphony and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra.

Borough President Katz sang “On My Own” from “Les Misérables” and “If I Were a Bell” from the Broadway musical “Guys and Dolls.” She spoke about how she strives to carry on the positive legacies of both her father and her mother, Queens Council on the Arts founder Jeanne Dale Katz.

“My parents were such unwavering believers in the potential of this great borough we get to call home. Perhaps it’s because they both lived and breathed the international language: music and the arts,” Katz said. “They were both able to see that even with all of our borough’s trademark diversity, we still have that much more in common than we do different. Even back then, they too saw the evolving landscape of Queens and the foresight to see any challenges as opportunities. My father firmly believed that one should not have to cross a bridge or a tunnel to access a world class orchestra, the finest concerts and classical education. Thank you to the Queens Symphony Orchestra and Board member Elsie Levy for spearheading the effort to honor my father’s dream and legacy.”

 Woodhaven/Richmond Hill:

Tuesday, February 23, 2016 – 7pm

All Saints Episcopal Church

85-45 96th Street, Woodhaven, NY 11421

Theme: Sacred Music

Howard Beach:        

Thursday, March 10, 2016 – 7pm

St. Helen’s Fr. Dooley Hall

83-09 157th Avenue, Howard Beach, NY 11414

Theme: Sinatra Style

Rockaway:

Monday, April 4, 2016 – 7pm

West End Temple

147-02 Newport Avenue, Neponsit, NY 11694

Theme: Jazz Ensemble

Broad Channel:

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 – 7pm

American Legion Post 1404

209 Crossbay Blvd, Broad Channel, NY 11693

Theme: Military Tribute: Honoring Veterans

Hamilton Beach:

Wednesday, June 22, 2016 – 7pm

West Hamilton Beach Fire Department

102-33 Davenport Ct, Hamilton Beach, NY 11414

Theme: Broadway Showtunes

Music for the night: Tribute to the City.  

Music for the night: Night at the Movies.

Music for the night: Military/Patriotric.

The City Council Speaker and several members last Thursday evening gathered at City Hall to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe, or VE Day.

As part of the ceremony, Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) presented respective Council proclamations to Vietnam veteran and former U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer Mike Honan of Rockaway Park, and former U.S. Marine, veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, and current National Guard First Lt. Robinson Arana of Lindenwood.

The event also featured a performance of select patriotic pieces by musicians from the Queens Symphony Orchestra. Project Renewal—an area organization that trains veterans and recently discharged service members for career opportunities in the city’s hospitality industry—catered the celebration. Ulrich, along with Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Councilman Mark Treyger (D-Brooklyn), was joined by roughly 200 veterans and their families from throughout the five boroughs.

“Tonight’s event honors the courageous brave men and women of the Allied forces who liberated a continent and defeated a pure evil 70 years ago,” said Ulrich, chairman of the Committee on Veterans. “We also recognize the service of soldiers since from eras including the Vietnam War to conflicts of the current day for their invaluable sacrifices.”

By Forum Staff

Music for the night: Vivaldi.

Music for the night: Operatic Classics.

The Queens Symphony Orchestra on Saturday evening entertained Ozone Park and surrounding communities with a free concert at PS 316 on 101st Avenue.
Last weekend’s event, titled “Night at the Cinema,” was the fourth of nine free borough shows in the QSO concert series, which is funded through the office of City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park). Photo Courtesy of Councilman Ulrich’s Office.