The University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and the legendary Boston Pops joined hands to stage a concert at Rupp Arena in celebration of 75 years of racing at Keeneland.
The concert, “Post Time with the Pops,” raised funds for an endowment that takes music into schools and communities across the Commonwealth.
In 2009, Maker’s Mark and Keeneland pledged a three-year commitment to establish an endowment and support a unique extension program highlighting music outreach in schools throughout Kentucky.
The outreach program brings music to Kentucky’s schools through chamber and orchestra concerts, as well as provide complimentary tickets to kids for UK Symphony Orchestra concerts at the university.
“We had dozens of requests from all over the state to come and do concerts, and those requests continue to come in. When we announced an educational concert at Singletary Center for 1,500 students, it was full within several hours.” – John Nardolillo, director UK Symphony Orchestra
Events like the upcoming Boston Pops concert and sales from three Maker’s Mark collectible bottles have been vital to the music outreach program’s ability in serving the state. While visits by chamber groups comprised of four to six musicians are fairly easy to schedule, the larger orchestra visits to schools and their surrounding communities are quite a production. The cost of transportation, meals and at times overnight accommodations for more than 80 orchestra members range from $ 1,500 to $ 7,500 a trip.
While it can be quite expensive to stage orchestra concerts around the state, missed opportunities for Kentucky’s youth and citizens to experience a concert can be just as costly. For many, these outreach concerts may be the only time people in rural communities will ever get to see an orchestra perform.
The upcoming Keeneland tribute, “Post Time with the Pops,” is an opportunity for orchestra patrons to support this important music outreach endowment while taking in a concert with the legendary Boston Pops.
The Boston Pops Orchestra was founded in 1885 as a subsection of the Boston Symphony Orchestra .
