The Philadelphia Orchestra hosts FREE College Night Concert on October 6 to celebrate the launch of eZseatU's fourth season, funded through PNC Arts Alive

Nearly 2,000 college students became eZseatU members and attended an Orchestra concert in the 2010-11 season

eZseatU, the Orchestra’s popular web-based ticket membership program for college students, provides free, unlimited access to subscription concerts with an annual $25 membership

(Philadelphia, August 18, 2011)—A FREE Philadelphia Orchestra concert exclusively for college students on October 6 kicks off the fourth season of eZseatU, the Orchestra’s popular web-based college ticket program. In addition to the special Orchestra performance, the night’s festivities include a grand welcome from a marching band and area university mascots, a post-concert party with free food and drinks, a chance to meet the musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra, and live music by a local band. eZseatU is made possible support from PNC Arts Alive, a five-year, $5 million investment from The PNC Foundation that supports visual and performing arts groups with the goal of increasing arts access and engagement.

During the 2010-11 season, nearly 2,000 students became eZseatU members. Thirty five percent of the students who attended the 2010 Free College Concert went on to become members of the program for the season. In total, more than 5,155 student tickets were redeemed at Philadelphia Orchestra concerts during the 2010-11 season as a part of the eZseatU program, representing a 20% increase from the previous season.

For the October 6 FREE College Night concert, Assistant Conductor Cristian Macelaru leads the Fabulous Philadelphians in an program of classical favorites, including Dvořák’s Carnival Overture, Rimsky Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol, Strauss’s Don Juan, and Rossini’s Overture to William Tell. Renowned violinist Leila Josefowicz, who is known for her dynamic repertoire and approachability with audiences, joins the Orchestra as soloist in the virtuosic Toccare from John Adam’s Violin Concerto. A graduate of Philadelphia’s Masterman High School and the Curtis Institute of Music, Ms. Josefowicz makes return appearances with the Orchestra in March 2012 as soloist in Esa-Pekka Salonen’s Violin Concerto and as host of a Family Concert. A general admission ticket is required for entrance to the free College Night concert. All tickets are print-at-home and can be reserved at www.philorch.org/college beginning on August 30. eZseatU memberships will be available for purchase shortly.

About eZseatU

For a $25 annual membership fee, eZseatU provides full-time students access to all subscription performances with no additional charge. This web-based program allows students to reserve general admission tickets up to two weeks in advance. Additional member benefits include special eZseatU club e- mails and a membership card providing discounts at area restaurants. The eZseatU program is made possible with support from PNC Arts Alive.

The eZseatU membership is valid for all subscription concerts. Memberships are valid from October through May. Memberships expire May 2012, and are only valid for Philadelphia Orchestra subscription concert performances at the Kimmel Center. Limit one free ticket per membership per concert. Up to four $8 student add-on tickets may be purchased per concert. Individuals must be full-time students and have a valid student ID to participate. Tickets issued are general admission. Seating location in the house is dependent on availability. eZseatU members must have access to the internet and a printer, as well as a valid credit card to participate.

Other programs for college students

In addition to eZseatU, The Philadelphia Orchestra offers a number of special programs and events for college students. Each Tuesday, $10 student tickets are available for purchase online for the following week’s subscription concerts. Ticket(s) purchased will be held at the Box Office will-call for pick-up on the day of the selected concert. Students must present a valid student ID at the Box Office to pick up tickets. On the day of the concert, students with a valid student ID may purchase a “Student Rush” ticket for $8 before each subscription concert. Tickets may be purchased at the Box Office 90 minutes prior to the concert’s starting time. A valid student ID is required (one ticket per ID).

Throughout the 2011-12 season, The Philadelphia Orchestra will host College Night post-concert events for students. These exciting concerts will include live music, food, and socializing with musicians—exclusively for college students! College Night dates will be announced at a later date.

Visit www.pncartsalive.com for more information about PNC Arts Alive.

The Philadelphia Orchestra

The Philadelphia Orchestra is among the world’s leading orchestras. Renowned for its artistic excellence since its founding in 1900, the Orchestra has excited audiences with thousands of concerts in Philadelphia and around the world.

With only seven music directors throughout more than a century of unswerving orchestral distinction, the artistic heritage of The Philadelphia Orchestra is attributed to extraordinary musicianship under the leadership and innovation of Fritz Scheel (1900-07), Carl Pohlig (1907-12), Leopold Stokowski (1912-41), Eugene Ormandy (1936-80), Riccardo Muti (1980-92), Wolfgang Sawallisch (1993-2003), and Christoph Eschenbach (2003-08). After 30 years of a celebrated association with The Philadelphia Orchestra, Charles Dutoit continues the tradition as chief conductor.

Since Mr. Dutoit’s debut with the Orchestra in July 1980 he has led hundreds of concerts in Philadelphia, at Carnegie Hall, and on tour, as artistic director of the Orchestra’s summer concerts at the Mann Center, artistic director and principal conductor of the Orchestra’s summer residency at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and now as chief conductor. With the 2012-13 season, the Orchestra honors Mr. Dutoit by bestowing upon him the title conductor laureate. Yannick Nézet-Séguin assumed the title of music director designate in June 2010, immediately joining the Orchestra’s leadership team. He takes up the baton as The Philadelphia Orchestra’s next music director in 2012.

The Philadelphia Orchestra annually touches the lives of countless music lovers worldwide, through concerts, presentations, and recordings. Each year the Orchestra presents a subscription season at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, education and community partnership programs, and annual appearances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center; it also regularly tours throughout the world. Its summer schedule includes performances at the Mann Center, free Neighborhood Concerts throughout Greater Philadelphia, and residencies at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. For more information on The Philadelphia Orchestra, please visit www.philorch.org.

FREE COLLEGE NIGHT CONCERT

October 6 at 8:00 PM – Thursday evening — Verizon Hall at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Cristian Macelaru Conductor
Leila Josefowicz Violin

Dvořák                         Carnival, concert overture, Op. 92
Rimsky-Korsakov      Capriccio Espagno
Adams                         Toccare from Violin Concerto
Strauss                       Don Juan, Opus 20
Rossini                       Overture to William Tell

Tickets are free for full-time college students with valid student ID; tickets can be reserved at www.philorch.org/college beginning August 30.