CONCORDIA CHAMBER PLAYERS EARNS NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION STATUS

Valerie Siciliano, President of the Concordia Chamber Players of New Hope announced today that the Concordia Chamber Players has received tax exemption status from the Internal Revenue Service and is now recognized as a 501 c (3) organization. "This designation marks a milestone in the development of Concordia," noted Siciliano. "For the past three years we have relied upon the assistance of New Hope Partners in Progress and we have made great strides in expanding the Concordia Chamber Players' music and educational programs in the New Hope/Lambertville area."

Michelle Djokic, New Hope native and Julliard School graduate who debuted with the Philadelphia Orchestra when she was thirteen years old, is the Artistic Director of the Concordia Chamber Players. "All of us at Concordia are so grateful to New Hope Partners in Progress for all of the cooperation and assistance that they have given us over the past three years," said Djokic.

The Concordia Chamber Players group performs three concerts each season in the Stephen Buck Theater at the New Hope-Solebury High School. The orchestra includes world class musicians from such prestigious organizations as the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Lincoln Center and the Minnesota Orchestra. Djokic explained that "informances" which are informal, informational, music sessions that are conducted in area elementary schools during the weeks preceding each concert are an essential component of Concordia's mission. "We have brought a new sense of classical music to elementary schools in our communities through our informances," Djokic noted. "Over the past six years more than 1,500 children in Bucks, Hunterdon and Mercer counties have participated in our sessions in their classrooms. Children are admitted free to subsequent concerts when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. And thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and contributors, we can present the informances to students without any cost to the schools," she said.

Concordia will perform its first concert of the season featuring works by Bach, Brahms and Francaix on November 10, 2002 at 3 PM in the Stephen Buck Theater at the New Hope-Solebury High School. Tickets and information about sponsor contributions may be obtained by calling 215-297-5972 or on-line at www.concordiaplayers.org.