There's No Place Like Encore 2014

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Maestro Paul Ferington

BATAVIA, NY (11/06/2014)(readMedia)-- Prepare to celebrate The Magic of the Season at GCC's annual holiday gala, Encore 2014. This year's event on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 adds a twist, The Mystery of Oz, thanks to chairpersons Christopher and Gina White of Batavia. The Whites love Christmas, so much so that Gina leaves a tree up at their home year-round that is decorated with ornaments from "The Wizard of Oz."

As one of the area's first holiday events of the season, Encore delights crowds with festive décor, exceptional food, esteemed guests and the entrancing melodies of the prestigious Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, all to benefit scholarships for GCC students.

The evening begins with a gala reception in the William W. Stuart Forum, followed by the renowned Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra performing seasonal favorites under the baton of distinguished conductor Paul Ferington in the Stuart Steiner Theatre. This is Ferington's sixth appearance at Encore. "We are very grateful to the Encore Committee for once again including the BPO in this gala evening," Ferington said. "It's a privilege to be a part of this monumentally important scholarship fundraising event!"

Ferington has been pondering ideas for this year's concert since the end of the concert last year. "I jot down ideas for music and soloists throughout the year and then in September, start to fine-tune all the various factors and elements that go into planning and organizing the program," he said. This year, two soloists will perform, soprano Karen D'Angelo and BPO violinist Loren Silvertrust, "two very special young ladies with incredible talent and stage presence," Ferington said. "In addition, we'll perform music of Respighi in honor of toys, and music of Randol Bass in honor of bells! We'll also have our traditional guest conductor leading Anderson's 'Sleigh Ride.'"

Encore guests enjoy Ferington's enthusiasm and entertaining style. "Performing at GCC is always one of the highlights of our BPO Holiday Season," he said. "The gracious hospitality has been so apparent from our very first visit and the enthusiasm of the guests who attend is so exciting and gratifying!"

Maestro Ferington has been on the conducting staff of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra for nearly 30 years. During this time, he has conducted the BPO in more than 400 concerts. A guest conductor and recital accompanist nationally and internationally, Ferington has received the Beaux Arts Award for Contributions to the Arts from the Niagara Council of the Arts, the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching and the OperaBuffs of Western New York Educator of the Year Award. He is Professor Emeritus for Niagara County Community College and is on the music faculty at Buffalo State College where he serves as conductor/music director for the Buffalo State Philharmonia.

Following the BPO performance, the delightful evening concludes with an exquisite dessert nightcap in the Wolcott J. Humphrey III Student Union.

Proceeds from Encore support the GCC Foundation Scholarship Fund. Five Star Bank has again generously signed on to be the event's Benefactor Sponsor. Sponsorship support is available at the following levels:

• Conductor's Circle - $1,000 entitles donor to six tickets for the event, including a prelude reception with BPO Conductor

• Golden Baton Society - $600 and four tickets

• Inner Circle - $300 and two tickets

• Patron - $100 per ticket

Reservations for Encore: The Magic of the Season are requested by November 24, 2014. Questions can be directed to the GCC Foundation at (585) 345-6809 or via email foundation@genesee.edu.

For more information contact Marketing Communications Associate Director Donna Rae Sutherland at (585) 343-0055 ext. 6616, or email dsutherland@genesee.edu.

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Editor's Note:

A photograph of Maestro Paul Ferington is available here:

http://marketing.genesee.edu/images/PaulFerington.jpg