ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.— The Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts presents a performance by the Longy School of Music of Bard College Sistema Side by Side Orchestra, conducted by Jorge Soto, on Saturday, September 20, at 3 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public and no reservations are necessary. Additional program information can be found at fishercenter.bard.edu or by calling the box office at 845-758-7900.

The Sistema Side by Side Orchestra travels from Boston to honor Maestro José Antonio Abreu, founder of El Sistema, the unique program from Venezuela that brings about social change through music and has improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of children worldwide. In Longy’s Sistema Side by Side program in Cambridge, Massachusetts, conservatory students mentor students from El Sistema–inspired programs across the state. Through joint rehearsals and performances, these young musicians deepen their musical skills, make new friends, and learn that hard work and dedication can open doors to new opportunities. Maestro Abreu will be in attendance to receive an honorary degree from Bard College.

The program will include: Finlandia by Jean Sibelius (1865–1957); Farandole from L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2 (1879) by Georges Bizet (1838–1875); Finale from Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64 (1888) by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893); Hungarian Dance No. 5 by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897); and Gipsy Overture by Merle J. Isaac (1898–1996).

Additional program information can be found at fishercenter.bard.edu or by calling the box office at 845-758-7900.