Looking Ahead to Summer

The newly formed Hudson Festival Orchestra (HFO), under the musical direction of Gwen Gould, will perform its inaugural concert on Saturday, August 1, 2020, at Henry Hudson Riverfront Park in Hudson. “Hudson in Concert: A Community Celebration” will be free and open to the public. A full orchestra, featuring area professional musicians, student musicians, and special guest artists, will perform selections that will appeal to listeners of all ages and interests. The HFO intends to make the concert a yearly event.

The Hudson Festival Orchestra was formed by Gould in June. Gould is well known to local music enthusiasts and brings to the project a deep love of music and decades of experience as a conductor. In 1988, she formed the Columbia Festival Orchestra, which for the next two decades presented concerts throughout Columbia County, Berkshire County, and New York City. She created a mentoring program for student musicians, Take a Seat ... in the Orchestra. Gould also founded The West Village Chorale, Hudson Chamber Opera, Columbia Festival Ragtime Band, and two chamber series, Claverack Landing and Classics on Hudson. For many years, she conducted an annual Messiah Sing at various locations in Columbia County and this year will be leading a holiday community sing in the Public Square in Hudson on Sunday, December 15.

Hudson Mayor Rick Rector said, “The prospect of a great orchestral musical event happening at our historic riverfront park next year is very exciting. Hudson is known for embracing all arts and this musical project being spearheaded by Gwen Gould will certainly be a wonderful new addition for the community.”

To make this festive vision come to life, organizers are seeking contributions. For more information about the orchestra or to make a contribution, go to www.hudsonfestivalorchestra.org. Contributions are tax deductible. The Hudson Festival Orchestra is a sponsored organization of the New York Foundation for the Arts.