The Skalny Center for Polish and Central European Studies and the Department of Music of the University of Rochester, and the Polish Heritage Society of Rochester will co-sponsor the 11th annual Polish Youth Concert and the 3rd annual Polish Art Exhibition on Sunday, May 2. The concert will be held in the lower level of Strong Auditorium and the exhibition in the main lobby of Strong Auditorium on the University’s River Campus. Both events are free and open to the public.
Young people of Polish descent from preschoolers to high school seniors will celebrate Polish culture through musical and artistic presentations. Sabina Slepecki, first violinist with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, is the artistic director of the concert, now in its 11th year. Eleven young performers will play a variety of pieces by Beethoven, Mendelssohn Haydn, Menken, Vivaldi, and other composers on piano, cello, saxophone, flute, guitar, and violin. The Polish Heritage Society will present two awards of $500 each in the field of music. Students in third to 11th grades with two years of musical training will compete for the awards.
Nine youths will present their paintings, drawings, and sculptures. For the first time, they will be entered in a contest for best art submission. The art exhibition will open after the concert. A reception also will be held.
The concert and exhibition are part of the Skalny Lecture and Artist Series, a continuing program of performances and special offerings for the Rochester community. For more information, contact the Skalny Center at (585) 275-9898.