DOWNEY - Try thinking of a symphony orchestra concert as a three-scoop ice cream cone. Not only can that be done, it can be experienced, when you come to the Downey Symphony's performance tomorrow evening, Jan. 29, at our Civic Theatre.As served up by Music Director Sharon Lavery, we have: The top scoop, "Sweet Suite" flavor. Lovely music composed in 1913 by Gustav Holst for his fortunate, and gifted, students at St. Paul's Girls' School, just outside London. The middle scoop, "Tutti Flutie" flavor. A delicious combination of Mozart and flutist Francesco Camuglia, winner of the Downey Symphony's Young Artist Competition. The last scoop, "Russian Pleaser" flavor. Everyone loves this work by Tchaikovsky, the Serenade for Strings. Evan Tchaikovsky liked it, and he was a hard sell. So there you have it, one of the best bargains in town, brought to you by one of the finest metropolitan orchestras in the state of California, right here in Dwoney. The theater is at 8435 Firestone Blvd. at the corner of Brookshire, and tickets are available at the box office Saturday beginning at 6:30 p.m. Concert time is 8 p.m., and if you'd like to learn more about the ingredients, come listen to Sharon Lavery's pre-concert discussion of the music at 7:15 p.m. Comfortable reserved seats are priced at $30 and $25, $10 for students. Parking is free and ample. You may feel that three scoops of ice cream is a little excessive, and you're probably right. But this kind of nourishment has no downside, no fats, no calories, no guilt. The music will simply make you feel good. The Downey Symphony has been around for 54 years, and we proudly guarantee our product. For more information, visit www.downeysymphony.org. (The next concert of this season will be on April 2, hint hint.)

********** Published: January 27, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 41