03/23/2025
Time: 2 P.M.
St. Peter’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 500 South Country Road, Bay Shore
The Island Symphony Orchestra is set to welcome spring with a special performance in Bay Shore on Sunday, March 23, featuring the world premiere of “Sinfonietta Pastorale,” a brand-new piece by Music Director, Eric R. Stewart.
Stewart’s latest composition draws inspiration from the calls of New York State’s native birds, bringing their songs to life through music. The performance will feature guest artist, New York Philharmonic flutist and piccolo player, Mindy Kaufman.
But that’s not all — concertgoers will also enjoy “The Beauty of Birds,” an art exhibition curated by the Seatuck Environmental Association. For more on the exhibition, visit seatuck.org.
A Symphony of Birds
Stewart, a Buffalo native, worked closely with Seatuck Environmental Association naturalist John Turner to study the sounds of birds like the mourning dove, whip-poor-will, black-capped chickadee, dark-eyed junco, and piping plover. His goal? To translate their calls into a musical masterpiece.
“The process of composing this piece was very special to me,” Stewart said. “I drew on childhood memories in Buffalo, surrounded by snow, hearing nothing but the birds calling to one another.”
About Guest Artist Mindy Kaufman
Mindy Kaufman joined the New York Philharmonic at just 22 years old and has performed with the orchestra under legendary conductors like Zubin Mehta and Lorin Maazel. In addition to her concert career, she has played on more than 45 film soundtracks and teaches at the Shanghai Orchestra Academy.
What Else to Expect
The March 23 concert will also feature “Concertino for Flute” by Cécile Chaminade and Antonín Dvořák’s “Symphony No. 6.”
And for all the bird lovers out there — the Great South Bay Audubon Society will provide a printed guide to the birds featured in “Sinfonietta Pastorale.”
Details
- Location: St. Peter’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 500 South Country Road, Bay Shore
- Time: 2 p.m.
- Tickets at the door: Adult: $15. Students: Free
The Island Symphony Orchestra 2025 concert season is supported by Long Island Grants for the Arts through funds provided by the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and administered by The Huntington Arts Council.
Top: Music director Eric R. Stewart. Photo credit: Sophie Xuefei Zhang. Bird photo by Amy Luschen.
