LCSO to Present FREE CONCERT at Friendship Botanic Gardens July 20

La Porte, June 16, 2025 - The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra will perform its annual FREE outdoor summer concert conducted by Music Director Dr. Carolyn Watson, in Friendship Botanic Gardens' Celebration Pavilion on Sunday, July 20 at 7:00 pm. No tickets are required for this event: it is free and open to the public. Gates open at 6:00 pm, with free parking in the Main Parking lot off US Highway 12 and the Event Parking lot off Marquette Trail. Visit Friendship Botanic Gardens map for details and directions.

The program includes a variety of works both classical and pops, with music by Mendelssohn, Dvořák, Rossini, Scott Joplin, and more. Dr. Watson will give a preview of the LCSO's upcoming 2025-2026 concert season with a piece from America's Jazz Age that will be played on the Feburary 2026 concert, as well as music by contemporary composer Kevin Day, whose piece Upwelling for solo saxophone and orchestra will be given its world premiere by the LCSO this November. The concert will also feature performances by the 2024 Hoosier Star Youth Winner and Adult Winner, Sophia Grubbs and Alyssa Atkinson, who will sing their winning songs. The concert will run approximately one hour and fifteen minutes with no intermission.

Audience members are encouraged to bring their own chairs, picnic blankets, food and beverage to the event. The Gardens will have some chairs available at no cost. Restrooms will be available near the Celebration Pavilion.

Please call the LCSO office with questions: 219.362.9020.

Special thanks to Contributing Sponsors: NIPSCO and Purdue University Northwest

About the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra
The La Porte County Symphony Orchestra is a cornerstone of the vibrant arts landscape in Northwest Indiana. The orchestra serves the 110,000 residents of La Porte County and regions beyond, including Southwest Michigan. Now in its 52nd season, the LCSO has grown from a small community orchestra into a dynamic, professional organization of 60 musicians serving audiences from seven counties. Each year, the orchestra presents four subscription concerts, in addition to the Hoosier Star and Holiday at the Pops concerts. The LCSO's music education programming includes the annual Drayton Family Children's Education Concerts, which serve over 5,000 students each year, in addition to a Student Apprentice Program for high school musicians and numerous collaborations with area schools.