MICHAEL KOSMALA, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS,
TO HOST DISCUSSION ON 20th-CENTURY FRENCH IMPRESSIONISM
______________________________________________________________________________

Portland, Ore. … Michael Kosmala, Oregon Symphony Director of Education and Community Programs, will host a free discussion on 20th-century French Impressionism during Fortissimo's Listening Group meeting Tuesday, March 26, at 6 p.m. at Classical Millennium Northwest (801 NW 23rd Ave.). Fortissimo, the Oregon Symphony's young professional volunteer organization, offers the Listening Group as a monthly, open forum for people with little or no formal music education to discuss works featured in upcoming Oregon Symphony performances. Fortissimo's Listening Group is sponsored by Classical Millennium Northwest.

Kosmala's discussion will focus on Ravel's Concerto for the Left Hand in the context of 20th-century French Impressionism. The work will be conducted by Music Director Candidate Kees Bakels in a Symphony Classical Concert featuring guest soloist Jean-Yves Thibaudet Saturday and Sunday, April 6 and 7, at 7:30 p.m. and Monday, April 8, at 8 p.m. at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Kosmala was appointed Director of Education and Community Programs in October, 2000, and previously was Director of Education for the Portland Symphony Orchestra in Maine. He has K-12 and university teaching experience, most recently at the Community Music School of Michigan State University. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Kosmala has also held orchestral positions in Germany, Mexico, and the United States.

Fortissimo Listening Group meets at Classical Millennium once a month (801 NW 23rd Ave.) and is free and open to the public. The forum was designed for people to share thoughts on music and expose themselves to new perspectives in a friendly environment. For more information and a schedule of meetings, call 503-228-4294, e-mail fortissimo@orsymphony.org or visit the Symphony's Web site at www.orsymphony.org.