VERMONT: The Vermont Symphony Orchestra presents its popular TD Bank Summer Festival Tour in eight special outdoor locations this summer featuring Broadway star Sara Jean Ford in “Summer Songbook.” From Thursday, June 27 through Sunday, July 7, the Orchestra will tour the state to perform in beautiful mountain and lakeside settings, memorable places for picnics, music and fireworks under the stars.

Noted soprano Sara Jean Ford joins the VSO for hits from the Great American Songbook. Vocal numbers by Richard Rodgers, Cole Porter, and George Gershwin share the spotlight with irresistible Benny Goodman big band tunes. Orchestral favorites from the world of opera add drama, fantasy, and exoticism to a songful theme. The concert closes with the traditional 1812 Overture, marches and fireworks. Concert-goers are encouraged to bring a picnic (although food and beverage will be available for purchase at some locations.)

The complete list of dates and venues: Thursday, June 27, Mountain Top Inn and Resort, Chittenden; Saturday, June 29, Three Stallion Inn, Randolph; Tuesday, July 2, Hunter Fairgrounds, Manchester; Wednesday, July 3, Grafton Ponds, Grafton; Thursday, July 4, Shelburne Farms, Shelburne; Friday, July 5, Suicide Six, South Pomfret (Co-presented with Pentangle Arts Council); Saturday, July 6, Jay Peak Resort, Jay (Presented by Jay Peak Resort); Sunday, July 7, Trapp Concert Meadow, Stowe (co-produced with Stowe Performing Arts)

“The Summer Festival Tour is a cherished tradition here in Vermont,” says VSO executive director Alan Jordan. “The VSO is the only American orchestra that actually tours its entire state every summer. Venues may change from year to year, but bringing music to special Vermont settings is a joy for us, too,” he says. “So we hope people will get their tickets, gather their picnics, and joins us for an evening of music and fireworks in a town nearby this summer.”

All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Gates at the various locations will open for picnicking between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. depending on location. Tickets range from $31-34 for adults; at most locations, tickets are free for children under age 18 with advance ticket purchase ($11-12 at the gate). Ticket prices for children at Shelburne are $17 under age 12, and at Stowe are $11 for children age 5-17. Tickets purchased at the gate will be subject to a surcharge, so advance purchase is recommended. All sites are wheelchair accessible. For eleven consecutive years, TD Bank has kindly served as the title sponsor for the VSO’s Summer Festival Tour.

For more information about the VSO TD Bank Summer Festival Tour, including a listing of local ticket outlets, or to order tickets, please visit www.vso.org or call (800) 876-9293, ext. 10. Tickets for most performances may also be purchased through FlynnTix at (802) 863-5966 or www.flynntix.org on line.