Evening Wear by Beethoven: Boston Symphony Orchestra's Third Annual Fashion Contest

BOSTON, MA - The Boston Symphony Orchestra presents Project Beethoven, a unique fashion contest featuring fashion inspired by the music of Ludwig von Beethoven, scheduled in conjunction with upcoming BSO concerts featuring Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3, on February 3 at Symphony Hall.

The Project Beethoven contest will feature evening wear designs by ten talented fashion students affiliated with schools throughout the greater Boston area. Symphony Hall doors will open at 6:30 p.m. on February 3, allowing patrons to view the dresses, presented by models chosen by the designers, and enjoy the festive Symphony Hall atmosphere before taking their seats for the 8 p.m. concert.

The winner of Project Beethoven will be announced at a special post-concert fashion event and reception in Higginson Hall, following the performance.

The ten contestants competing in the Project Beethoven contest are Candice Wu, School of Fashion Design; Ashley Boiardi, Framingham State University; Maria Canada, Rhode Island School of Design; Monique "MJ" Batson, Brown University; Katie McCusker, Bay State College; Lauren Trump and Michele Pheanis, Mt. Ida College; and Jessica Hutchings, Yuki Kanai, and Nicole Wzorek, Lasell College. Each contestant has been given $100 towards the production of his or her design. For downloadable photos of the designs, click here: https://www.box.net/shared/qlrbz3vica.

The winner of Project Beethoven will be determined by a judging panel including Alexandra Hall, Executive Editor of Lifestyle for Boston Magazine; Fashion designers Michael DePaulo and Sara Campbell; Liana Krupp of New Brahmin; and BSO cellist Owen Young. Jared Bowen, arts reporter for WGBH's Greater Boston, will serve as the emcee for the February 3rd post-concert event. The Project Beethoven winner will be featured in Boston Magazine and additional prizes will be announced.

Project Beethoven is part of Symphony+, the BSO's program of pre- and post-concert events designed to offer concertgoers a wide variety of both educational and light-hearted events. Launched during the 2008-09 season in response to feedback from patrons expressing interest in social and educational activities that extend beyond the concert, Symphony+ activities also include pre- and post-concert receptions with guest artists and BSO musicians, special events, and a variety of themed dinners and receptions. For further information, visit www.bso.org .

Project Beethoven is made possible with support from Boston Magazine, fashion consultant Kathy Benharris, photographer William Downey, makeup artist Debra Macki, and Brandon Keith Hair.

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TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets for the regular-season Boston Symphony Orchestra concerts on Tuesday and Thursday evenings are priced from $29 to $108, Friday afternoons, are priced from $29 to $103; concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings are priced from $31 to $118. Tickets may be purchased by phone through SymphonyCharge (617-266-1200 or 888-266-1200), online through the BSO's website (www.bso.org ), or in person at the Symphony Hall Box Office (301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston). There is a $5.50 service fee for all tickets purchased online or by phone through SymphonyCharge. American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club, and Discover, and cash (in person only) are all accepted at the Symphony Hall Box Office.

A limited number of rush tickets for Boston Symphony Orchestra subscription concerts on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Friday afternoons are set aside to be sold on the day of a performance. These tickets are sold at $9 each, one to a customer, at the Symphony Hall Box Office on Fridays beginning at 10 a.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning at 5 p.m. $20 tickets are available during the BSO season for patrons under 40 years of age. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis for both the orchestra and balcony levels. There is a limit of one pair of tickets per performance. The $25 College Card allows students to attend up to 26 BSO programs through out the season at no additional cost. BSO College Card tickets will be available - one per cardholder, student ID required - on a first-come, first-served basis at the Symphony Hall Box Office beginning the Monday of the week of each concert date. High school students can attend up to 26 BSO programs through out the season for only $15 with the Young Musicians Club Card. Young Musicians Club tickets may be picked-up on a first-come, first-served basis at the BSO Box Office at Symphony Hall beginning the Monday of the week of each concert date.

Gift certificates are available in any amount and may be used toward the purchase of tickets (subject to availability) to any Boston Symphony Orchestra or Boston Pops performance at Symphony Hall or Tanglewood. Gift certificates may also be used at the Symphony Shop to purchase merchandise.

Patrons with disabilities can access Symphony Hall through the Massachusetts Avenue lobby or the Cohen Wing on Huntington Avenue. An access service center, accessible restrooms, and elevators are available inside the Cohen Wing entrance. For ticket information, call the Access Services Administrator at 617-638-9431 or TDD/TTY 617-638-9289.

SPONSORSHIPS: UBS will continue its partnership with the Boston Symphony Orchestra as its exclusive season sponsor, building on the mutually successful partnership that began in 2003. EMC Corporation is the supporting partner of the 2010-11 BSO season. The Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston, together with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, is the Official Hotel of the BSO. Commonwealth Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation is the Official Chauffeured Transportation Provider of the BSO. The Evening Open Rehearsal series is supported by Harvard University Extension School and Harvard Summer School.

All programs and artists are subject to change. For current program information, dial 617-CONCERT (266-2378). For further information, call the Boston Symphony Orchestra at 617-266-1492. The Boston Symphony Orchestra is online at www.bso.org .