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Symphony back for annual park concert
8/27/2015 12:21:18 PM

By Mary Kate Koch
Splash Contributor

It is time once again to break out the low-back chairs, picnic baskets and blankets to celebrate the unofficial end of summer with the Spokane Symphony and Friends of Pavillion Park. Held annually in Pavillion Park on Labor Day weekend, the Lud Kramer Memorial Concert is a tradition spanning more than a decade in Liberty Lake. This year, the concert will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 5 and, as always, it's free for all ages.

"The Symphony concert is different from the other summer concerts in just the size of the concert," FOPP President Joe Frank said. "With all the musicians brought as part of the Symphony, it is all our stage can handle. There is something unique and captivating in listening to the Symphony in an outdoor venue, where you can just lay back and enjoy the music."

Although different in stage presence than the other concerts in the FOPP summer series, the Symphony is just the same in inviting children and adults alike to dance and frolic to the music. However, if attendees just want to relax and listen, that is more than fine, too. 

Concertgoers can listen easy knowing that they are in the able hands of Spokane Symphony Director Eckart Preu. Preu is a renowned East German-born conductor who has been directing the Spokane Symphony since 2004. Accordingly, Preu is a seasoned veteran of the Pavillion Park concert and knows how to turn an enjoyable show.

In line with tradition, the concert will commence with a rendition of John Stafford Smith's "The Star-Spangled Banner." Following this patriotic starter, Preu and the Symphony will delve into a lineup of tunes ranging from light classics to favorites from Hollywood, Broadway and pop music.

"The music played by the Spokane Symphony is not usually something you just turn on the radio and listen to," Frank said. 

Not everyone has the time or means to make it to a Spokane Symphony concert during the regular symphony season. Additionally, many people might not know they are even interested in symphony music. With funding raised at the annual Holiday Ball, the FOPP are able to provide the community with a free opportunity to experience the sounds of a symphony from a first-class ensemble.

"I think this annual tradition brings the magic and sounds of the Symphony to a large audience that may not have the opportunity to attend a music event like this if they had to pay for it," Frank said.

Because of its goals to provide equal opportunities to the community and unite people with a quality event, it is highly fitting that the concert is named in memory of Lud Kramer. Kramer passed away from cancer in 2004 after a lifetime of public service, including years serving as the FOPP president and on the board. One of Kramer's chief passions was fighting for everyone's ability to access resources and opportunities regardless of socio-economic status. 

"The Spokane Symphony Concert is our biggest event of the year and we have always felt that it should be named after (Kramer), who was a guiding vision for the formation of Liberty Lake," Frank said.

• • • 

IF YOU GO ...
Lud Kramer Memorial Spokane Symphony Concert
6 p.m. Sept. 5
Pavillion Park, Liberty Lake
Free

• • • 

What's in a name?  
The annual Lud Kramer Memorial Spokane Symphony Concert is named after a prominent member of Liberty Lake's recent history. 

A. Ludlow Kramer, known simply as Lud, moved to Liberty Lake in 1994 with his wife, Patricia. Kramer came to Liberty Lake after a successful career in Washington state government. In addition to serving as a Seattle City Council member at the young age of 29, Kramer was also elected as the youngest ever Secretary of State for Washington.

When Kramer retired to Liberty Lake, he brought with him his passion for helping people and civic engagement. Kramer was one of the original members of the Trails Committee and served on the Transportation Benefit District Board after working to promote it as well as funding for a trail system and pedestrian bridge. 

Kramer was a part of the formation of the Liberty Lake 2000 committee and signed the Notice of Intent to Incorporate to begin the process of forming the city of Liberty Lake in 2000. Kramer continued to assist the planning for the new city of Liberty Lake by serving as a leader of the transition effort. 

Dedicated to bringing people together in beautiful places and with fulfilling activities, Kramer worked toward this vision as a member and president of Friends of Pavillion Park. During his leadership with FOPP, Kramer helped oversee the construction of the park and the start of many community activities, including concerts.

In addition to his formal leadership positions, Kramer also led by example. He could often be found planting flowers on Trailhead Golf Course or shelving books at the library. 

Kramer passed away from cancer on April 9, 2004, at the age of 71. His legacy lives on with the FOPP and the Ludlow Foundation, a charitable organization that provides small grants to needy people and nonprofit organizations.

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