Keeneland to celebrate 75th anniversary with ‘Pops,’ UK

The Keeneland Association, known worldwide for its Thoroughbred racing and sales, will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2011 with a big bang, and a big band – the Boston Pops and the University of Kentucky Symphony Orchestra.

Keeneland, UK, and Maker’s Mark leaders announced today a collaboration concert between the two orchestras in Rupp Arena set for Oct. 15, 2011, 75 years from the exact day that Keeneland officially opened.  The concert will be a tribute to the historic racetrack.  Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart and UK Symphony Orchestra conductor John Nardolillo will lead the orchestras, and the concert will culminate in the two orchestras playing side by side.
“It is a tremendous honor to have the Boston Pops tribute as the cornerstone of our 75th Anniversary celebration,” said Keeneland President and CEO Nick Nicholson. “We plan to have celebrations commemorating our anniversary all year long, but the anniversary will culminate with this remarkable collaboration between the Boston Pops and the University of Kentucky. We give a special thanks to our goods friends at Maker’s Mark, especially Bill Samuels, for helping make this possible.”
The concert proceeds will benefit the UK Symphony Orchestra Outreach Endowment.  The endowment is part of a three-year commitment by Maker’s Mark and Keeneland to help bring arts and music to Kentucky elementary schools.  Since the endowment began, the UK Symphony Orchestra has played concerts for thousands of school children in the Commonwealth.
“The performances around Kentucky funded by this outreach program are tremendous for our students in the UK Orchestra, the children who participate in the programs, and the communities who hear the concerts,” said Nardolillo. “The money raised by our concert with the Boston Pops will help continue the valuable work the outreach program is doing and will have a lasting impact on the state.”