SOUTH COLTON -- The Town of Colton kicks off its 2014 series of seven summer music performances on June 25 at 6:30 p.m. with the Northern Lights Orchestra (NLO) presenting “A Night on the River” in the Pavilion at Swift Field.

In acknowledgement of the town as “A Raquette River Community” this concert will feature music with river- and other water-related themes. It will include classics such as The Blue Danube and Handel's Water Music, traditional tunes such as Moon River, and modern favorites such as music from The Titanic, Pirates of the Caribbean and Lady in the Water.

The NLO is dedicated to bringing fine orchestral music to communities throughout the North Country. Now in its seventh season, the Orchestra has performed for appreciative audiences throughout St Lawrence and Jefferson Counties, playing in diverse venues such as concert halls, opera houses, museums, and outdoor parks and pavilions. The NLO particularly strives to play in the region’s communities that don’t often experience live orchestral concerts.

In addition to the standard orchestral complement of strings, woodwinds and brass, the NLO also features more contemporary instruments such as saxophone, electric bass, keyboard and drum set. It is made up of professional musicians and music teachers, accomplished amateurs, and exceptional students from the tri-county region of Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Conductor and music director Chris Hosmer has conducted, taught, performed, composed, and arranged music in Northern New York for more than twenty years.

Bring a chair to sit in. Refreshments will be available at all performances.

Admission is free.

It is made possible in part with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, administered by the St. Lawrence County Arts Council. The town also is pleased that four businesses—Gray & Gray CPAs, Hide Away Café, S&L Electric and White’s General Store—are helping sponsor the four performances being held at the Gazebo in the hamlet of Colton during July and August. Also, as a fundraising activity, a special drawing of artwork featuring the Raquette River by local artist Judy Filarecki will be held at each of the seven performances. And donations will be accepted during all performances to help cover the cost of the entire music series.

More information about the performances and other summer activities is available on the town website at www.townofcolton.com and the Town of Colton page on Facebook.

Hard copies of the summer schedule also are available at the Colton Town Hall and in the town’s two information centers, which are open during the summer.

Posters about the summer music performances are being displayed around town and in neighboring communities.

Ruth McWilliams can be called for details 262-2450.