Society's orchestra this week.

The BMDS invited Paul Hostetter, music director of the Lyric Orchestra of New York and founding member of contemporary music group Music Mobile, to conduct the Daylesford Sinfonia in an all-American concert.

Mr. Hostetter's previous experience includes serving as music director for the Kean Symphony orchestra, guest conductor for the Prism Chamber orchestra, and conductor for Leonard Bernstein's Candide.

He has also worked with James Levine in a series of chamber music performances by the Metropolitan Opera at Carnegie Hall, and is the conductor for the Washington Square Chamber Music Society, the Sequitur Ensemble, and Ensemble 21.

Also active in educational roles, Mr. Hostetter is a conductor on the faculty of New York University and has presented master classes at The Juilliard School, The Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College, The Peabody Conservatory, New York University, and San Paulo State College in Brazil.

Starting at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, the Sinfonia will perform popular classical music with American origins or themes.

Scheduled pieces include Aaron Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, and Rodeo; George Gershwin's An American in Paris; and Antonin Dvorak's Symphony Number Nine (New World Symphony).

And to further enhance the performance, 16 visiting US musicians will fill orchestral positions for which highly-skilled locals are unavailable.

However, local violinist and Menuhin teacher Diane Hamilton will lead the concert as first violinist.

Mr. Hostetter will also give a talk in the City Hall lobby 45 minutes before showtime to discuss the night's music.

Concert tickets for the Daylesford Sinfonia American Concert are $25 for adults and $15 for children and students. Students are considered to be any qualifying pupil of any age who is instructed by a teacher performing in the concert.

Tickets are on sale from the box office at the Daylesford Theatre on Dundonald Street, Pembroke, from 5.30 to 7.30 p.m.