The Bay-Atlantic Symphony has chosen Dr. Herman J. Saatkamp, Jr., President of Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in Galloway Township, to be the first recipient of its Golden Baton Award.

The award, to be given on Sept. 18 at the Orchestra's 25th Anniversary Celebration at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, is in recognition of his "passion and support of the arts and, in particular, classical music."

This "passion and support," according to Symphony Board of Trustees President Michele Morgan Basile, has been shown by Stockton's support for the Symphony's innovative programs including: the Symphony's exciting subscription series concerts; educational concerts serving thousands of school-aged students; master classes for young, promising musicians taught by world-class soloists; outreach education projects for special populations, especially the nationallyrecognized John D. Young Lions Blind Center education project in Absecon; and collaborative efforts with other art forms, particularly the "Wind's Wind"—a worldpremiere with Stockton's Kinetic Architecture.

"It is President Saatkamp's enthusiasm for creation and his spirit for the new that has impressed and enthralled us," Basile said. "We can only hope this imaginative partnership lasts a very long time."

The Bay-Atlantic Symphony has been the orchestra-inresidence at the Richard Stockton College Performing Arts Center since 1993.

The orchestra's 25th Anniversary Celebration will be a gala performance at 8 p.m. on September 18, in the Music Box at the Borgata. Joining the orchestra will be Cirque de la Symphonie for an exciting program combining symphonic music with the visual delights and masterful choreography of a cirque program - acrobats, flyers, dancers, jugglers, contortionists, and strongmen. Tickets are available by calling 1-866-900-4849 or online at www.theborgata.com.

For more information on the Bay-Atlantic Symphony, please call (856) 451-1169 or visit the Symphony's website at www.bayatlanticsymphony.org.