According to Vladimir Lande, COSMIC Symphony’s much heralded conductor; his fifth season is one everyone should make an effort to see for themselves. “This year, we want to get as many people involved in all aspects of art as possible.”

 Lande went on to say that the COSMIC Symphony with now almost 60 or 65 excellent musicians has an incredible energy that is felt in every piece they play. “The musicians we have are playing because they love the art of music and not just collecting a paycheck.”

 Lande, born in St. Petersburg, Russia, has been a musician his entire life. At 20 he was a conductor, oboist and pianist. He also served as principal oboist for the St. Petersburg Philharmonic. When asked when he was born, the youthful and energetic conductor smiled and said, “That is a secret.”

 He came to the United States on December 5, 1989 and has been involved in music and the promoting of arts here ever since.

 This weekend, COSMIC Symphony launches its 2007-2008 concert season with two performances benefiting St. Mary’s Hospice. The shows are entitled Some Things Devine.

 The first performance of the year will be Saturday, Nov. 3 at Patuxent Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. and then a repeat performance will be held on Sunday, Nov. 4 at Huntingtown High School at 4 p.m.

 The concerts will feature selections from John William’s Harry Potter Suite, Dvorak’s Cello Concerto (featuring National Symphony cellist, Jorge Espinoza), Steven Gerber’s Spirituals for String Orchestra and Mozart’s Overture to Don Giovanni. In addition to these wonderful selections, COSMIC will début the COSMIC Flute Choir.

 All of the COSMIC Symphony concerts dates will be here on TheBAYNET.com events calendar.

 Be sure to catch a performance and feel the energy of the music as conducted by Lande. If you want him to smile, just ask him how old he is.

Vladimir Lande practices one final time before COSMIC Symphony’s first performances of the season this weekend.