Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website

St. John’s University marked the 25th anniversary of its Great Lawn Summer Concert on August 6, hosting alumni, faculty, administrators, and local residents on its Queens campus for an evening of classical music. The event featured the Richmond County Orchestra (RCO), which performed works by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Despite a light drizzle that delayed the start by 40 minutes and forced a shortened program when rain returned later in the evening, attendees remained enthusiastic. Phyllis Concilio ’67Ed, a member of The Loughlin Society from Glen Head, NY, said, “I love classical music, and I love coming back to St. John’s. It is such a beautiful campus, and the people here are wonderful.”

The RCO had previously made its debut at St. John’s last year during a special summer performance. This year’s concert began with Tchaikovsky’s Polonaise from Eugene Onegin and included selections from Swan Lake before concluding after 9 p.m. The orchestra has been active in the New York metropolitan area since 1998 and has played at venues including Carnegie Hall, The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, St. George Theatre, and Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden.

Maestro Alan Aurelia, now in his 27th year as conductor of RCO, commented on their ongoing relationship with St. John’s: “We always enjoy performing for St John’s University audiences; for 25 years we performed at the Staten Island campus,” he said. “We are excited to come to Queens to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the summer concert on the Great Lawn.”

The annual concert offers an opportunity for community members to enjoy live classical music outdoors on campus grounds—a tradition that began in 1998 but was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations, this year’s event also supported Hearts on Fire: The Campaign for St. John’s—a fundraising initiative aimed at enhancing student scholarships, academic programs, and facilities improvements across the university.

Prior to the concert itself, alumni—including members of both Loughlin and McCallen societies—were invited to a barbecue near the Great Lawn. These society members are recognized as significant donors who contribute toward scholarships and upgrades intended to benefit students.

Jack Kowalski ’76CBA,’83MBA of Forest Hills expressed his family connection with St. John’s: “St. John’s has been in my family for years,” he said as a Loughlin Society member. “We love the Vincentian values it espouses. I have had a successful career, and much of it has to do with St. John’s.”

McCallen Society member Dorothea T. Page ’85CBA from Wantagh added her perspective: “It’s such a joy to be back on the campus,” she said.“As a student, St. John’s won my heart.I always love the people I meet when I go to a St.John's event.”

Paul Lazauskas ’01CCPS,’08MBA—Associate Director of Alumni Relations—noted both this milestone anniversary and how these concerts foster community engagement: “For 25 years,the summer concert has brought together alumni and local community on our Great Lawn,together with a rich and diverse lineup of concerts and operas.We are proud to celebrate this memorable evening of music and St.John's spirit with Richmond County Orchestra—all supporting our Hearts on Fire campaign.”