MIAMI (CBS4) – Flutist Melanie Lancon is playing a piece from the opera Carmen.  A warmup for tonight’s big concert titled “Heroic Beethoven” at the New World Center. This year marks The New World Symphony 25^TH anniversary season. Melanie is a fellow in the new world symphony.

“Being a fellow is kind of like an in-between for those of us who have finished graduate school,  have done all the  studies but then they have some really intense practice of the orchestral world,” said Melanie Lancon, a fellow in the NWS.

At Friday night’s event, a state of the union address by the symphonies president will be given inside. But outside, it’s music and more as thousands can pull up a chair or put down blanket in Soundscape park and listen to some amazing classical music, all free of charge.

“It’s incredible. Our video team works 36 hours rehearsing before the event, and then it’s projected outside. We’ll have 1500 people sitting there taking it all in,” said Nathalie Cadet-James from “Friends of the New World,” the organization putting on the event.

“Friends of the New World Symphony” is run by Florencia Jimenez-Marcos and Nathalie Cadet-James. They tell CBS4’s Lisa Petrillo that they are determined to bring music to the masses.

“We promote classical music to a new generation, a young generation, and we do that by putting on innovative programs and concerts and then have some great After Hours parties!” Explained Cadet-James.

To date, some 2000 people have come to Soundscape lawn on the grounds of the New World Center to enjoy a free concert. The group is hoping many will come inside as well. This year’s anniversary season features many affordable concerts, including some for as low as $2.50 a ticket.

“Not only can you come to listen to world’s class musical for less than price of a latte, but it’s really a way to develop a new generation,” said Jimenez-Marcos.

For event/ticket information go to nws.edu