Is it really March already? It seems like I've been waiting for March for a very long time! It means we are getting close to our "Celtic Celebrations" concert on March 17 - and it also means it is time for us to visit our friends at the Appleton Public Library for another Fox Valley Symphony Book Club event!
In honor of our concert, we are going with a Celtic theme, and I couldn't be happier. I love Celtic designs, stories, music and all things Celtic. (My collection is growing at a rather alarming rate.)
The Library put together a great book list for us. I hope you find something you like; I know I did. You can also check the InfoSoup catalogue to see what is available. (Visit the Appleton Public Library Website by clicking here. Go to InfoSoup in the top left corner to find books.)
We will be meeting at the Appleton Public Library on Monday, March 12 at Noon. Feel free to bring a bag lunch and join us for a great conversation. I promise to bring along a sample of the music you will hear at our concert also. The music is as captivating as the Irish countryside.
I'll see you soon. START READING!
(You can learn more our concert or purchase tickets by clicking here.)
Celtic Celebration ~ Suggested Reading and Viewing
Fiction (Mystery) The Celtic Riddle, Hamilton, Lyn. 2000
270.089 Cel Celtic Spirituality. 1999
274.1 Bra Celtic Christianity: Making Myths and Chasing Dreams, Bradley, Ian C. 1999
274. 15 My My Journey to Life: On the Trail of Celtic Saints (DVD). 2010
299.16 DeW The Celtic Way of Prayer, DeWaal, Esther. 1997
299.16 McC Celtic Women’s Spirituality: Accessing the Cauldron of Life, McCoy, Edain. 1998
398.2089916 Eli Celtic Myths and Legends, Ellis, Peter Berresford. 2002
709.361 OBr Celtic Decorative Art: A Living Tradition, O’Brien, Deborah. 2000
745. 4494 Meg Celtic Art: From its Beginnings to the Book of Kells, Megaw, M. Ruth. 2001
779.37 Pli Philip Plisson’s Celtic Coastlines, Plisson, Philip. 2007
781.62916 Cel Celtic Crossroads (DVD). 2011
781.62916 Cel Celtic Music. 2001
914.1504 Cel Celtic Voyage: A Fascinating Journey through Ireland (DVD). 2011
936.4 Dil The Celtic Realms, Dillon, Myles. 2006
941.082 Wat A Celtic Childhood, Watkins, Bill. 1999
941.5 Cel A Celtic Journey through Time: A Short Story of Ireland (DVD). 1998
Well, finally! It's been quiet in the house recently, but that will come to an end this Saturday. On February 4, 2012, we will be returning to the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center for our "New Horizons" concert.
We are fortunate to have three amazing guest artists join us for this performance, and I can't wait for you to meet each of them.
Kitsho Hosotani began violin studies in 2004 at the age of 4. Born into a family of violinists, his earliest experiences included regularly attending his older brother's violin lessons and his ardent enthusiasm for the instrument and its repertoire have continued to grow.
A student of Paul Vanderwerf, Hosotani studied formerly under Betty Lewis and Paul Zafer. Currently, he is a member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Concert Orchestra and recently won their concerto competition. The FVSO February performance will be his orchestra debut, but he will also perform with the CYSO in April of 2012.
On the rare occasions when he sets his violin aside, Mr. Hosotani enjoys bike riding, tree climbing and, of course, reading Harry Potter.
Kitsho will be performing Saint-Saens Introduction to Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28.
10 year old David Hou is a 5th grader from Buffalo Grove, Illinois. David began learning piano and music at the age of 5 with Brenda Huang, one of the finest piano teachers in the Chicago area, and has since won a collection of awards from many piano competitions.
Most recently, David is the winner of 2010 Walgreens National Concerto Competition Junior Open Piano Division, first place winner of 2009 ISMTA District Audition Elementary Division and one of the selected winners of the 2011 Chicago Steinway Solo Competition.
Currently David is a member of the piano trio chamber music group in the Midwest Young Artist Center and has performed regularly in the MYA Sunday Soiree at Ravinia's Bennett-Gordon Hall.
Besides playing piano, David likes to read, swim, play video games and enjoy outdoor activities.
David will be performing Liszt's Concerto No. 1 in Eb major, S. 124.
Dan Rager is Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Wisconsin at Fond du Lac. He is recognized internationally as a composer and conductor of symphonic music and has over 100 compositions and arrangements published in the educational market.
His music enjoys international performances and recordings by The Cleveland Orchestra, The Cleveland Chamber Symphony, The United States Navy Band, The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Frederick Fennell Symphonic Winds, The Washington Winds, The Apollo String Quartet, The Saratov Philharmonic Orchestra of Russia, The State Radio & Television Orchestra of Moscow, The Amsterdam Wind Orchestra, The South Korean Philharmonic and countless orchestras and wind orchestras throughout Australia, Argentina, Canada, Europe, Japan and Russia.
Rager is recipient of the 2010 Kaplan Award at the University of Wisconsin at Fond du Lac. In 2006, he won first place with the Brandt Brass & Percussion Ensemble of Russia for his five movement Divertimento “State of Mind”, which premiered at the (ITG) International Trumpet Guild conference in Bangkok, Thailand. Rager also won first place with the American Composers Forum in 2003 for his 2nd symphony, “Prairie River Reflections”, and Honorable first place from the International Orchestra Association for his French horn concerto “Colours of Saratov.”
Millennium Suite is a condensed two movement composition (although we will only be performing the first movement) that was originally part of his first symphony of four movements. The music begins with a dramatic and texturally thick monophonic rhythmic motif that reoccurs throughout the first section. The music is dark, conveying an ominous feeling. This piece was selected by the Fox Valley Symphony’s audience through online voting at the beginning of the season. There were over 2000 total votes cast and Rager’s piece was selected over eight others.
Brian Groner says the music "has a powerful opening, an energetic, almost dance-like middle and a bittersweet, nostalgic ending. It is a very effective work." Many of our followers agreed, with online voting for Rager's suite receiving over 700 votes.
Dan Rager will be joining Brian Groner at the pre-concert talk to discuss the music and answer audience questions. PAC doors open at 6:30pm and the talk begins at 6:40pm and is free to the public.
We're looking forward to starting the second half of our season with these amazing people and look forward to seeing you in the hall. Visit our website to purchase tickets. Remember, all music teachers get a free ticket to our concerts and student tickets are only $10 day of concert.
Thanks to our sponsors for this concert: Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Mielke Family Foundation, Wells Fargo and Menasha Corporation.
The Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra Association is sharing the gift of music this holiday season. Small groups of musicians will be performing at public venues in the Fox Valley region. Not your typical venues, these include fitness centers, restaurants and grocery stores. “Operation Overture” will give free public performances where you might least expect to find a symphony.
“We’re celebrating a milestone year with our 45th anniversary and we really want to share our celebration with people throughout the community,” says Development Director Julie Filapek.
A project grant from the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region helped to attain this goal, which has been on the Symphony’s wish list for some time. “We love connecting our orchestra with the public,” says Director of Operations Jamie LaFreniere, “and this grant makes it possible without worrying about costs. This is as much a gift for us as for anyone enjoying the music.”
Executive Director Rosie Cannizzo explains, “We love it when you join us at the Performing Arts Center for our regular concerts, but with this program, instead of making you come to us, we’re bringing the Fox Valley Symphony to you. I hope it’s a wonderful surprise for people to show up at the grocery store to do their shopping, and then discover they get to listen to some great music performed by symphony members who also happen to be their neighbors, teachers, and friends.”
Schedule of Appearances:
Monday, December 19 at 10am: Appleton YMCA (East Lawrence Street, Appleton) – FVSO Brass Quintet
Monday, December 19 at Noon: The Heritage (South Heritage Woods Drive, Appleton) – FVSO Brass Quintet
Tuesday, December 20 at Noon: Zuppas (South Commercial Street, Neenah) – FVSO String Quartet
Friday, December 23 from 4pm – 6pm: Woodman’s (Westhill Boulevard, Appleton) – Youth Orchestra Trombonists
Friday, December 30 from 4pm – 6pm: Copps (South Commercial Street, Neenah) – FVSO and Youth Strings
“Operation Overture” will continue through the 11-12 season. For more information or to request an appearance, contact Julie Filapek at (920)968-0300.
If you are a big fan of your ipod or listen to Pandora radio online, you understand how great it is to have music selected just for you. Well, now is your chance to program the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra to suit your tastes! But you only have four days left to help us select the music for our upcoming performance.
The New Horizons concert (on February 4th at the Fox Cities PAC) will showcase two young performers, David Hou on piano and Kitsho Hosotani on violin, as well as a new work by a contemporary composer. That's where you come in! There is so much amazing new music out there, we need your input.
Brian Groner, music director of the Fox Valley Symphony orchestra, wants to bring some of today's composers into the spotlight. "Composers are living, breathing humans with interesting lives and musical stories to share which enrich our world and our culture," says Brian. "By offering up a number of choices to our audience I hope that in some small way it helps to pique our curiosity about all the music that is out there. Sigh….so much music, so little time."
Click here to visit our voting page!
Brian also shared some of his thoughts on your choices:
Diane Wittry – “Mist” – A beautifully crafted, ethereal piece by one of the country’s most dynamic conductor/composers. Here is a link to her spoken introduction to the piece.
Dan Rager – Millenium Suite – This is a proud and evocative work by the professor of theory and composition from U.W. Fond du Lac. I had the good fortune to meet him this past summer at the FVS performance in Buttermilk Park.
Mark Petering - “Train & Tower after Sibelius” – From a Milwaukee born composer, this extremely appealing work was the winning submission in a competition. For that competition each composer crafted a work which featured the actual sounds of a locomotive as part of the piece. Here is a link to its story.
Pierre Jalbert - “Les espaces infinis” – Pierre is a friend of one of my high school friends. This work is hauntingly beautiful and clearly a product of genius.
James Stephenson - “Concertino and Fanfare” – I frequently receive publicity emails and printed materials from composers which I file and then sort through periodically. I was sorting through these emails when I came upon one from Mr. Stephenson. I visited the link to his website and was very much impressed by his music.
Joseph Russo – “In Memoriam” for Strings (for 9/11) – I recently conducted this piece on a concert at Northeastern Illinois University. It is eloquent in its simplicity and deeply moving.
Christopher Caliendo – “Capricio Americano” – Christopher Caliendo is a rising star amongst U.S. composers. I discovered his music after accepting an invitation from him to join his network on LinkedIn. During the course of this season, I will be conducting the World Premier of one of his works (On December 8) and then will present a repeat performance of another this spring. He has composed over 500 works, many of which are in American Tango or Gypsy style. Great Fun!
Charlie Barnett - “The Daily Tango of Shadow and Light” – I discovered the work of Charlie Barnett while searching a website called Instant Encore. I felt that his music would be delightful to share with our audience. I particularly enjoy hearing the contrasting styles of these two selections. He has an obvious command of a diverse musical vocabulary.
Libby Larsen -“Ancient Places” – Libby Larsen is one of the most brilliant, delightful persons which I ever met. Three of her compositions have been played by the FVS since 1985. Her music is full of grand and clear ideas, just as she is. By the way, make sure that you wish her happy birthday on Christmas Eve.
The deadline for casting your vote is noon on Monday, December 5. It's going to be hard to make this decision. Now you know why we are making YOU do it!
Thanks for your help!
Thanks for joining us this month for our "Meet the Musicians" series. We still have a lot to tell you and many fine musicians to share their stories. We will be continuing the series as the season progresses, so be sure to check back for more!
Yuliya Smead - Concertmaster
Dr. Yuliya Smead began playing the violin over 30 years ago and has been an orchestral player for 25 of those years. She currently holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and DMA in music performance and has established an extensive studio in the Fox Valley area. Her most memorable musical moment is having the opportunity to play in the same concert with Gidon Kremer, renowned Latvian violinist and conductor.
During her free time, Dr. Smead enjoys reading, cooking, and gardening. Some of her favorite places to visit include the Green Bay Botanical Gardens and Far East restaurant in Appleton. Dr. Smead enjoys sushi, movies starring Meryl Streep, and books written by Anatole France, Vladimir Nabokov, and Leo Tolstoy.
Carrie Willer - Cello
Chair Sponsored by Dick & Carolyn Jones
Dr. Carrie Willer began her cello studies in 3rd grade at Franklin Elementary School in Appleton, Wisconsin and eventually began studying through the Lawrence Academy of Music. Having studied cello performance at UW Madison, Dr. Willer now teaches cello lessons at the Lawrence Academy of Music and enjoys playing in the local orchestras and for special events. Dr. Willer recalls her most memorable musical moment to be Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet, during which “snow” fell into the orchestra pit to close out the first act.
Dr. Willer is the principal at Franklin Elementary School and loves to work with students and families. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, spending time with her family and St. Bernard, Lilly Belle, and vacationing on Mackinac Island. Dr. Willer likes going to the movies and enjoys Chinese food and reading her favorite book, “Tuesdays With Morrie”. Her favorite restaurant in the Fox Valley is Mark’s Eastside.
Happy Thanksgiving week!
But we don't have to wait for a holiday to count our blessing; we are thankful for our musicians every day!
This fine group is made up of skilled and professional musicians from the Fox Valley and central Wisconsin. Our auditioned members are the same people you see on stage at all our concerts and they make up the sound and personality of the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra. These same people have been performing as an ensemble for many years and it is reflected in the quality of the performances you hear.
But there is a lot you don't know about our musicians! This month we are going to highlight our orchestra members; the people who truly deserve a standing ovation! Check back every Tuesday to meet our featured musicians.
Elizabeth Olson - Third horn
Chair Sponsors Jon & Becky Stellmacher
Elizabeth Olson has been 3rd horn with the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra since 2008. After earning her Master’s degree in French Horn Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, she was a member of Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
Elizabeth currently is the Program Coordinator for the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra and also a member of the Wisconsin Philharmonic and Wisconsin Wind Orchestra.
Additionally, Elizabeth has performed with the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra (WI), Bel Canto Chorus Orchestra of Milwaukee (WI), Green Bay Symphony Orchestra (WI), Festival City Symphony Orchestra (WI), Racine Symphony Orchestra (WI), Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra (WI), Water City Chamber Orchestra (WI), Manitowoc Symphony Orchestra (WI), and has been an associate member of the New World Symphony (FL).
As an educator, Elizabeth has taught at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, Waukesha County Conservatory of Music, Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, Birch Creek Music Performance Center, and currently maintains an active horn studio at her home in Whitefish Bay, WI.
In her free time, Liz may be found playing on a USTA tennis league, golfing, and paddling down rivers in the canoe with her husband.
Chris Zello - Principal Clarinet
Chair Sponsors Will & Ruth Bloedow
A graduate of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and DePaul University, Christopher Zello has been a member of the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra since 1994. He has also worked in woodwind instrument repair and has taught private clarinet lessons.
Chris is currently a member of the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra and the Wisconsin Philharmonic and recalls the Tanglewood music festival in Boston to be his most memorable musical experience.
When he isn’t studying for his elementary education teaching certification, Chris enjoys spending time with his family, taking long bike rides and vacationing anywhere there is a lake for swimming.
The Fox Valley Symphony has a lot to celebrate! This is our 45th Anniversary season and our artistic growth is now gaining national recognition.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of our musicians! This fine group is made up of skilled and professional musicians from the Fox Valley and central Wisconsin. Our auditioned members are the same people you see on stage at all our concerts and they make up the sound and personality of the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra. These same people have been performing as an ensemble for many years and it is reflected in the quality of the performances you hear.
But there is a lot you don't know about our musicians! This month we are going to highlight our orchestra members; the people who truly deserve a standing ovation! Check back every Tuesday to meet our featured musicians.
Nancy L. Kaphaem - Cello
Chair Sponsors Rod & Jane Chaganos
Nancy Kaphaem is a graduate of UW Oshkosh through which she earned a Bachelor of Music degree. From there, she went on to earn a Master of Music with a Suzuki Cello Pedagogy Emphasis from Western Illinois University. Nancy performs extensively with the local symphonies of Fox Valley, Green Bay, Oshkosh, and Manitowoc.
Nancy has been greatly influenced by the Alexander Technique, a movement study and awareness in activity. She states that combination of logic and ease of physical movement with cello technique, taught by Barbara Conable, greatly influences the way she performs and teaches. Since 1990, Nancy has taught private and group classes through the Oshkosh Suzuki Music Program and at UW Oshkosh’s String Camp, with ad-hoc college teaching of classes at UW Oshkosh and Marian University.
One of Nancy’s most memorable musical moments is her tour with NYC pianist Katie Reimer in a chamber music tour group playing the music of Bach and the young, living composer Mohammed Fairouz during the summer of 2010. This experience to her proved to be a wonderful combination of great music making and growing friendships. Nancy also really enjoys performing in chamber music benefit concerts as well.
In addition to performing and teaching professionally, Nancy also plays improvisational cello in her church’s praise band. She also plays in the bell choir and sings in the choir her husband directs.
In her leisure time, Nancy likes spending time with family and friends, whether at barbeques, playing card games, or during other outdoor activities. She enjoys well-made modern movies and TV series and also classic movies from the 40’s and 50’s. Some of her favorite restaurants in the Fox Valley include Taste of Thai, Sai Ram, Harmony Café, Machine Shed, Stuc’s Pizza, Koreana, and Good Company.
One of Nancy’s most inspirational quotes comes from Shinichi Suzuki. In response to a father asking him to teach his son a little violin, Suzuki replied, “I don’t teach a little violin”. To Nancy this reinforces her belief in putting our whole selves into that which we enjoy most.
Jennifer Hodges Bryan - Principal Oboe
Chair Sponsored in Honor of Leland D. Ester
Jennifer Hodges Bryan has been playing the English horn and oboe for 24 years and has also been playing violin for 30 years. Bryan graduated from Lawrence University with a Bachelor of Arts in oboe performance, studying under Professor Howard Niblock.
Jennifer played with Oshkosh Symphony, Green Lake Festival Choir, Waukesha Symphony, Appleton Boy choir, White Heron Chorale, Dudley Birder Chorale (St. Norbert College), and PAC shows and is also playing with Manitowoc Symphony and Wisconsin Symphonic Winds.
Her most memorable musical moment was winning the principal oboe job with the Fox Valley Symphony.
Jennifer is a stay at home mom with her daughters and her dog. Her idea of a perfect weekend is 80 degree weather, going biking, taking the dog for a walk, making reeds for 3 hours, practicing for a couple of hours, having playtime with each of her kids, and sitting outside eating ice cream after supper.
She told us the older she gets, the more she loves to play oboe and perform.
The Fox Valley Symphony has a lot to celebrate! This is our 45th Anniversary season and our artistic growth is now gaining national recognition.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of our musicians! This fine group is made up of skilled and professional musicians from the Fox Valley and central Wisconsin. Our auditioned members are the same people you see on stage at all our concerts and they make up the sound and personality of the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra. These same people have been performing as an ensemble for many years and it is reflected in the quality of the performances you hear.
But there is a lot you don't know about our musicians! This month we are going to highlight our orchestra members; the people who truly deserve a standing ovation! Check back every Tuesday to meet our featured musicians.
Janet Bond Sutter - First Violin
Chair Sponsored by Phillip & Patricia Snyder
Dr. Janet Bond Sutter, daughter of a M.D. and professional pianist, grew up in rural Indiana and began her musical journey at age 5 when she began taking piano lessons. After taking up violin at age 8, she began clarinet in high school and while getting her Bachelor’s in Music Education at Indiana University, she also began playing the viola. Janet received a Master of Music in violin from the University of Michigan and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Memphis.
Janet has played professionally around the U.S. and Europe for symphonies such as the Memphis Symphony, Arkansas Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, Peninsula Music Festival in Door County, and the Symphonic Orchestra of Berlin (Germany). She has also done much miscellaneous free-lance work for touring shows and chamber music engagements, such as “The Spectrum” Chamber Music Society in Fort Worth, Texas.
During the day, Janet keeps busy as a teacher for the Lawrence Academy of Music, conductor of the Academy String Orchestra (ASTRO), and as librarian for the Fox Valley Symphony.
In her leisure time, Janet enjoys gardening, sewing, knitting, and reading. For vacationing, she visits Yellowstone National Park, the Black Hills and explores Wisconsin with her husband, Tom, a local attorney and “Picture This” gallery proprietor and presenter. Janet has two sons, Steven and Stuart.
Paul Ristau - Timpani
Chair sponsored by Judy Merritt
With 45 years of experience as a timpanist and drummer, some of Paul’s recent performances include those with the Peninsula Music Festival, Green Bay Symphony, Green Bay Packers Band, River City Six and many other small-group ensembles. One of Paul’s most memorable musical moments is performing on national television in Torino, Italy with the RAI Orchestra. This pops concert featured Dizzy Gillespie and his Quintet and afterwards, he and the other members were able to mingle with these “musical heroes” during the after-party.
During the day, Paul works as the Vice President of Employment Resource Group where he recruits and works in the energy, power, utility, and renewable markets. For fun, Paul enjoys boating, bicycling, spending time as his home in Door County, vacationing in Maui, and spending time with his wife who, as Paul states, has made him the luckiest guy on the planet.
To Paul, the most inspirational person in his life is his former professor at Indiana University, George Gaber, who taught him how to make music and hone his craft as a Timpanist.
Today's spotlight hits our third Phantom, Brad Little. No stranger to the mask, Brad played the role of the Phantom in theaters across America, on Broadway and in Asia.
"Playing the role is always an honor," says Little. "Never have I found a role that I could do time and time again. Maybe that's why I've played the role over 2,100 times. Being dyslexic I feel like I have something to relate to when it comes to the Phantom's feeling about being shunned and misunderstood. The music is a joy to sing and act. I wish everyone had the chance to play the role so they can understand how exhilarating it is."
His Broadway and National credits include the Lincoln Center production of Anything Goes in which he played the role of Billy Crocker. Regional theaters enjoyed him as the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, Erik in Phantom at Tennessee Rep and Che in Evita at Bristol Riverside Theatre where he won Philadelphia’s Barrymore Award for best actor in a musical. His international tours include Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, and Tony in West Side Story.
Little performed with the orchestras of Oregon, Seattle, Indianapolis, Des Moines, Cincinnati Pops, with Marvin Hamlisch with the Pittsburgh and National Symphony orchestras and the Orchestra Symphonic of Brazil and Rio de Janeiro.
He is also the recipient of Broadway League's 2008 Touring Broadway Achievement Award.
Little says, "I think the reason Broadway music speaks to so many is because of the stories that comes out of the music. When singing broadway show tunes, I focus on the lyrics. I want the people to feel the music, not just hear it."
This Saturday you will hear Brad Little and fellow Phantoms Craig Schulman and Ted Keegan perform with the Fox Valley Symphony. Brad will highlight pieces from Jubilee, Camelot, And the World Goes Round and Phantom.
The concert starts at 7:30pm this Saturday, October 29, at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. Tickets are available from $19 to $49 and student tickets are just $10 day of concert.
Fans can learn more about Brad Little at http://www.bradlittle.com/.
Following a very successful run in the Broadway Company, our guest artist Ted Keegan starred in the National Tour of The Phantom of the Opera, performing the role in 24 States across the country. He sang the role in front of the largest live audience ever at Madison Square Garden singing “The Phantom of the Opera” during the half-time show of the NBA All-Star Game.
"When Phantom first opened on Broadway, I was in college," says Keegan. "The show was such a huge success and I wanted to be a part of it. I was studying music and getting a degree in vocal performance with an Opera emphasis. So, Phantom was the ideal show! It was based in an opera house, the score itself is through-composed. There is no real dialogue and everything has music underneath it. The Phantom himself is a music teacher and feels music is one of the most precious gifts, as I do. So, when the opportunity manifested itself 7 years later, I was thrilled. It has been an amazing experience, being involved in one of the most well known shows ever produced."
Ted made his Broadway debut in the highly acclaimed 1989 revival of Sweeney Todd. Broadway and National Tour credits include Cyrano: The Musical, Mordred in Camelot with Robert Goulet and starred in the European Tour of the Arthur Kopit/Maury Yeston version of Phantom.
"I think one reason Broadway music is so dear to us all," says Ted, "is because it is accessible. Music Theater is much more for the masses. Young and old of any background can go to the theater and each have an amazing experience. The music takes you on a journey and later, just hearing a song can take you back to the whole experience. One song from a Broadway show brings back memories of the entire show. When you take your favorite book and add music to it, the experience is multiplied ten fold. What musical theater allows us to do is escape our lives – come into a theater and be taken away to a different place and time, with our senses heightened by the addition of music. So, hearing a familiar song from a show, allows us the chance to “steal away” for a few
moments; escape our lives and be transported. Boy, do I enjoy being a part of that world!"
Ted has performed with the Detroit, Syracuse, Seattle, Edmonton, Portland, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, Baltimore, and Las Vegas as well as the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center.
Ted will be performing this weekend with the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra and fellow Phantoms Craig Schulman and Brad Little. The show starts at 7:30pm at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center.
You'll hear Ted sing classics from My Fair Lady, Kiss Me Kate, and of course, Phantom of the Opera.
Tickets are available from $19 to $49 and student tickets are just $10 day of concert.
Fans can learn more about Ted at www.tedkeegan.com.