Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra News Releases

Ready to lead: Sheboygan Symphony announces its 2010-11 season lineup

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:50:00 -0700

The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra has announced its lineup for its 2010-11 season, the first undertaken by new music director and conductor, Kevin McMahon.

"The start of my tenure with the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra fills me with excitement, joy and the promise of years of service to the symphony family and the community," McMahon said. "I am also thrilled about the exciting season filled with wonderful music and talented guest artists that the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra is poised to offer to our patrons."

Opening Night with Kevin McMahon

Saturday, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m.

McMahon's first concert features Gabrieli's Canzon "Septimi Toni No. 2" and Sibelius' Symphony No. 5 in E flat major. Arutunian's "Trumpet Concerto" will spotlight the talents of guest artist John Urness.

Urness, a Plymouth native, has been principal trumpet of the State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra (OSEM) in Toluca, Mexico, since 1997. The OSEM presents more than 80 concerts each year in the Mexico City area and on tours to China, Germany, Spain, France and Poland.

A well-traveled musician, Urness has performed with the Royal Philharmonic of London and the Israel Philharmonic, holds a master's degree in music from Rice University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

A Night at the Movies with Rich Ridenour

Saturday, Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m.

Patrons will experience both sides of Ridenour as they enjoy some of the greatest movie scores of all time, including the theme from "Peter Gunn," "The Pink Panther" theme and "Ghost Busters."

"Sheboygan is one of my favorite places to visit," Ridenour said. " It all began about 10 years ago when I was called in at the last minute to perform Concerto in F with the Sheboygan Symphony because a scheduled pianist had canceled. At the time I had not yet performed Concerto in F and had two weeks to learn it. It was a great challenge and turned out to be a rewarding experience to perform with an outstanding, warm orchestra. Since the November concert features a movie theme, I would enjoy revisiting the last movement of Gershwin's Concerto in F since it comes from the great film, "American in Paris."

Other selections Ridenour will be performing are Addinsell's "Warsaw Concerto" from "Dangerous Moonlight" and "Brazil" from "The Eddie Duchin Story."

"There will be many surprises because I plan time for requests that I poll in the lobby at intermission," Ridenour said.

Celebrate Mahler's 150th Birthday

Saturday, Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m.

As a tribute to Mahler's 150th birthday, the Sheboygan Symphony's midwinter concert features Mahler's majestic Symphony No. 4 in G major. The orchestra also will present Weber's widely performed "Concertino."

Soprano Joelle Barrett will be featured in the last movement in the song, "Das himmlische Leben," which presents a child's vision of heaven. Weber's "Concertino" will spotlight Matthew Griffith on an extremely challenging work for the clarinet.

Barrett is an instructor of music education and voice at Lakeland College and teaches music at Howards Grove Elementary School. A former member of numerous choral ensembles, including the Chicago Symphony Chorus and Elgin Choral Union, Barrett received her bachelor's degree from Millikin University.

Griffith is co-principal clarinet of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Senior Symphony, Chamber Orchestra and first chair of the UW-Milwaukee Youth Wind Ensemble. A former student of Dr. Jill Hanes and Todd Levy, Griffith received two exemplary soloist awards at the Wisconsin State Music Association Festival.

Classical Collaborations

Saturday, March 12, 7:30 p.m.

Deeply inspiring, this purely traditional concert features several of the great classical works of the masters. Enjoy Rachmaninoff's "Symphonic Dances," Saint-Saens's Concerto No. 2 and Tchaikovsky's "Andante Cantabile." Cellist Parry Karp's mastery will enhance the performance of "Andante Cantabile."

Karp is artist-in residence, professor of chamber music and director of the string chamber music program at UW-Madison. He has been cellist of the Pro Arte Quartet for the past 34 years, during which time he has performed more than 1,000 concerts throughout North, Central and South America, Europe and Japan, and recorded six solo CDs.

The Last Work of the Master

Saturday, May 14, 7:30 p.m.

The final concert of McMahon's inaugural season focuses on the last work of Mozart. The Sheboygan Symphony Chorus joins the orchestra for a production by one of the great composers of all time.

Janet L. Herrick, chorus conductor, said, "This wonderful piece full of intimate beauty and stirring passion is a favorite of choruses around the world. We all love singing Mozart's 'Requiem.' The unique circumstances surrounding the completion of the work only adds to its drama. I'm thrilled to be able to prepare this work with the chorus for a second time and experience once again the genius of a great master as he stared death in the face."

Christmas Treasures

Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010, 7:30 p.m.

The Sheboygan Symphony's holiday tradition, "Christmas Treasures," will delight all ages with holiday favorites. The orchestra will be joined by the Sheboygan Symphony Chorus.

Some of the popular holiday musical selections will be "Gloria" by Bass, "The Holly and the Ivy" by Arnold/Palmer, "Carol of the Drums" by Davis, "Ave Maria" by Schubert/Luck, "I'll Be Home for Christmas" by Kent/Hayes and "Gesu Bambino" by Baron.

New Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra conductor eager to help musicians spread their wings

Tue, 11 May 2010 08:23:00 -0700

New Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra conductor eager to help musicians spread their wings

The Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts was empty the day Kevin McMahon, the new conductor of the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra, met for an interview to share his dreams and goals for the future of the organization.

He sat in the plush ruby seats, with the stars in the royal blue ceiling glowing overhead, and looked toward the stage, remembering when he was a guest conductor last October.

It's an evening he won't forget anytime soon.

"I'm very emotional about this," he said quietly. "It's the thought of the music with these people and this audience. When I guested, I tried to make it clear to the orchestra that I was invested in their life."

McMahon, who didn't set out to be a conductor, nonetheless found himself wielding a baton as his career unfolded, and realized that being a conductor allowed him to lead in a very special way.

"I'm a person who believes in servant leadership, and along with that, part of my task in Sheboygan will be listening to what people need, where they want this orchestra to go, what their dreams are for it," he said. "I need to be a facilitator to help them to do that."

The thought of serving keeps him on task — he's guest-conducted in places like the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Greece and is intimately familiar with the works of Puccini, Mozart, Verdi and Donizetti.

Something in Sheboygan called to him upon arrival.

"There was a certain aspect of qualities in the orchestra that are qualities within me that were mirrored when we worked together," he said. "What you have going in Sheboygan is something very special."

McMahon called the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra family "a complete entity." From the orchestra itself to the carolers, chorus, singers and Youth Symphony groups, he was impressed with the talent.

Still, it's his job to harness and direct much of that talent, creating opportunities for both the musical growth of each orchestra member as well as participating in the overall success of the organization. And he's impressed with the next season's lineup — Rich Ridenour and Matthew Griffith will perform, and selections like Mahler's 4th Symphony round out "an incredible parameter of music."

He's putting his own stamp on things, saying he comes with "a certain standard of operation. My standard will hopefully help other people be able to work easier."

Jill Hanes, Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra principal clarinet and personnel manager, noticed McMahon's style during rehearsal, saying his preparation and organizational skills resulted in an efficient practice session.

"It was clear to all of the players that (McMahon) is not just a conductor, but also a music scholar who had taken the time to study each piece of music we played," she said.

McMahon's preparation came through in another way, as Hanes noted his baton gestures and facial expressions.

"(They) were a reflection of this study and the joy and emotion he felt in each piece, which made it very clear to know exactly what he wanted from us."

When asked how he planned on encouraging the orchestra to stretch their musical wings, McMahon laughed and said, "I don't think they need my encouragement to do that. I just think they need me as a facilitator to allow them to stretch. I'll be the avenue to hopefully set them free for their music to speak the easiest way it possibly can."

His philosophy of the conductor's job is one of examining the composer's score, internalizing it and reflecting the ideas and emotions of the piece back to the orchestra, allowing them to play it with a full intent.

"You really shouldn't see me, actually," he said. "What you should see is the orchestra and you should hear what they're mirroring."

He also considers himself part of the orchestra, demonstrating that to Eric Johnson, managing director, on the evening McMahon guest-conducted.

"At the end of the concert, not only did he acknowledge the soloist and then the orchestra, but he stepped in between some of the strings and took his bow with the orchestra," Johnson said. "He didn't put himself above them, but as a colleague. The music came first."

When McMahon isn't traveling a musical wave around the globe, guest conducting, studying and performing, he indulges his interest in opera. To date, he has written two — "Marilyn Monroe" and "Maud Powell: Queen of Violinists," created specifically for the Maud Powell Music Festival.

For his Sheboygan debut as conductor on Oct. 9, McMahon has chosen Beethoven's "Consecration of the House" and the Copland film music to "Our Town" — to tell the audience that "this is our town."

The selection committee chose Sibelius' 5th Symphony as the main work for that evening. John Urness will perform the "Arutunian" Trumpet Concerto and McMahon wrote an orchestration of a Brahms intermezzo that will be performed for the first time.

"You should know that I view this experience of being asked to be with these people as an incredible gift," McMahon said.

He said that with each performance, musical "highways" of information are created between the conductor and the orchestra.

"That, then, reflects to the audience and gives them the spirit of what is in the composer's heart and soul and mind. That's why I was attracted to being here, because this orchestra has, inside itself, the ability to speak through their music and to give even more to the audience than they've given in the past. They can do it."

Sheboygan Symphony tuning up for bright lights of Broadway

Mon, 03 May 2010 12:59:00 -0700

Sheboygan Symphony tuning up for bright lights of Broadway

The sounds of Broadway will fill the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts when the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra takes the stage Saturday, May 8.

The 7:30 p.m. concert, which will showcase the symphony orchestra and chorus, will include selections from some all-time favorite musicals, such as "Babes in Arms," "The Sound of Music," "Guys and Dolls," "My Fair Lady," "Oliver," "The Music Man," "West Side Story," "Pippin," "A Chorus Line," "Tommy," " Rent" and "Les Miserables."

The orchestra will be under the direction of guest conductor Richard Carsey. The chorus is under the direction of Janet L. Herrick, professor of music at Lakeland College. The 100-plus-voice Sheboygan Symphony Chorus will perform with numerous soloists.

Herrick added, "The Broadway concert features a program the Symphony Chorus members really love. I'm so pleased that 16 of our chorus members will be featured as soloists. Several dancers will perform to 'I Could Have Danced All Night' from 'My Fair Lady' and 'One' from 'A Chorus Line.' Narration by chorus member Charlie Krebs will guide us through more than 80 years of American musical theater."

Guest conductor Carsey enjoys a varied career as a conductor, pianist, orchestrator and actor. A native of Omaha, Carsey holds a bachelor' degree in piano from the University of Louisville and a master's degree in piano from Indiana University. He is principal conductor of the Skylight Opera Theatre in Milwaukee and pops conductor with the Racine Symphony Orchestra. He works frequently as music director and conductor in other regional theaters and opera companies, including Lyric Opera Cleveland, Florida State Opera and the Liceu Opera in Barcelona, Spain.

In addition, the new music director of the orchestra will be introduced during the concert. Four candidates for the job had been guest conductors during the symphony season.

Carsey described the music chosen for this concert as an eclectic mix, covering classics by Gershwin and Jerome Kern to more contemporary titles like "Rent."

"This mixture allows us to not only explore a wide variety of styles, but also to show the versatility of the orchestra and chorus," Carsey said. "There will be orchestral pieces, pieces for choir and orchestra and vocal solos on the program — a tapestry of voices and sounds to demonstrate the depth and vitality of music that has been written for the American stage."

Shall we dance?

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:18:00 -0700

Shall we dance?
Movers & Shakers Gala announces 2010 celebrity lineup

The style and elegance. The glitz and glamour. The Movers & Shakers Gala is back for 2010.

A group of Sheboygan County "celebrities" will show off their best dance moves to raise money for local charities and nonprofit organizations as part of the Movers & Shakers Gala, a benefit for Lakeland College and the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra.

Guests are invited to a star-studded night Saturday, May 22, when the Lakeland Todd Wehr Center is once again transformed into a beautiful ballroom, including wall-to-wall carpeting, a massive lighting setup and huge video screens to provide the who's who of Sheboygan County a lush stage to showcase their best moves.

In its first two years, the event has become a hot ticket, raising more than $650,000 to benefit Lakeland College, the symphony, Lakeland's Malawi Teacher Education Program and nine nonprofit organizations in the community. Again this year, proceeds will benefit Lakeland, the Sheboygan Symphony and a charity or nonprofit organization selected by each of the dancers.

Major sponsors of this year's gala are the Frank G. and Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation and Sargento Foods Inc.

The celebrities making up the 2010 Movers & Shakers lineup include:

>Susan Bemis, a Sheboygan native and long-time employee at Bemis Manufacturing, where she is involved in new process and material technology development, will perform the cha-cha. Votes for Bemis also will benefit Camp Anokijig.

>Jonathan Brotz, materials production supervisor at Plastics Engineering Co., will perform the Viennese waltz. Votes for Brotz also will benefit the Sheboygan Christian School Scholarship Fund.

>Paula Gentine, a member of the St. John the Baptist Church school board and a community volunteer, will perform the salsa. Votes for Gentine also will benefit the Family Resource Center in Plymouth.

>Kazuko Hirota, who is involved in management at the Lakeland College Japan campus and has worked in international education for two decades, will perform the Latin showcase dance "Fragrance of Japan." Votes for Hirota also will benefit the Lakeland College Japan campus.

>Arthur Perry, an active community leader and volunteer for more than 50 years, will perform the waltz. Votes for Perry also will benefit the Weill Center Endowment.

>Wally Waldhart, vice president of sales and communications at Acuity and an active community volunteer, will perform the American tango. Votes for Waldhart also will benefit Safe Harbor and Theatre for Young Audiences.

>Deborah Wente, an active community businessperson and volunteer and the chair of the Movers & Shakers organizing committee, will perform the fox trot. Votes for Wente also will benefit PCS Partners Seeking a Cure.

You don't have to attend the event to help support the charities. Anyone can purchase votes, at $20 each, for their favorite dancer prior to the event at the Movers & Shakers Web site, moversandshakersgala.org. These causes and charities will receive 50 percent of the proceeds raised from the votes for each dancer on their behalf, so you can vote early and often.

Each celebrity has been paired with a professional dancer and are in the midst of months of training before they compete to win the support of three professional judges, a guest judge and what's expected to be another sell-out crowd.

"The Movers & Shakers Gala has quickly evolved into one of the area's most anticipated events," said Wente, a member of the Lakeland Board of Trustees. "Our goal is putting together a unique experience for our guests, and the feedback we've received is that we always exceed people's expectations.

"This is truly a community effort. There are over 150 volunteers who give of their time and talents, local 'celebrities' entertain our guests with their stylish dancing and local companies give financially to support the event," Wente said.

"Lakeland College and the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra are two longstanding organizations in this community with a shared vision of enriching the lives of individuals and families living here. They are resources that help make this a great place to live."

William TeWinkle, a partner in the Sheboygan law firm Rhode Dales and a fixture in community theater, will serve as host and auctioneer for the evening.

Again this year, one guest will really make their vote count by being the high bidder for a seat at the professional judges table. The opportunity for a guest to "Be a Judge" will be the first live auction item of the night. The judges' scores count for 25 percent of the final results.

Todd Williams will make his debut as a professional judge this year, joining returning judges Sandi Vasatka and Jessica Mueller. Williams, the owner of Extreme All Star Dance, teaches at Sheboygan South High School and has coached high school cheer and dance for the past 17 years.

The dinner menu, prepared by Lakeland's Dining Services staff, will feature asiago-and-spinach-stuffed beef tenderloin and grilled mahi mahi with sundried tomato salsa, a salad with yellow and red grape tomaatoes, roasted fennel, arugula and fresh greens topped with a cilantro and lime vinaigrette and pecorino pepato cheese. Dessert will be a warm chocolate molten cake with fresh raspberries and creme anglaise.

Following the competition, the dance floor will be open to all guests and The Temperaments will provide music for the remainder of the evening.

Tickets are selling quickly, but a limited number of seats are available. Front-row tables seating 10 people can be purchased for $5,000, while other tables of 10 are $2,000. Individual tickets are $200 each.

For tickets, call (920) 565-1014 or go online at moversandshakersgala.org.

There are a number of volunteer opportunities open to the community for those who want to get behind the scenes and help make this evening possible. More information is available at moversandshakersgala.org/volunteer.

Movers & Shakers Gala Announces 2010 Celebrity Lineup

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:32:00 -0800

Event benefits Lakeland College, The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra, local charities

The style and elegance, the glitz and glamour - the Movers & Shakers Gala is back for 2010.

A group of Sheboygan County "celebrities" will show off their best dance moves to raise money for local charities and nonprofit organizations as part of the Movers & Shakers Gala, a benefit for Lakeland College and The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra.

Guests are invited to watch this year's dancers gather on Saturday, May 22, at Lakeland for a star-studded night that will see the college's Todd Wehr Center once again transformed into a beautiful ballroom, including wall-to-wall carpeting, a massive lighting setup and huge video screens to provide the who's who of Sheboygan County a lush stage to showcase their best moves.

In its first two years, this event has become a hot ticket and has raised over $650,000 to benefit Lakeland College, The SSO, Lakeland's Malawi Teacher Education Program and nine non-profit organizations in our community. Major sponsors of this year's Gala are the Frank G. and Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation and Sargento Foods Inc.

Again this year, proceeds will benefit Lakeland, the SSO and a charity or nonprofit organization selected by each of the dancers.

The celebrities making up the 2010 Movers & Shakers lineup include:

Susan Bemis, a Sheboygan native and long-time employee at Bemis Manufacturing where she is involved in new process and material technology development, will perform the cha-cha. Votes for Bemis will also benefit Camp Anokijig.

Johnathan Brotz, materials production supervisor at Plastics Engineering Company, will perform the Viennese waltz. Votes for Brotz will also benefit the Sheboygan Christian School Scholarship Fund.

Paula Gentine, a member of the St. John the Baptist Church school board and a community volunteer, will perform the salsa. Votes for Gentine will also benefit the Family Resource Center in Plymouth.

Kazuko Hirota, who is involved in management at the Lakeland College Japan campus and has worked in international education for two decades, will perform the Latin showcase dance "Fragrance of Japan." Votes for Hirota will also benefit the Lakeland College Japan campus.

Arthur Perry, an active community leader and volunteer for over 50 years, will perform the waltz. Votes for Perry will also benefit the Weill Center Endowment.

Wally Waldhart, vice president of sales and communications at ACUITY and an active community volunteer, will perform the American tango. Votes for Waldhart will also benefit Safe Harbor and the Theatre for Young Audiences.

Deborah Wente, an active community businessperson and volunteer and the chair of the Movers & Shakers organizing committee, will perform the fox trot. Votes for Wente will also benefit PSC Partners Seeking a Cure.

You don't have to attend the event to help support the charities. Anyone can purchase votes, at $20 each, for their favorite dancer prior to the event at the Movers & Shakers web site, moversandshakersgala.org. These causes and charities will receive 50 percent of the proceeds raised from the votes for each dancer on their behalf, so vote early and often.

The celebrities have been paired with a professional dancer, and are in the midst of months of training before they compete to win the support of three professional judges, one guest judge and what's expected to be another sell-out crowd.

"The Movers & Shakers Gala has quickly evolved into one of the area's most anticipated events," said Wente, a member of the Lakeland Board of Trustees. "Our goal is putting together a unique experience for our guests, and the feedback we've received is that we always exceed people's expectations.

"This is truly a community effort. There are over 150 volunteers who give of their time and talents, local 'celebrities' entertain our guests with their stylish dancing and local companies give financially to support the event," Wente said.

"Lakeland College and The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra are two longstanding organizations in this community with a shared vision of enriching the lives of individuals and families living here. They are resources that help make this a great place to live."

William TeWinkle, a partner in the Sheboygan law firm Rhode Dales and a fixture in community theatre, will serve as host and auctioneer for the evening.

Again this year, one guest will really make their vote count by being the high bidder for a seat at the professional judges table. The opportunity for a guest to "Be a Judge" will be the first live auction item of the night. The judges' scores count for 25 percent of the final results.

Todd Williams will make his debut as a professional judge this year, joining returning judges Sandi Vasatka and Jessica Mueller. Williams, the owner of Extreme All Star Dance, LLC, teaches at Sheboygan South High School and has coached high school cheer and dance for the past 17 years.

The mouthwatering menu, prepared by Lakeland's Dining Services staff, will feature asiago and spinach stuffed beef tenderloin and grilled mahi mahi with sundried tomato salsa, a salad with yellow and red grape tomatoes, roasted fennel, arugula and fresh greens topped with a cilantro and lime vinaigrette and pecorino pepato cheese. Dessert will be a warm chocolate molten cake with fresh raspberries and crème anglaise.

Following the competition, the dance floor will be open to all guests and The Temperaments will provide music for the remainder of the evening.

Due to the overwhelming success of this event, tickets are selling quickly, but a limited number of seats are available. Front-row tables seating 10 people can be purchased for $5,000, while other tables of 10 are $2,000. Individual tickets are $200 each.

For tickets, call (920) 565-1014 or go online at moversandshakersgala.org.

There are a number of volunteer opportunities open to the community, if you want to get behind the scenes and help make this evening possible. More information is available at moversandshakersgala.org/volunteer.

Final candidate for Sheboygan Symphony director to lead concert of Russian music

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:13:00 -0800

Jeffrey Stirling, the fourth and final conductor vying for the position of music director of the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra, will conduct the 7:30 p.m., concert Saturday, March 13 at the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts.

"I am really looking forward to conducting the Sheboygan Symphony in a program of all-Russian music on the beautiful stage of the Weill Center," Stirling said. "The second two musical selections planned by the symphony featured Russian composers. As a result, I selected Kabalevsky's "Colas Breugnon" Overture for my Conductor's Choice to give our audience an exciting tour of Russian symphonic music from its beginnings in the 19th century up to the recent Soviet era."

"Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 2 op. 17 in C minor, draws its melodic inspiration from the rich well of Russian folk music," Stirling said. "Alexander Glazunov's Violin Concerto, op. 82 in A minor, featuring Jeanyi Kim from the Milwaukee Symphony, is a splendid example of the integration of the Russian creative spirit with imported European musical traditions.

"In Kabalevsky's 'Colas Breugnon' Overture, we hear the instrumental brilliance and high polish of a Soviet-era composer trying to assert his individual creative voice while trying to fulfill the central government's unbending demand for "politically correct" musical speech - a demand that could too easily become a matter of life and death."

Stirling, a New Jersey native who currently lives in St. Paul, Minn., has led concerts and opera performances across North America and Europe. He is the music director of the Saint Paul Civic Symphony and the Northeast Orchestra. He has been a cover conductor for the Minnesota Orchestra and appeared as a guest conductor with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Bemidji Symphony, Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, Skylark Opera, Dorian Opera and other regional ensembles.

Stirling holds a bachelor's degree from Yale and a master's and doctorate from Northestern University. He pursued advanced studies at the Paris Conservatory and has participated in conducting programs at the Tanglewood music festival, Salzburg music festivals and the Fontaine-bleau School. In 2001, Stirling was one of the only 10 conductors chosen by Leonard Slatkin to take part in the National Conducting Institute at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Stirling's mentors have included Pierre Boulez, Slatkin, Seiji Ozawa, Victor Yampolsky and the late Charles Bruck.

A sought-after orchestra educator, Stirling has been a conductor with the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies since 2002, served as interim director of orchestral studies at the University of Minnesota and directed the orchestral programs at Luther College, Gustavus Adolphus College, the University of Northern Iowa and St. Cloud State University. He was a Visiting Artist at St. Olaf College and has been a guest instructor for the Chamber Music Association of the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.

The March concert also shines the spotlight on violinist Kim, associate concertmaster of the Milwaukee Symphony and concertmaster of the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra. She has served as a guest assistant concertmaster of the London Symphony.

Kim holds a doctor of musical arts degree from Yale University, where she also earned her bachelor and master's degrees.

The Toronto native has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Barbican Centre, Salle Pleyel and the Concertgebouw. Dedicated to teaching, she and her husband, Alexander Mandl, have been faculty members at the Eleazar de Carvalho International Music Festival in Brazil, and the Elm City ChamberFest. In addition to maintaining a private studio, she has served on the faculties at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, University of New Haven and Neighborhood Music School.

Music director candidate Laurino to lead Sheboygan Symphony in Feb. 6 concert

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:47:00 -0800

Music director candidate Laurino to lead Sheboygan Symphony in Feb. 6 concert

The third of four music director candidates for the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra, Pasquale Laurino of Chicago, will conduct the Saturday, Feb. 6 concert featuring Wagner's overture to "Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg"; Grondahl's Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra, featuring guest artist Megumi Kanda; and Brahms' Symphony No. 4, op. 98, in E minor.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts.

"To complement the existing program, I chose the Wagner 'Meistersinger' overture for several reasons," Laurino said. "I wanted a work that featured the entire ensemble with interesting and challenging parts for every instrument. I felt the opening piece should be in a major key given that the rest of the program is in the minor mode. Most importantly, I wanted to showcase the two greatest musical masters of the Romantic period, Brahms and Wagner.

"These two icons of music history could not be more different as men or musicians. Wagner was a man of the theater, writing the most profound music dramas in history, while Brahms had no interest in opera. Wagner was a man with infamous romantic liaisons, while Brahms remained faithful to his friendship with (Robert and Clara) Schumann and never married. Wagner wrote only one early symphony and never returned to the form, while Brahms became the worthy successor to Beethoven with his four symphonies. The contrast between these two musical giants has always fascinated me and I could not resist putting them on the same program."

Born in Brooklyn, Laurino was trained as a violinist and conductor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Indiana University. He serves as concertmaster for the Milwaukee Ballet, Northwest Indiana Symphony, DuPage Opera and the Chicago Chamber. He is faculty member of the Rocky Ridge Music Festival as the conductor and violinist. Laurino also is a guest conductor with L'Opera Piccola and Light Opera Works and plays baroque violin in Ars Antiqua and Haydn on the Lake.

He regularly conducts the Milwaukee Ballet in productions of "The Nutcracker" and was named associate conductor for the 2009-10 season. Other guest conducting work has been with th eMarion Philharmonic and Racine Symphony. He is a former member of L'Ensemble Portique. Laurino has participated in numerous festivals in Europe and the U.S., including the Macerata Opera and Festivale della Valle d'Itria in Italy and the Gent Opera Festival in Belgium.

The concert also will showcase guest artist Kanda, principal trombone of the Milwaukee Symphony and adjunct professor of trombone at UW-Milwaukee. A native of Tokyo, Kanda came to the U.S. in 1994 and received a bachelor's degree in music from the Cleveland Institute of Music, studying with James DeSano, principal trombone of the Cleveland Orchestra.

Sheboygan Symphony, Chorus and Lakeland choir to present Handel masterpiece

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:09:00 -0800

Sheboygan Symphony, Chorus and Lakeland choir to present Handel masterpiece - December 3, 2009

"Messiah," Handel's masterwork, will be performed by the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and the Lakeland College Concert Choir at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 12, at the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts.

Guest conductor Robert Harris, professor of conducting at Northwestern University, will lead the orchestra and chorus. The Symphony Chorus and Lakeland College Concert Choir are under the direction of Janet L. Herrick, professor of music at Lakeland College.

"Messiah" was composed in 1741, when Charles Jennens convinced Handel to create an oratorio based upon a compilation of Scriptures he had recently selected. Handel wrote the entire work in a 24-day spurt, from Aug. 22 until Sept. 14. Consistent with the format of oratorios, "Messiah" is divided into three parts, representing Christ's birth, death and resurrection; each section containing a series of choruses.

"This work is probably the best known in the choral/orchestral repertoire and certainly is one of the most loved," Harris said. "Although it is traditionally sung during the Christmas season, it is not a Christmas piece in that only about one-third of it deals with the Savior's birth. In fact, its first performance took place in April of 1741."

Herrick added, "Dr. Harris is our fourth "Messiah" conductor. Each has had a slightly different interpretation of the work while adhering to the performance practices of Baroque choral music. Within the first few minutes of the first rehearsal with Dr. Harris, the chorus was connected with him. I always look forward to the years the orchestra and chorus perform Messiah. Even after countless rehearsals and performances, there is always a new and wonderful moment to discover. Each performance is more fulfilling than the previous - our knowledge of the piece grows and our skill is one level better."

The audience will hear many of their favorite singers and will be introduced to a few new soloists. Soloists will be drawn from members of the Symphony Chorus and teh Lakeland College Concert Choir. This year, soloists include Joelle Barrett, Rebecca Charbonneau, Clarissa Dimel, Fred Hollander, Cody Linder, Shannon Meulbroek, Emily Rendall-Araujo, Timothy VanZeeland and Brittany Wierzbach.

A similar article was featured in the Tri-County News. You can view it by clicking here.

Second conductor finalist to lead Sheboygan Symphony and guest flutist Thomason-Redus

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:38:00 -0800

Second conductor finalist to lead Sheboygan Symphony and guest flutist Thomason-Redus. November 5, 2009.

Ronald Foster will raise the baton to continue a season of exploration for the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14 on the stage at the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts. Foster will be the second of four guest conductors vying for the position of music director and conductor of the orchestra.

"Having conducted the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra on two previous occasions, I am delighted to be a music director finalist," Foster said. "This orchestra is one of the finest community orchestras I have encountered and is a real jewel for the greater Sheboygan area. The passion and enthusiasm that the SSO musicians, administration, board and audiences bring to the music are wonderful examples of the positive power of arts in the community.

Each of the four finalist conductors has been invited to select a work for the orchestra, and Foster chose Barber's overture to "The School for Scandal."

"In selecting a piece to open the Nov. 14 concert, it was important to include an American work, to complement the European repertoire of Mozart's Concerto in D and Dvorak's Symphony No. 8, op. 88 in G minor. While I considered many pieces, from the beginning I had strong convictions about Samuel Barber's Overture to 'The School for Scandal.' Another plus is that the SSO has apparently never performed the piece."

Composed in 1931, when Barber was 21, the overture is a work full of youthful exuberance, romanticism and passion. Mozart composed his D major Flute Concerto at age 21, as well, so the concert's first half features two young geniuses, balanced with the symphony of an older master, Dvorak.

The program features music from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, and the Barber piece, written for larger forces, gives all of the symphony musicians the opportunity to perform at the concert."

Foster has been a frequent guest conductor with the Milwaukee Symphony and has served as guest conductor with the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Springs Symphony, South Carolina Philharmonic, Traverse Symphony, Sheboygan Symphony, Waukesha Symphony, Skokie Valley Symphony, Pueblo Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, Soundscapes Chamber Ensemble and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Orchestra.

Foster holds degrees from the University of Denver (master's in orchestral conducting/composition) and the University of Southern Colorado (bachelor's in music performance: woodwinds). He studied conducting with Harold Farberman, Vincent La Guardia and Daniel Lewis and composition with John Corigliano and Donald Keats.

The former chief composer for the United States Air Force Academy Band, Foster has been conductor and composoer with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's Arts in Community Education (ACE) Program since 1997 and guest composer with the Milwaukee Symphony in January 2000.

Special guest flutist, Caen Thomason-Redus, will bring his artistry to the Weill Center stage. Thomason-Redus is assistant professor of flute at UW-Milwaukee. He received performance degrees from Rice University and the University of Redlands and did additional studies at the University of Michigan and the Mozarteum Akademie in Salzburg, Austria. He is active with the National Flute Association, Early Music Now, the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra and several other arts organizations.

Opening Night - Sheboygan Symphony season begins Oct. 10

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0700

The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra's 91st season begins Saturday, Oct. 10, and patrons will be introduced to Kevin McMahon, the first of the four finalist candidates vying for the position of music director and conductor of the SSO.

"It is an honor and privilege to work with the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra," said McMahon, who will conduct the 7:30 pm performance at the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts.

McMahon is currently in his 11th year as music director and conductor of the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra. He also is resident conductor of the Rome (Italy) Festival and artistic director for the Maud Powell Music Festival. McMahon lives in LaSalle, Ill., and Madison.

McMahon has a bachelor's degree in violin performance and holds two master's degrees in orchestral and opera conducting and violin performance, all from the University of Michigan. He recently received a doctor of musical arts degree in conducting.

Each of the four finalist conductors was invited to select a work for the orchestra, allowing them to infuse their style into the evening's repertoire. McMahon selected Glazunov's "Autumn" from The Seasons.

"I chose this work for several reason," McMahon said. "It is appropriate to the time of year of our concert. For the audience, we needed a true season opening work and I desired to choose a piece that starts with ebullience and joy.

"For both orchestra and audience, the remainder of the program includes more commonly programmed works. The choice then became one of sharing a lesser-known gem. On a personal level, the Glazunov hearkens to my conducting lineage and also the very first professional recording I was involve din when (I was) 15. The Interludes pre-concert talk will go into even more detail about this piece."

Other repertoire for the evening includes Saint-Saens' Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, performed by Jeanie Yu, guest pianist, and Franck's Symphony in D minor. Yu is in great demand as a soloist and collaborative artist and performs worldwide.

Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor was composed in April 1868, at the behest of Anton Rubenstein, and first performed on May 6 of the same year, with Saint-Saens at the piano and Rubenstein at the podium.

Frank's Symphony in D minor was composed in 1886-88 and first performed at the Paris Conservatoire on Feb. 17, 1889. The score calls for two flutes, two oboes, English horn, two clarinets, two bassoons, bass clarinet, four horns, two trumpets, two cornets-a-piston, three trombones, tuba, three timpani, harp and strings.

90th anniversary: Sheboygan Symphony faces future by being sound musically - and financially

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:56:00 -0700

By Deanne Schultz • Press correspondent • September 10, 2009

With 90 years under its belt, the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra is the oldest active orchestra in Wisconsin. But that venerable history hasn't shielded it from the effects of a faltering economy.

"Just like all arts, we're not unique," said Dorothy Farrell, board president. "The economy has had an impact on us."

Remaining viable has required the creativity and diligence of all members, from volunteers to conductor, a position in the final stages of being filled by the symphony's search and screen committee (music director Andrews Sills left the Sheboygan Symphony at the end of the last season to conduct for the New York City Ballet).

Farrell said while other community orchestras in the state have reduced the number of performances they do each season, that's a move the Sheboygan orchestra isn't ready to consider yet.

"We've had to reduce our spending as much as possible," she said, "So we've renegotiated agreements with musicians and facilities. We've also had to reevaluate the music we're performing and identify what we can economically acquire for the year. We're optimistic that we can perform a full series this year, though."

Farrell said the group's success is dependent upon the "support of their supporters. Fortunately, they're local, but we've received fewer donations, and those are smaller."

To address that, both the board of directors and a development committee are working to strengthen their relationship with local businesses, and another committee was established recently to identify new and different ways to raise funds.

A separate strategy involved reducing ticket prices to 2006-07 rates. Farrell said while ticket prices represent a portion of the orchestra's revenue, they don't comprise the majority of it.

"We've lowered ticket prices so we can enjoy a full house and make the music attainable," she said.

Part of bringing the music to the audience involves royalty fees, which can range from $8,000 to $30,000 per concert.

"There is no average cost," said Eric Johnson, managing director. "It is a huge range, but it depends on the size of the orchestra, which is determined by the piece of music."

Those royalties are paid to groups like the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, which own the rights to much of the music the orchestra performs.

There's also the challenge of performing music that not only entertains but educates, a value reflected in the orchestra's mission statement.

"Our mission is one of education, not only for guests, but the community as a whole. We have both a youth and an adult focus," Farrell said.

To that end, the orchestra has established several programs, including the Sheboygan Youth Symphony, which draws from all area schools and home-schooled students. For 29 years, the program has offered students the opportunity to perform locally three times each season, as well as in state and national music festivals.

Master classes, free to participating students and open to the public, allow the guest performer to help students refine their playing.

"Interludes," held the evening of the concert, give the conductor an opportunity to connect with the audience, explaining why the evening's musical pieces were chosen.

Audience connection is critical to a conductor's success, but it's just one of the many important qualifications the orchestra is considering in its search for a new conductor.

"Without a music director, we're limiting the number of things we enhance our programming with," Farrell said, "but that's what we're looking for in a director - how to expand."

The search began in November 2008, and out of a group of 131 applicants, Johnson said the field has been narrowed to four who have been given the opportunity to conduct rehearsals and concerts.

During the upcoming season, Kevin McMahon, Ronald Foster, Pasquale Lorino and Jeffrey Stirling will be evaluated during their performances. The orchestra's goal is to announce the new conductor in early May.

"We have to put on very similar performances as far as difficulty, length and number of musicians, but we still have to do pieces that are educational and help the audience broaden their perspective," Farrell said.

"We need a conductor who has passion, not only to lead the orchestra, but everyone else in the community with them," Johnson said.

If it seems to be all about the Sheboygan community, it's because that's where the orchestra's focus remains.

"We're committed to remaining a community orchestra and being an outlet for local artists," Farrell said. "All our musicians are employed in some other way - teachers, doctors, factory workers or homemakers, and they're very talented. Together they make music for others to enjoy. We need to continue to expose the community to that."

So what does the future bring?

"We're working to get other audiences who may not have been interested or didn't notice symphonic music," Farrell said. "They don't have to go to Milwaukee or Green Bay to have a quality experience - it's right here."

"Ten years from now is our 100th, and we're all striving for that magical number," Johnson said. "We'd love to do special events like commissioning pieces for concerts, bringing back past performers or conductors to be a part of it. It's a very worthy goal."

Stars shine bright at second annual Movers & Shakers Gala

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:00:00 -0700

A sold-out ballroom of over 500 guests were wowed by a spectacular night of celebrity dancing at the second annual Movers & Shakers Gala, a benefit for Lakeland College and the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra held May 30 at Lakeland.

This star-studded night featured nine well-known area celebrities in a glamorous setting complete with red-carpet glitz and gourmet cuisine. Lakeland College's Todd Wehr Center was once again transformed into a beautiful ballroom, including wall-to-wall carpeting, a massive lighting setup and huge video screens that let a who's who of Sheboygan County showcase their best moves.

The celebrities were each paired with a professional dancer, and after months of training they competed to win the support of four judges and the guests, who were busy buying votes both in the ballroom that evening and online for weeks leading up to the event. Yes, the Movers & Shakers trophy could be bought!

In an effort to spread the wealth and have more impact on the community this year, each of the nine dancers selected a local charity or nonprofit organization that will also benefit from their efforts. Half the proceeds from the votes sold for each dancer will go to those special organizations.

Deborah Wente, chair of the Movers & Shakers Gala and a Lakeland trustee, said this year's event built off the momentum of the debut of the Movers and Shakers Gala last spring, and the results once again exceeded the planning committees' expectations.

"Our goal has always been to deliver a night that offers something special and unique, and the feedback we continue to receive is that we certainly delivered," Wente said. "Lakeland and the Sheboygan Symphony are two deserving community resources, and the opportunity to expand our reach and benefit organizations that are close to the hearts of our dancers was very well received.

"A lot of people are embracing this event, and we're anxious to get started planning for the 2010 Gala."

The 2010 Movers & Shakers Gala will be held May 22 at Lakeland.

Cindy Brotz gracefully performed the waltz and took home the title, topping a field that included some of Sheboygan County's biggest names. Brotz, a well-known community volunteer, said she dreamed of being Cinderella as a young girl, and she certainly looked the part during her performance. Sheboygan Youth Sailing was her special charity.

The other eight dancers were:

Dave Aldag, president of Aldag Honold Mechanical and president of the Lakeland College Alumni Association, performed the Foxtrot. Votes for Aldag are benefitting the Sheboygan County YMCA.
Nina Kohler, owner of Sweet Potato's ladies boutique, performed the Cha Cha. Votes for Kohler are benefitting the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.
Julia Loo-Sutcliffe, owner of The Feed Mill Market, Cottagewood and Thyme Savours in Elkhart Lake, performed the Cuban Rhumba. Votes for Loo-Sutcliffe are benefitting the Elkhart Lake/Glenbeulah Education Foundation.
Paul Nemschoff, vice president and chief operating officer of Nemschoff Chairs, performed the Rumba. Votes for Nemschoff are benefitting the Sheboygan County Humane Society.
Jimmy Olson, owner of Lippert-Olson Funeral Home, performed the Tango. Votes for Olson are benefitting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sheboygan County.
Sebastian Schmidt, president and chief operating officer of Kurtz North America, performed the West Coast Swing. Votes for Schmidt are benefitting Great Marriages for Sheboygan County.
Laura Stayer, community volunteer, performed the Salsa. Votes for Stayer are benefitting Safe Harbor.
Barbie Walker, community volunteer and retired real estate professional, performed the Swing. Votes for Walker are benefitting The Salvation Army.

Wendy Bemis, a Lakeland alumna and active community leader, and James C. Cape, a member of the SSO Board of Directors, served as emcees for the evening.

It was a full evening that alternated between celebrity dancing, a multi-course gourmet meal and a number of unique live auction items, including the opportunity to build a school in Malawi, Africa, the first two dancer spots in the 2010 Gala, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sing with the Sheboygan Symphony Chorus during the Hallelujah Chorus of Handel's "Messiah" and glamorous dancing-themed trips to Vienna, Buenos Aires and New York.

The evening's first live auction added its own special twist as Dr. Andrew Campbell, of Campbell Facial Plastic Surgery of Sheboygan, provided the winning bid and joined the three professional judges throughout the evening in scoring the efforts of each of the nine dancers. The average of the four judges accounted for 25 percent of each dancer's total score.

The meal was prepared by Lakeland's food service and served by nearly 140 enthusiastic, hard-working volunteers from Lakeland, the SSO and the community. Guests sat in beautifully-decorated tables surrounding the dance floor.

Major sponsors of this 2009 Gala were the Frank G. and Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation and Sargento Foods Inc.

To see more information about the dancers, as well as a complete photo gallery (which will be posted later this week) visit www.moversandshakersgala.org

Symphony Carolers offer a musical lift at the holidays

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:05:00 -0800

By Allison Thompson • Press correspondent • November 20, 2008

"The holidays can be a little sad for some people. This group brings some joy to the season," says Jean Kittelson, a member of the Sheboygan Symphony Carolers, a volunteer component of the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra. The 30-member group sings only during the holiday season, beginning after Thanksgiving and ending by New Year's Eve.

"We sing for a fee, but the fees go back to the organization. It's an extension of the symphony," explained Vicki Radovan, who co-leads the Carolers along with Kris Wineland. "We raise money for the symphony and we have fun while doing it. It brings us joy," said Dick Willits, a member of the Carolers who serves on the Symphony Board. The Carolers entertain throughout Sheboygan County with weekly engagements at the American Club's Library Lounge. Guests of the resort, as well as members of the community, are invited to bring their children and take part in the singing.

"The biggest joys are the children," said Ruth Harker, who with her sister, Grace Rindfleisch, are members of the Sheboygan Symphony Chorus and have been part of the Carolers since its inception. "We sing 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' and 'Frosty the Snowman' and we have bells for the kids. We all love to sing together."

Members of the Carolers take turns singing at each of the events. "We insist on good balance and a minimum of eight singers," Radovan said. "We might have 10 to 12, we may have 20, it's all volunteer. People sign up for their opportunities to sing. Some people are gone or out of town so we have alternates to come in to provide the right balance." At a time when donations are low, a booked-solid caroling schedule is a big help to the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra.

"We are having one of our busiest seasons during recent memory," said Radovan. "I think the reason why we are so busy this year is that people are down, the economy is down and Christmas makes us feel like everything is going to be OK. It's a way to get away from everyday trials and tribulations … . I think our creature comforts come from things that are traditional and there are certain things people can't live without and I think Christmas music is one of those things."

While the group typically wears Symphony Chorus attire, there are special occasions, such as the Elkhart Lake Merchant Open House and Tree Lighting Ceremony Nov. 28, where the performers don Victorian attire.

"They are customizing their approach for our patrons by donning the garb of the Dickens era including top hats, bonnets, capes," said Vicki Nack, general manager of Elkhart Lake's Feed Mill Shops. "Music, especially holiday music, is a common thread that joins us all. We hope that families will be drawn to this wonderful opportunity that takes us back to a simpler time; a time when we pause, relax and enjoy the beauty of doing things together as a family."

At each caroling event, the group mixes a number of traditional Christmas hymns with holiday classics that everyone knows. Sometimes accompanied by pianist Ann Hoppert-Keller, the Carolers are also known to sing a cappella and always invite the audience to join in chorus. "It makes the holiday time so much more joyous," said Kittelson, who's been with the Carolers for three years. All members of the Symphony Chorus, there was no need to audition to become part of the Carolers. Those who sing joined because of the love of singing and of the Christmas season. "I do it because I enjoy singing," said Dave Neese of Sheboygan. "Everyone here has so many gifts and talents to share."

The Carolers were created when several members of the Chorus wanted to spend more time singing.

"We felt the need to provide some opportunities to sing a little more often," said Radovan. "We decided to do the Christmas season because it's filled with wonderful music." "It takes away from the commercial hustle and bustle and brings us back to the meaning of the season," Harker added.

The Carolers have added German and Irish tunes to their repertoire, sung in native languages, as well as "Adeste Fidelis." The varying musical selections keep the Carolers and the audience interested. The Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra is the oldest performing orchestra in the state, celebrating its 90th year. The Sheboygan Symphony Chorus is in its 15th year and the Carolers are in their eighth year. "It's that musical tradition that is so deep in our community," said Radovan. "Someone had a vision long ago and here we are singing in the community. It's a sense of pride." "The bottom line of why we are so excited about our group is that we have fun singing together and that comes out to the audience," Radovan said. "It makes Christmas fun."

The Sheboygan Symphony, conducted and accompanied by Ann Hoppert-Keller, include Keith Abler, Ilsa Bick, Ellen Cheney, Patti Christel-Diener, Michael Gartman, Judy Halvorsen, Ruth Harker, Rick Hoffmann, Kathleen Hofschield, Amanda Kairys, James Keller, Jean Kittelson, Christine Kowalewski Catherine Lucchesi, Grace Mueller, Michael Murray, David Neese, Tom Ott, Roxanne Perronne, Arthur Perry, Pat Radovan, Vicki Radovan, Tim Regan, Grace Rindfleisch, Marsha Roecker, Dick Romaine, Catherine Schrauth, Barb Shircel, Julia Stenz, Doris Theune, Richard Willits and Kristine Wineland

Check with the organization to confirm times and locations.

Nov. 28 — 5 p.m., Elkhart Lake Tree Lighting Ceremony, Village Square, 5 p.m.
Dec. 5, 6, 19, 20, 22, 23 — 5-7 p.m., American Club Library Lounge
Dec. 13 — 7:30 p.m., Christmas Treasures Concert, Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts
Dec. 24 — 8-9 p.m., Busche de Noel, story of the Yule log; American Club Grand Hall of the Great Lakes
Dec. 26-30 —5–6 p.m., The American Club Library Lounge

Contact the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra office at (920) 452-1985.