Program - Music of Michael Jackson and A Symphonic Beauty & The Beast

POPS • 2016/2017 Colorado Symphony 2016/17 Season Presenting Sponsor:

THE MUSIC OF MICHAEL JACKSON COLORADO SYMPHONY BRENT HAVENS, conductor JAMES DELISCO, vocalist Tonight's Concert is Gratefully Dedicated to Boettcher Foundation

Saturday, April 1, 2017, at 7:30pm Boettcher Concert Hall

Selections to be announced from stage.

SOUNDINGS 2016/2017 | COLORADOSYMPHONY.ORG PROGRAM 1

POPS BIOGRAPHIES BRENT HAVENS, conductor Berklee-trained arranger/conductor Brent Havens has written music for orchestras, feature films and virtually every kind of television. His TV work includes movies for networks such as ABC, CBS, and ABC Family Channel Network; commercials, sports music for networks such as ESPN, and even cartoons. Havens has also worked with the Doobie Brothers and the Milwaukee Symphony, arranging and conducting the combined group for Harley Davidson’s 100th Anniversary Birthday Party Finale attended by over 150,000 fans. He has worked with some of the world’s greatest orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic in London, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Symphony, the Atlanta Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, the Dallas Symphony, the Fort Worth Symphony, the Nashville Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and countless others.

Havens has conducted the Malaysian Philharmonic the past four years with our Music of Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin, Queen, and Music of U2 shows.

JAMES DELISCO, vocalist Crowned “The Entertainer” by Mr. Las Vegas/Wayne Newton himself, on the E! Network’s reality TV series, James Delisco has proved he is more than worthy of that title. After completing his one million dollar contract at the Las Vegas Hilton, where his show opened to rave reviews, “Delisco” continues to obtain critical acclaim in every market and venue on his recent world-wide touring. An iconoclastic showroom performer with orgiastic energy, Delisco emanates old school charm with contemporary charisma! His handling of a song is so true to itself and to the purpose of music, to uplift and inspire, that a musical and entertainment revolution is only a matter of time for this enormously talented Artist. Where classic quality meets edgy rock and soul style with undeniable stage presence, Delisco is the future of music and entertainment.

Delisco creates a connection between artist and audience member while ushering in his unique new sound through his original music. He has crafted his own style of music he calls RaGaBaR, which is a synthesis of the elements of 20th century music such as Rhythm and Blues, Gospel, Rock, and Ragtime. As confirmation of its appeal to all generations in its design and commitment to the celebration of energy and musical ethic, Delisco continually brings the audience to its feet, with standing ovations at every performance. On the threshold of major stardom, this polished young talent and electrifying performer returns to the U.S. from Berlin, Germany, the Venetian Casino in Macau, and opening the new Sands Casino in Singapore! He plays to sold out audiences everywhere he appears, which is a testament to both the mystery and intrigue of Delisco.

PROGRAM 2 SOUNDINGS 2016/2017 | COLORADOSYMPHONY.ORG

POPS BIOGRAPHIES THE MUSIC OF MICHAEL JACKSON Bridging the gulf between Pop and classical music, conductor/arranger Brent Havens takes the podium to present Windborne's newest show, The Music of Michael Jackson, a program he scored to extend the listening experience of Michael's exceptional tunes. Performed by an orchestra and amplified with a full band and vocals, Havens and his ensemble capture Michael’s distinct sound while presenting some familiar as well as new musical colors. Delivering a fabulous rendition of Michael Jackson's vocals is performer James Delisco. James grew up listening to Michael and even met Michael at a performance in Jacksonville, FL, where James was raised. “James has that rare combination of a fabulous voice, athletic dance moves and audience sensitivity where he understands what the audience is looking for and needs from the performers on stage. And he delivers,” says conductor/arranger Brent Havens. “He has an uncanny ability to make the right move on stage or say the right thing just as the audience is looking for it. It’s amazing to see.”

Heightened by rock concert lighting, the Symphonic/Pop hybrid has met with riotous approval at both ends of the hall. Many classical musicians also enjoy the change of pace. "So many of the musicians grew up with this music much like we did," says Havens. "They may not have studied it to the extent that my musicians have studied it but they are certainly familiar with the music. Everyone knows the Thriller album as it’s one of the best selling albums of all time. “We've successfully merged our different groups with the orchestra and it seemed to me that Michael’s music presents something very different from the rest of Windborne’s shows. As always, we wanted to keep the foundation of the music as close to the originals as we could and then add additional colors to enhance what Michael had done,” says Havens. “The wonderful thing with an orchestra is that you have an entire palette of sounds to call upon. The band is reproducing what Michael did as closely as possible within the constraints of personnel, and then having an orchestra behind the band gives the music richness, a whole new feel, a whole different sense of color but still preserving the wonderful music that he originally produced.” As with the other shows, Havens understood that Michael Jackson fans would want to hear the original, familiar elements of the music. He tries to stay as close to the originals as possible and used the orchestra for enhancement. With a 50-piece orchestra hanging on his every cue, Havens had a large landscape to work with. “And having world class musicians in every city we present the show makes the music even that much more compelling." The show has proven a great way to introduce a whole new group of fans to the symphony experience. “As with our other shows, I’m sure there are people who are going to come out who have never seen their city’s symphony orchestra and this allows them to experience something new along with the music that they already love,” says Havens.

ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS: Background Vocals – Kelli Reisen Background Vocals – Felicia Barton Bass/Vocals – Daniel Clemens

Drums/Vocals – Powell Randolph Guitar/Vocals – George Cintron Keyboards/Vocals - Bart Kuebler

SOUNDINGS 2016/2017 | COLORADOSYMPHONY.ORG PROGRAM 3

save the date

SATURDAY . APRIL 29 . 2017 6 pm :: Fillmore Auditorium :: Denver, Colorado

presenting sponsor PROGRAM 4 SOUNDINGS 2016/2017 | COLORADOSYMPHONY.ORG

info: coloradosymphony.org

FAMILY • 2016/2017 Colorado Symphony 2016/17 Season Family Series Sponsor:

A SYMPHONIC BEAUTY AND THE BEAST COLORADO SYMPHONY ANDRES LOPERA, conductor CHRISTIE CONOVER, vocalist

Today's Concert is Gratefully Dedicated to The Anschutz Foundation

Sunday, April 2, 2017, at 1:00pm Boettcher Concert Hall

ROBERT LOWDEN

Disney Magic

RAVEL Conversations of Beauty and the Beast from Mother Goose ALAN MENKEN orch. Troob

"Home" from Beauty and the Beast

PROKOFIEV Suite no. 1 from Cinderella VI. Cinderella Goes to the Ball VII. Cinderella's Waltz VIII. Midnight JOHN WILLIAMS Star Wars Suite

II. "Leia's Theme"

III. "The Imperial March" ANDERSON-LOPEZ

Music from Frozen

ALAN MENKEN arr. Troob

Disney's Beauty and the Beast Orchestra Suite

ALAN MENKEN orch. Troob

"A Change in Me" from Beauty and the Beast

SOUNDINGS 2016/2017 | COLORADOSYMPHONY.ORG PROGRAM 5

FAMILY BIOGRAPHIES ANDRES LOPERA, conductor Colombian conductor Andres Lopera is one of the leading Latin-American artists in the United States with nearly a decade of engagements in both North and South America. A passionate conductor who believes in the transformational power of music, Lopera is now the Assistant Conductor of the Colorado Symphony, having formerly led the Oregon Symphony, Toledo Symphony, New World Symphony, National Repertory Orchestra, and Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra. He has also appeared with professional and youth orchestras throughout Central and South America, including Honduras, where he led the Youth Orchestra of the Americas in a musical camp for both young and professional musicians. In 2012, Lopera was appointed Music Director of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, for which he oversaw 12 different orchestral ensembles with more than 450 students. Also an accomplished trombonist, Lopera’s musical development started with the Red de Bandas de Antioquia and Red de Escuelas de Musica de Medellin, both El Sistema like programs developed in Colombia. Lopera earned a Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from New England Conservatory of Music and in Trombone Performance from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to these programs, he was awarded degrees in Conducting and Trombone from the Universidad EAFIT in Medellin, Colombia. His principal teachers were Hugh Wolff and David Loebel, with additional studies with Ludovic Morlot, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Marin Alsop.

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PROGRAM 6 SOUNDINGS 2016/2017 | COLORADOSYMPHONY.ORG

FAMILY BIOGRAPHIES CHRISTIE CONOVER, vocalist Soprano Christie Conover fuses a rich, warm sound, personal grace, and dramatic sincerity to create what audiences and critics alike have called a standout performer. Recent seasons include performances as Pamina (Die Zauberflöte) with Komische Oper Berlin and Minnesota Opera; Caroline Abbott (Where Angels Fear to Tread – world premiere) with Opera San Jose; Musetta (La bohème), Liù (Turandot), and Anna (Nabucco) with Minnesota Opera; Micaëla (Carmen) with Livermore Valley Opera and Opera Fort Collins; Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro) and Juliette (Roméo et Juliette) with Livermore Valley Opera; and Clorinda (La Cenerentola) and Gretel (Hansel and Gretel – outreach tour) with Opera Colorado. Additional organizations include the Billings Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Colorado Music Festival, Grand Junction Symphony, Helena Symphony, and the Bakken Trio. Ms. Conover has placed at numerous competitions, including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Rocky Mountain Region), the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition, the Irene Dalis Competition, the Loren L. Zachary National Vocal Competition, and the Grand Junction Symphony Young Artist Competition. She was proud to represent her home state of Montana as a contestant in the 2007 Miss America Pageant and traveled extensively speaking to students on a platform close to her heart: “Music Makes the Difference.” Read and hear more at www.ChristieConover.com

SOUNDINGS 2016/2017 | COLORADOSYMPHONY.ORG PROGRAM 7

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