GPAC Season 28

SEASON 28

MAYOR’S LETTER

Dear Friends of GPAC,

True story—after a recent concert at GPAC, I was so impressed with the experience and enthused by how much I enjoyed the experience that I immediately bought tickets for four more shows. In my communication with their team regarding the purchase, I said I was “GPAC joyous!” and I am. But I’m not just GPAC joyous; I’m Germantown joyous!

The past few years have brought upon us challenges the likes of which we had never imagined. As Mayor of this city during these tough times, my awe of the resilience modeled by this city’s administration, sta and the community was only surpassed by the incredible pride I felt watching as we faced down this unforeseen threat, together. Throughout this time, I found the folks at GPAC—who saw their venue shuttered and shows canceled—to be equally as impressive. With a reduced sta , GPAC pivoted to outdoor and virtual programming, rallying their team to create and work a long and steady stream of quality, safe events in The Grove. Ultimately, they have executed hundreds of successful events, with a little something to please everybody. The Grove has become a treasured community asset—a calming and soothing oasis where families of all shapes and sizes and citizens of all walks of life can come together to enjoy the arts and most importantly, each other.

Fast forward to today and the extraordinary season that GPAC o ers in its 28th year, and I am equally proud and impressed. Not only are you being o ered a robust roster of shows on the mainstage, including fifteen mainstage shows, six Jazz in the Box performances, and four Peanut Butter & Jam family music events, but GPAC has also created a brandnew music residency, the Acoustic Music Program; brought back the beloved rotating visual art exhibitions; expanded summer camps; and added the Creative Arts Ensemble programming for adults with disabilities. Plus, GPAC has announced Concerts in the Grove for a series of fun nights outdoors this fall and next spring.

GPAC has always been a wonderful point of entry to our city—oftentimes the place where visitors form their first impressions. Now, with even more excellent programming to entice, both indoors and out, GPAC’s role as our “front door” is even bigger. There has never been a better time to get involved with and support GPAC!

Sincerely,

Mike Palazzolo

Mayor of Germantown

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S LETTER

Welcome to the 28th Season at GPAC!

We are pleased and proud to present a season filled with eclectic and diverse arts experiences, concerts, and arts education programming—including fifteen extraordinary performances indoors in the Duncan-Williams Performance Hall spanning the spectrum of dance, jazz, Americana, and more.

All of us at GPAC are sincerely grateful for your presence here today and for your tremendous support over the past two years. Presenting and educating have always been at the heart of how we serve the community, whether our seats are filled to capacity or not. The Covid-19 pandemic temporarily crippled us, but creative and constant use of The Grove outdoor venue helped us stay on mission until we could reopen indoors.

With flexibility and adaptability as our mantra, GPAC has not only endured but grown—in many ways as a direct result of your continued commitment to supporting the arts.

Notable programs that were seeded during this di cult time include the Creative Arts Ensemble program for adults with disabilities and Music for Aardvarks, an alternative music program for very young children and their parents. We also launched Family Movies in

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Paul Chandler

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Carol Ross-Spang PRESIDENT

Patrick O’Connor VICE PRESIDENT

Bill Watkins TREASURER

Trey Watkins

ASSISTANT TREASURER

Carlton Anderson SECRETARY

Ann Parker

ASSISTANT SECRETARY

Lee Grinspan FORMER PRESIDENT

Jason Huisman CITY ADMINISTRATOR

The Grove, introduced Happy Hour in The Grove, and hosted dozens of concerts in The Grove while continuing and expanding our arts education programming, both indoors and out. This season, we are especially pleased to introduce the Acoustic Music Program, an acoustic music residency for talented young musicians and songwriters who will participate in an intensive week of music instruction alongside acoustic music masters and songwriters Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Shawn Colvin, and Marc Cohn. This program has the potential to have a lasting impact on future acoustic musicians and songwriters in this country.

Today, we have doubled in size and now have double the opportunity to showcase the arts, educate and inspire. We sincerely believe we o er something for everyone! I hope YOU will join us and explore all of Season 28’s wonderful possibilities.

Sincerely,

Paul Chandler Executive Director

BOARD MEMBERS

Susan Arney

Pam Arrindell

Joey Beckford

September Blain

The Honorable

George Brown, Jr.

Rebecca Cullison Dr. Brooke Dishmon

Patrick Lawton Dr. Frank Ognibene

Claire Revels Shapiro

Kathy Simonetti

Michelle Higdon GUILD PRESIDENT

The Honorable Mike Palazzolo

GERMANTOWN MAYOR

This season is supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP5534 awarded to the State of Tennessee by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

JAZZ SERIES

HERB ALPERT & LANI HALL

FRIDAY SEP 16TH 8PM

At the age of eight, Herb Alpert was drawn to the trumpet in a music appreciation class in his elementary school. “I was very fortunate that I had that exposure to music and was encouraged to stick with it. Years ago, when the arts programs were cut out of our public schools, so many kids stopped having that kind of opportunity,” he says.

Audiences around the world have rejoiced in young Herb’s good fortune. The iconic trumpet player has sold over 72 million records, a testament to his extraordinary musicianship and talent. We could give you list after list of his awards (nine Grammys and fifteen Gold albums, for example) and his accomplishments (at one point, his Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass outsold The Beatles two to one). In 1966, the band had four albums in the Top 10 and five in the Top 20 simultaneously – a feat that is still unmatched today. Herb also has the distinction of being the only artist who has had a number one instrumental and a number one vocal single. With his partner Jerry Moss, he is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and part of the Grammy Museum’s “Icons of the Music Industry” series. Herb was awarded the National Medal

of Arts Award by President Barack Obama for his musical, philanthropic, and artistic contributions. He’s come a long way since his school days studying music appreciation!

He married two-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist and producer Lani Hall in 1973. With this pair, the cliché of making beautiful music together proves true. In fact, Lani’s second Grammy Award was for producing Herb’s 2013 Grammy-winning album Steppin Out

As the lead singer of Sergio Mendes’ breakthrough group Brasil ’66, Lani left her Chicago roots behind in 1966 as she performed across the globe. A multilingual artist, she has recorded more than 22 albums in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. In 1983, she sang the title song for the James Bond film Never Say Never Again. As gifted with the written word as she is with music, Lani is the author of a lyrical compilation of short stories which give a glimpse of the double-edged sword that is the life of an artist.

Hall and Alpert have been touring with their band to sell-out performances since 2006. We are delighted to welcome them to GPAC!

SPONSORED BY The Village at Germantown

For David and Mary Stooksbury and many others, The Village at Germantown is more than a new address: it’s a community of friends who believe that life is what you make it.

It’s designed to meet needs, exceed expectations and bring new meaning to retirement living… all while enjoying an upscale lifestyle and endless amenities. The time

AN EVENING WITH JESSICA VOSK

SATURDAY OCT 1 ST 8PM

“There are times when Jessica Vosk sings that you find yourself wondering how a sound so beautiful, so perfect, so pure could exist in real life.”

– Broadway World

Singer. Actress. Broadway star. Soloist. The unforgettable Jessica Vosk stirs audiences with her perfectly crafted performances, infusing every note with talent, energy, and sincerity. Perhaps best known for her powerhouse Broadway performances, Jessica was acclaimed for her standout performance as Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway. A versatile artist, she starred as the Narrator in the 50th anniversary of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Lincoln Center and created the role of Aunt Val in the world premiere of Becoming Nancy. Jessica starred

in New York City Ballet’s Jerome Robbins tribute Something to Dance About and recreated the role of Fruma Sarah in the most recent Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof. Other Broadway credits include Finding Neverland and The Bridges of Madison County She dazzled audiences as Anita in West Side Story with the San Francisco Symphony, the recording of which was nominated for a Grammy. Her debut, Billboard-charting solo album Wild and Free was released in 2018 and was followed by 2020’s A Very Coco Christmas

Her performances soar well beyond her Broadway arias. Jessica made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2021 in a sold-out solo show titled My Golden Age and makes her debut at London’s Cadogan Hall this year. We are excited to welcome this supremely gifted artist as she makes her GPAC debut.

CENTER STAGE SERIES

SPONSORED BY Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare

MAVIS STAPLES

SATURDAY OCT 8TH 8PM

“I’m the messenger. That’s my job – it has been for my whole life – and I can’t just give up while the struggle’s still alive. We’ve got more work to do, so I’m going to keep on getting stronger and keep on delivering my message every single day.”

– Mavis Staples, on the eve of her 80th birthday Gospel singer. Blues icon. Grammy winner. Civil rights activist. R&B pioneer. The incomparable Mavis Staples brings her message – a clarion call to love, to faith, to brotherhood, to joy – to audiences around the globe, delivering roofraising performances with both a youthful vigor and a commanding maturity. It’s impossible to listen to a voice like hers without contemplating all she has seen and done in her lifetime and sitting in awe of her optimism, resilience, courage, and talent.

Born in Chicago in 1939, Mavis rose to fame as a member of her family’s band, the Staples Singers. In the ensuing years, she’s marched with

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., performed at John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, and sung in Barack Obama’s White House. She’s collaborated with everyone from Prince and Bob Dylan to Arcade Fire and Hozier, blown away countless festival goers from Newport Folk and Glastonbury to Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, performed with The Band at The Last Waltz, and graced the airwaves on Fallon, Colbert, Ellen, Austin City Limits, Jools Holland, the Grammys, and more.

Her list of accolades befits her legendary status. In addition to three Grammy awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, she is a Blues and a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, a chart-topping performer, a National Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient, and a Kennedy Center honoree.

Mavis continues to showcase her remarkable and continued evolution as an artist, one still growing and exploring more than half a century into her storied career. With timeless appeal and e ortless grace, she brings her inspirational message to GPAC.

CENTER STAGE SERIES SPONSORED BY Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare

JOEY ALEXANDER

SATURDAY OCT 15TH 8PM

“He’s HOW old?” is a question we often hear about Grammy-nominated pianist Joey Alexander. It's a fair question, when you consider that Joey has performed at the White House, topped the Billboard Jazz Albums chart multiple times, appeared on primetime TV at the 58th Grammy Awards, and sold out his debut at Carnegie Hall – all at the ripe age of eighteen.

A renowned festival and concert hall headliner around the globe, the Bali-born musician moved to New York City in 2014. Steadfastly dedicated to his craft as a composer, improviser, and technician, Joey has released five critically-acclaimed studio albums, My Favorite Things, Countdown, Joey. Monk.Live!, Eclipse, and WARNA. He recently

recorded his debut of all-original compositions ORIGIN for release this year. On Spotify alone, the young pianist averages 350K listeners per month – something not regularly seen in instrumental music on the streaming giant.

Joey has garnered international acclaim from mainstream media, three nominations from the Recording Academy (the youngest ever to be nominated in any jazz category), and high praise from legendary icons from Quincy Jones to Herbie Hancock, while evolving into one of today’s most distinguished composers and bandleaders. Joey delights audiences everywhere with his highly expressive, emotional, and sincere artistry. This will be an unforgettable evening!

JAZZ SERIES SPONSORED BY The Village at Germantown

CENTER STAGE SERIES

TERRANCE SIMIEN & THE ZYDECO EXPERIENCE WITH SPECIAL GUEST MARCELLA SIMIEN

SATURDAY OCT 22ND 8PM

“Simien is a Zydeco master: his voice yearning like Sam Cooke, he delivers soul worthy of Stax greats and shows crossover class.”

– Rolling Stone

Zydeco may be hard to define, but Grammywinning Terrance Simien is up to the task. An 8th-generation Louisiana Creole, he’s been shattering the myths about the genre-defying music for almost 40 years. As exhilarating, complex, and diverse as the Creoles themselves, Zydeco is American roots music, born of black and mixed-race French-speaking South Louisiana Creoles. More than just one rhythm and tempo, the music is about both dancing freely and grooving in place.

Terrance leads a massively skilled Zydeco Experience band with longtime member and creative collaborator Danny Williams on keyboards, bassist Stan Chambers, Ian Molinaro-Thompson on drums, trombonist Revon Andrews, and saxophonist Orlando Gilbert. The band has performed over 9,000 concerts and toured millions of miles to over

45 countries to share their love of Zydeco. Terrance’s lead vocals and stunning three-part harmonies with Danny and Stan have wowed their audiences and solidified his status as one of the most respected and accomplished artists in American root music today.

Joining Terrance onstage is his daughter Marcella Simien. A talented artist in her own right, Marcella was practically born onstage and grew up immersed in sound and performance. She’s got a strong Memphis connection, too: she holds a degree from Memphis College of Art, which is what originally brought her here. Feeling a kindred connection to the city’s rich history and bustling community of working musicians, Marcella began planting the seeds of her South Louisiana heritage in the Blu City. She has since forged her own pathways in the local, national, and international music scenes, following her heart as an artist while wielding the torch of a Creole dynasty. Marcella founded and serves as bandleader in Marcella & Her Lovers—a hybrid of classic Memphis soul with the freewheeling swagger of New Orleans funk.

SPONSORED BY Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare

750 acres of cloud-gazing, trail-blazing, freeze-tagging, zig-zagging, garden-growing, horse-showing, disc-golfing, soft-balling, puddle-jumping, chest-bumping, Green-waying, weenie-racing, Germantown-festing, nature-questing fun.

CHARLES LLOYD TRIO FEATURING HARISH RAGHAVAN & ANTHONY WILSON

FRIDAY NOV 4TH 8PM

“Charles Lloyd is an international treasure.”

– Carlos Santana

How do you distill the accomplishments of a lifetime? Now in his eighth decade, legendary jazz musician Charles Lloyd has enough musical experience and achievements to fill a book.

We can focus on his many awards, which are remarkable: Lobero Ghostlight Society Artist Luminary Award. Berklee School of Music Honorary Doctorate. NEA Jazz Master Fellow. Montreal International Jazz Festival Miles Davis Award. Laureate Alfa Jazz International Music Award. Memphis Music Hall of Fame. And those are just his most recent! Yet his awards only tell a small part of his story.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1938, Charles has created an artistic career that has spanned not only years but also the globe. At the peak of the Cold War in 1967, he made headlines when

his Quartet became the first jazz group from the U.S. to play in the USSR by invitation of the Soviet people rather than through government sponsorship. The Charles Lloyd Quartet was the first jazz group to perform at the legendary Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco. He was the first jazz musician to perform at the classical music festival in Bergen, Norway. In addition to accolades received in the U.S., Charles is the recipient of the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres from the French Minister of Culture. We could go on and on!

The New York Times said, “Follow the career of Charles Lloyd, and you see a map of great jazz across half a century. His shows, full of momentum and intuition, perfectly represent the idea that the best jazz needs to be experienced live.” We welcome this native son back home to Memphis for a concert filled with his trademark beauty, passion, and elegance.

JAZZ SERIES SPONSORED BY The Village at Germantown

DELFEAYO MARSALIS & THE UPTOWN JAZZ ORCHESTRA

SATURDAY NOV 19TH 8PM

You could say Delfeayo Marsalis was destined to a life in music. The son of legendary jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis recalls a home filled with music: “I remember my dad playing piano at the house, and me laying underneath the piano as a child, listening to him play. After briefly trying bass and drums, in sixth grade I gravitated towards the trombone, which was an extension of my personality.” A Louisiana native, Delfeayo attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts high school, trained at the Eastern Music Festival and Tanglewood Institute, and majored in both performance and audio production at the Berklee College of Music. Along with his father, he and his brothers Branford, Wynton, and Jason earned the nation’s highest jazz honor – a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award.

An inventive and imaginative performer, he has entertained audiences around the world. During a tour with the Lincoln Center Jazz

Orchestra, he was filmed as part of the Ken Burns documentary Jazz, and he was an integral part of Marsalis Family: A Jazz Celebration, a DVD that assembled all of the Marsalis family music for the first time and was featured on PBS. A bandleader, producer, Grammy winner, and educator, Delfeayo is a multi-talented multihyphenate who knows how to put on a show!

In 2000, he formed the Uptown Music Theatre, a nonprofit that empowers youth through educational programming and musical theatre training. The Uptown Jazz Orchestra followed eight years later. Featuring up to 18 accomplished musicians, the Uptown Jazz Orchestra sets the global standard for celebrating jazz in its authentic musical form, inspiring the next generation of jazz musicians and promoting a culture of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the arts. You are in for a treat as you watch them together for a powerhouse performance.

JAZZ SERIES SPONSORED BY The Village at Germantown

STACEY KENT

SATURDAY JAN 14TH 8PM

A jazz singer in the mold of the greats, Stacey Kent stirs audiences with her ability to communicate emotion through nuanced performances. With a catalog of 11 studio albums and an impressive list of collaborations, Stacey has graced the stages of more than 50 countries over the course of her career. With each successive album, Stacey's style has become more honed as her artistic outlook has broadened. Her search for songs led her to look beyond the Great American Songbook, with French chanson and Brazilian music forming an ever-larger part of her repertoire.

Stacy’s musical journey began in her childhood with piano lessons. An unusually keen ear and true voice lead her to participate in school musical productions, and she could often be heard singing at impromptu musical events

in her college cafe. After receiving her degree, this comparative literature graduate with a musical bent traveled to Europe to further her studies. Through a series of twists of fate, she found herself in London, where she enrolled in a graduate music program at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and met her husband and musical partner, Jim Tomlinson. Her repertoire includes a growing number of songs written for her by Jim with various lyricists, most notably the Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro. From a lunchtime conversation with the writer, the songs for the Platinum-selling, Grammynominated Breakfast on The Morning Tram were conceived.

She brings her distinctive style to GPAC for a totally delightful concert experience.

JAZZ SERIES SPONSORED BY The Village at Germantown

Now in its 27th season, this program introduces children ages 8 and under to a variety of genres including music, dance, and multicultural arts in an informal concert setting. Parents and children are invited to move and groove in these highly interactive performances held on scheduled Saturdays in the Watkins Studio Theater or Duncan-Williams Performance Hall. Tickets are pay what you can.

OBRUNI DANCE BAND

SATURDAY SEP 10TH 10:30AM

DUNCAN-WILLIAMS PERFORMANCE HALL

Join us as we kick o our PBJ season with Obruni Dance Band inspired and influenced by Highlife music from West Africa. Led by Memphis musician Adam Holton, Obruni Dance Band will be sure to get your little ones up on their feet to experience the rhythms, movement, and joy of African pop music.

MÖMANDPÖP

SATURDAY NOV 5TH 10AM

WATKINS STUDIO THEATER

Wendy the Whale REALLY wants to be a contestant in the world's greatest underwater baking contest, "The Great Beachy Cove Bake-o !" but there’s a problem! She keeps dropping the eggs, losing her recipes, and making messes! Swim along with Wendy as she gets expert advice from her underwater friends Jellyfish, Crab, Octopus, and Swordfish on trying hard things and dealing with di cult emotions. With all brand-new tunes from mömandpöp and loads of audience participation, this is one underwater adventure you won’t want to miss!

SONGS BY JAKE

SATURDAY JAN 14TH 10:30AM

WATKINS STUDIO THEATER

Jake brings his unique blend of music, sketch art, puppetry, and storytelling into a truly one-ofa-kind children’s experience. His performances aren’t simply shows but opportunities for kids to feel the freedom to create, learn, and move through spontaneous, child-centric activities.

PB&J ON TOUR

This outreach program takes our highly popular Peanut Butter & Jam series into area schools twice a year. The program is designed to supplement learning for grades K-2 in arts, culture, and music. PBJ on Tour is o ered free to participating schools and funded by the GPAC Arts Education Fund.

The will to bring creative beauty to life begins with inspiration. At First Horizon, we’re proud to support the continued brilliance of the Germantown Performing Arts Center and to celebrate the way it brings our community together.

EDUCATION & OUTREACH

SCHOOL MATINEES

GPAC connects children, teachers, and schools across the Mid-South with the performing arts during exciting weekday performances of music, dance, and theater. GPAC student matinees are specifically designed to engage students on a deeper level by exposing them to high-quality performing arts, complementing school curricula, and expanding cultural awareness.

Terence Simien’s Creole4kidz

FRIDAY OCT 21ST 10AM

Madonna Learning Center

FRIDAY DEC 15TH 10AM

Step Afrika!

MONDAY MAR 6TH 10AM

CLASSES & CAMPS

Dance Classes

GPAC dance classes are designed to o er highquality dance instruction in a non-competitive and nurturing environment for students ages 3-10. Students develop rhythm, coordination, flexibility, creative expression, and self-esteem while learning dance techniques appropriate for their age.

Guitar Lessons

GPAC o ers private guitar lessons to students of all ages with singer-songwriter Josh Thelkeld. Through one-on-one sessions, students will sharpen techniques, learn compositions, and understand di erent musical genres.

Music for Aardvarks

This super-fun parent/child music and movement class is geared towards children ages 6 months to 5 years old and led by musician and mom Michelle Shrader. Class activities include sing-a-longs, rhythm making, free-form dance breaks, and instrumental jams with shakers, drums, sticks, and tambourines.

Summer Camps

GPAC o ers opportunities for creative self-discovery through summer arts camps like Fairytale Ballet, Fantastic Creatures, and Play That Guitar. The camps are designed to stimulate artistic talents while providing enjoyable and enriching experiences.

Master Classes

GPAC Connects the community to nationally renowned artists through master classes, Q&A’s, workshops, and open sound checks. The following artists will participate in community outreach this season:

Step Afrika!

Pilobolus

ENSEMBLE PROGRAMS

Creative Arts Ensemble

Creative Arts Ensemble is a multidisciplinary experience that provides adults with special needs the opportunity to be understood and heard, to execute self-expression, to build confidence, and to promote self-advocacy through a variety of performing and visual arts.

GPAC Youth Symphony Program

SUNDAY NOV 20, 2022 4PM

& SUNDAY APR 30, 2023 4PM

Now in its 12th season, The GPAC Youth Symphony Program (GYSP) gives opportunities for young musicians across the Mid-South area to perform musical masterworks under the direction of experienced conductors and teachers, improve upon their technique, learn basic music theory, work with an ensemble, and interact with professional guest artists performing at GPAC. With four distinct ensembles, GYSP’s excellent music education fosters musical growth with an emphasis on the interconnectedness of art, music, culture, history, and society. Through this program, our students are equipped with the tools to become the next generation of music advocates, educators, performers, and patrons.

GYSP consists of four groups: Mozart String Ensemble for ages 9-12, Mendelssohn String Orchestra for ages 12-16, Wind Ensemble for ages 12-18, and the GPAC Youth Symphony Orchestra for ages 14-19. Students are admitted by audition only in May and August. GPAC believes that finances should not prevent a motivated and talented student from participating in our youth symphony program. GPAC provides Financial Aid and Scholarships through the GPAC Arts Education Fund.

For more information contact Emily Hefley at 901-751-7665 or emily@gpacweb.com

2023 GPAC GALA

GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

YOUR gift makes a di erence! To get involved, contact Parke Kennedy, Director of Development, at 901-751-7505 or parke@GPACweb.com

SPONSORSHIP

Make YOUR business synonymous with arts support! With a GPAC sponsorship, you can promote your business and become recognized in the community as an important supporter of the arts. Sponsorships include Performance Sponsorships at several levels as well as Special Event Sponsorships. Benefits are customized and typically include significant recognition, complimentary tickets, and invitations to special receptions and events.

JAZZ SOCIETY

PLANNED GIVING

Are you interested in planning a gift to support GPAC’s mission? A gift from your will, estate plan, or charitable foundation can help GPAC for decades to come. The gift of appreciated securities—stocks, bonds or mutual funds—can also be a great way to make your charitable dollars go further. Don’t hesitate to contact us to learn more.

Are YOU a Jazz Lover? Combine your passion for jazz and GPAC by becoming a member of the GPAC Jazz Society. Founded by GPAC’s 2012 Patrons of the Arts, Neal and Joey Beckford, membership consists of an annual gift of $1,000 and guarantees exceptional GPAC jazz performances in the future. Benefits include two tickets to all mainstage jazz performances and private receptions.

Dr. Esmond & Pam Arrindell

Dr. Neal & Joey Beckford

The Honorable

George H. Brown Jr.

Thomas Chu, M.D.

Drs. Brooke and Dwight Dishmon

Chuck Irwin & Saundra Messinger

Fred & Dorothy Johnson

Steve & Pam Johnson

Jolana & Hubert Jordan

Dr. Royce & Sirella Joyner

Dr. Judith Soberman & Dr. Len Lothstein

Barbara & George Mayo

Linda Milbradt

Dr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Motley

THE JAZZ SET

Sarah & Dr. Frank Ognibene

Dr. & Mrs. Autry J. Parker

Alyce & Thomas Price

Jack & Gloria Scha er

Dr. Robert W. & D. Cameron Smith

Jocelyn Dan Wurzburg

Dr. Lisa & Kevin Young

Have YOU heard? Jazz in the Box at GPAC has become the best secret jazz club in the region! Join the Jazz Set founders Jack and Gloria Scha er in a membership society that reinforces GPAC’s Jazz in the Box program AND our ability to continue presenting unparalleled experiences in the most exciting jazz venue in the Mid-South. For a $500 contribution, you will receive two tickets to all six Jazz in the Box shows scheduled this season AND you will be recognized throughout the season as a passionate jazz, arts, and GPAC supporter.

Sheila & Carlton Anderson

Susan & Bob Baker

Dr. Neal & Joey Beckford

Sheila Betts

David & Patti Bradford

The Honorable

George H. Brown Jr.

Mike & Dotty Carter

Thomas Chu, M.D.

Diane Coons

Preston H. Dorsett

Patti & Lew Ellis

Sondra & Bill Fondren

Mary & Ricky Fortin

Diana & Mickey Foster

Summer & Cecil Godman

Phil & Lori Goetz

Sharon & Lee Grinspan

David & Margo Holt

Mary & Mark Jenkins

Fred & Dorothy Johnson

Steve & Pam Johnson

Jolana & Hubert Jordan

Susanne & Bruce Landau

Dr. Reed Landau

Syd & Lauren Lerner

Annette & Bill Mariencheck

Phyliss & Malvin Massey

Je rey F. & Emily McEvoy

Linda Milbradt

Joyce & Bill Miles

Sarah & Dr. Frank Ognibene

Nan Page

Frances & Gary Paulson

Alyce & Thomas Price

Meryl Shahun Rosen

Jack & Gloria Scha er

Joel Scha er & Dr. Kristin Hall

Jim Springer

Robert L. Wilson

Jocelyn Dan Wurzburg

Dr. Lisa and Kevin Young

GPAC is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that relies on donations to o set the costs of presenting world-class performances, year after year. Your gifts are 100% tax-deductible.

PRESENTERS CIRCLE

We need YOU to help ensure the future of the arts at GPAC! Join the GPAC Presenters Circle to support this important local and regional asset and become a part of its story. With an annual gift of at least $1000 and a three-year commitment, YOU can become a part of this very special circle of supporters who share our passion for the arts and recognize the critical value GPAC brings to our community. Members are prominently recognized throughout the season and at exclusive private events.

Bo & Petra Adams

Cathy Anderson, Crye-Leike Commercial

Sheila & Carlton Anderson

Susan & Damon Arney

Dr. Esmond & Pamela Arrindell

Susan & Bob Baker

Marilyn Barnes

Wanda & John Barzizza

Samuel L. Beach

Dr. Neal & Joey Beckford

September G. Blain

Pam Blatch

Teresa & Eric Bolton

Charles & Diana Britton

Honorable George H. Brown, Jr.

Burch, Porter & Johnson, PLLC

Carol & Brendan Byrne

Ron & Susan Carlsson

Mike & Dotty Carter

Jennifer & Paul Chandler

Thomas Chu, M.D.

Donna & Roy Cohen

Dr. Chad & Rebecca Cullison

Ken & Nancy Dick

Drs. Brooke & Dwight Dishmon

Jan & Ted Donaldson

Preston H. Dorsett

Mr. & Mrs. Edward Efkeman

John M. Farris

Jonathan & Jana Finder

GPAC STAFF ADMINISTRATION

Sondra & Bill Fondren

Diana & Mickey Foster

Kathy & J. W. Gibson

Sharon & Lee Grinspan

Dr. Malini Gupta

Dr. & Mrs. Ramesh C. Gupta

Barbara Boone Hanemann

Mike Harless

Pamela E. Ireland

Chuck Irwin & Saundra Messinger

Jim & Liz Jacobs

Mary & Mark Jenkins

Bill & Barbara Johns

Steve & Pam Johnson

Sandra Jones

Jay & Kristen Keegan

Andrea & Robert Kerlan

Cathy & Richard Kessler

Dorothy O. Kirsch

Patricia & Gary Koester

Peggy C. Larkin

Cathy & Patrick Lawton

Dick & Jo Anne Leike

Jim & Linda Lloyd

Dr. Judith Soberman & Dr. Len Lothstein

Je rey F. & Emily McEvoy

Dr. Norris & Lauren McGehee

Judy & Mickey McLellan

Debbie & Robert Meyers

Linda Milbradt

Angie Brannon BUSINESS MANAGER

Paul Chandler EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Patricia Cooper VISUAL ARTS COORDINATOR

Tennison Gabrielleschi DONOR RELATIONS & DATABASE MANAGER

Emily Hefley PROGRAMMING DIRECTOR

Parke Kennedy DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Jenn King EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

Cat Peña PUBLIC ART MANAGER

Nevada Presley MARKETING MANAGER

Leslie & Jed Mitchell

Katy & Patrick O'Connor

Sarah & Dr. Frank Ognibene

Susan Olsson

The Honorable Mike Palazzolo

Joel & Ann Parker

Emily & Adam Patterson

Marty Regan

Renasant Bank

Carol & Mike Ross-Spang

Je & Lauren Rower

Claire Revels Shapiro

Dr. & Mrs. Marvin Shapiro

Mr. & Mrs. John C. She eld, III

Kathy Simonetti

Rouben & Elizabeth Simonian

Roel & Cynthia Smit

Ann Schaefer Smith

Allyson Smothers

Tate Computer Systems, Inc.

Dr. Linda Tharp

Grace & Frank Uhlhorn

Jo Vail

Jeanette & William H. Watkins, Jr.

Sarah & William H. Watkins, III

Cathy & Craig Weiss

Carol & Chip Westbrook

Pat & Jennifer Wilczynski

Eileen & Steven Wishnia

Ric & Gena Wolbrecht

Christine & Paul Woods

BOX OFFICE

Suzette Simmonds BOX OFFICE MANAGER

Jared Smith ASSISTANT BOX OFFICE MANAGER

OPERATIONS

Peggy Davis THEATER MANAGER

Mackenzie Gittinger FACILITIES SERVICES MANAGER

Jasmine Hirt FACILITY MANAGER

Michael Lee TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Blaine McGee FACILITIES SERVICES MANAGER

Liz Mulroy VENUE DIRECTOR

Brad Pitts FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

$1,000,000+

The City of Germantown

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

$100,000+

Duncan-Williams, Inc.

DIRECTOR

$25,000+

Laurie Major

The Scheidt Family Foundation

SouthWorth Capital Management, LLC

Tennessee Arts Commission

PHILANTHROPIST

$15,000+

At Home Memphis & Mid South Magazine

Kristi & James Carmichael

First Horizon Bank

Hampton Inn & Suites

Germantown

nexAir

BENEFACTOR

$10,000+

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare

Joel & Ann Parker

Savannah's Food Co.

The Village at Germantown

UNDERWRITER

$5,000+

Susan & Damon Arney

ArtsMemphis

Bellano Dental Health

Clarice W. Cox

Duncan-Williams Asset Management

Germantown Presbyterian Church

Kelly Jo & Mitch Graves

Cara & Justin Grinder

Sharon & Lee Grinspan

International Paper

Dorothy O. Kirsch

Je rey F. & Emily McEvoy

Dr. Norris & Lauren McGehee

Carol & Mike Ross-Spang

South Arts, Inc.

Jo Vail

Abbie & Duncan Williams

PATRON

$2,500+

Sheila & Carlton Anderson

AutoZone

Dr. Neal & Joey Beckford

The Belz Foundation

The Honorable George H. Brown Jr.

Preston H. Dorsett

Girl Scouts Heart of the South

Steve & Pam Johnson

Cathy & Patrick Lawton

Linda Milbradt

Lisa Myers

Sarah & Dr. Frank Ognibene

Alyce & Thomas Price

Matthew Rhoads

Kristen & Marshall Wright

Dr. Lisa & Kevin Young

FRIEND

$1,000+

Bo & Petra Adams

Cathy Anderson, Crye-Leike Commercial

archimania

Dr. Esmond & Pamela Arrindell

Susan & Bob Baker

Marilyn Barnes

W&a & John Barzizza

Samuel L. Beach

Sheila Betts

September G. Blain

Pam Blatch

Teresa & Eric Bolton

Charles & Diana Britton

Burch, Porter & Johnson, PLLC

Carol & Brendan Byrne

Ron & Susan Carlsson

Mike & Dotty Carter

Jennifer & Paul Chandler

Thomas Chu, M.D.

Donna & Roy Cohen

Casey Condra

Kenneth Cox

Dr. Chad & Rebecca Cullison

Ken & Nancy Dick

Drs. Brooke & Dwight Dishmon

Jan & Ted Donaldson

Mr. & Mrs. Edward Efkeman

Patti & Lew Ellis

John M. Farris

Jonathan & Jana Finder

Sondra & Bill Fondren

Diana & Mickey Foster

Ashley & Preston Frazer

Kathy & J. W. Gibson

Summer & Cecil Godman

Phil & Lori Goetz

The GPAC Guild

Grivet Outdoors

Dr. Malini Gupta

Dr. & Mrs. Ramesh C. Gupta

JoAnna & Armie Haines

Lindsey & Josh Hammond

Barbara Boone Hanemann

Mike Harless

David & Margo Holt

Pamela E. Ireland

Chuck Irwin & Saundra Messinger

Jim & Liz Jacobs

Mary & Mark Jenkins

Bill & Barbara Johns

Fred & Dorothy Johnson

Sandra Jones

Jolana & Hubert Jordan

Jay & Kristen Keegan

Andrea & Robert Kerlan

Cathy & Richard Kessler

Patricia & Gary Koester

Mr. Edwin Koshland, III

Susanne & Bruce Landau

Peggy C. Larkin

Dick & Jo Anne Leike

Jim & Linda Lloyd

Dr. Judith Soberman & Dr. Len Lothstein

Annette & Bill Mariencheck

Laura & Hank Martin

Barbara & George Mayo

Dr. Mary R. McCalla

Mr. & Mrs. David McDonnell

Judy & Mickey McLellan

Debbie & Robert Meyers

Joyce & Bill Miles

Leslie & Jed Mitchell

Katy & Patrick O'Connor

Susan Olsson

Nan Page

Honorable Mike Palazzolo

Emily & Adam Patterson

Frances & Gary Paulson

Cathryn & Glenn Perdue

Mary Katherine Redd

Marty Regan

Renasant Bank

Mr. & Mrs. Boyd L. Rhodes, Jr.

Meryl Shahun Rosen

Je & Lauren Rower

Jack & Gloria Scha er

Claire Revels Shapiro

Dr. & Mrs. Marvin Shapiro

Mr. & Mrs. John C. She eld, III

Kathy Simonetti

Rouben & Elizabeth Simonian

Roel & Cynthia Smit

Ann Schaefer Smith

Allyson Smothers

Tate Computer Systems, Inc.

Dr. Linda Tharp

Grace & Frank Uhlhorn

Jeanette & William H. Watkins, Jr.

Sarah & William H. Watkins, III

Cathy & Craig Weiss

Carol & Chip Westbrook

Pat & Jennifer Wilczynski

Robert L. Wilson

Eileen & Steven Wishnia

Ric & Gena Wolbrecht

Christine & Paul Woods

Wurtzburger Endowment Fund

Jocelyn Dan Wurzburg

Dr. Linda Kay Yates

BRAVURA

$500+

Carrie & Hudson Atkins

Margaret Bonnema

David & Patti Bradford

Diane Coons

First Horizon Foundation

Mary & Ricky Fortin

Samantha Hamner

Cicely & Scotty Hendricks

Christina Hester

Amy & Mac Jenkins

Dr. Reed Landau

Syd & Lauren Lerner

Matt May

Kent McKee

LuAnn Noelke

Evelyn Ann Parbery

Bob Pinstein

Mr. & Mrs. Je rey B. Presley

Chris Roetker

Mr. Mike Russell

Joel Scha er & Dr. Kristin Hall

Michelle & David Scully

Russ Severino

Trish & Buzz Sorce

Tracy M. Speake

Jim Springer

Mr. Asan G. Tejwani

Kathy & Paul Tuberville

Briselda & Marc Van Lieshout

Cherie Waggener

Nadia Fares White

OVATION

$250+

Melany Auricchio

Judy G. Brown

Gene Cartwright

Phyllis Crockett

Germantown Women's Club

Alderman Sherrie Hicks

Michelle & Rodney Higdon

Sally & Rocky Janda

Jack B. Treas

David Witzman

All gifts, of any size, make a di erence! Special thanks to everyone who made a commitment to support GPAC last year - by contributing to the annual fund, joining one of our membership societies, sponsoring a table at the gala or making a gift specifically intended to support our arts education programming. YOUR support matters!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

LATIN SOUL AWARDS

SATURDAY SEP 10TH 6PM

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of the Latino community. To start the celebration, Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group, in collaboration with The Grove at GPAC, will host the Premios Alma Latina (Latin Soul Awards). The Premios Alma Latina recognizes members of the Latino community and their allies for their achievements, leadership, and support in making the Mid-South a better place to live. Join us to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! P.S. Don’t miss the Latin music, food, and vendors!

GERMANTOWN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

SUNDAY OCT 16TH 3PM

YOUNG ARTISTS CONCERT

SATURDAY DEC 10TH 7PM

HOLIDAY DREAMS

The Germantown Symphony Orchestra, GPAC’s resident community orchestra, is a diverse, self-governed, all-volunteer organization that is a microcosm of the community it serves. The Germantown Symphony Orchestra is committed to promoting young artists and to serving the community in many ways. It performs numerous annual concerts at GPAC in its classical season, including the acclaimed Holiday Concert, and represents the city of Germantown with outreach concerts each season in many communities throughout the Mid-South.

GPAC YOUTH SYMPHONY PROGRAM

SUNDAY NOV 20TH 2022 4PM

& SUNDAY APR 30TH 2023 4PM

Now in its 13th season, The GPAC Youth Symphony Program (GYSP) gives opportunities for young musicians across the Mid-South to perform musical masterworks under the direction of experienced conductors and teachers, improve upon their technique, learn basic music theory, work with an ensemble, and interact with professional guest artists performing at GPAC. With four distinct ensembles, GYSP’s excellent music education fosters musical growth with an emphasis on the interconnectedness of art, music, culture, history, and society. Through this program, our students are equipped with the tools to become the next generation of music advocates, educators, performers, and patrons. For more information, see Ensemble Programs (pg. 22)

MADONNA LEARNING CENTER

FRIDAY DEC 15TH 7PM

& SATURDAY DEC 16TH 7PM

The Madonna Learning Center Christmas play has become a must-see show during the Christmas season. It is a time of excitement, anticipation, and joy for the students and adults as they demonstrate their abilities on stage in front of a sold-out crowd. The Madonna students and adults perform the play as a way to give back to a community that openly and graciously gives to them. This year, the play is titled Still Believe From the first show to the final curtain, families and friends will be entertained and enlightened by the pure joy of the students and adults as their spirit shines forth in their performance. Purchase tickets early!

GET INVOLVED AT GPAC

GET INVOLVED AT GPAC

Generous community support, individual donors, and volunteers make it possible for GPAC’s musical and educational programs to grow and flourish. There are many ways to take part in the life of GPAC. Explore the following opportunities and get involved.

GPAC ARTS EDUCATION FUND

Since 2006, GPAC has reached over 40,000 children through a variety of arts education programs both at GPAC and in the surrounding community. In order to sustain current arts education programs and support new initiatives, the GPAC Arts Education Fund was launched in the spring of 2016. The fund supports GPAC’s education and outreach programs, scholarships for the GPAC Youth Symphony Program, and art grants for Germantown nonprofits. Please contact Emily Hefley at 901-751-7665 or emily@gpacweb.com for information or to make a donation.

THE GUILD

The Germantown Performing Arts Guild is an organization of women who share the common interest of promoting the arts in our community. Guild members o er their time, talents, and consistent support for the many varied activities at GPAC. In addition to supporting the arts, the Guild members also support the community; a favorite activity is an annual dinner, prepared by members, to recognize and honor our First Responders. The Guild meets at GPAC the third Monday of each month. For information about joining this innovative group, contact Michelle Higdon, Guild President, at 901-871-3842

EXECUTIVE BOARD

2022-2023

Michelle Higdon PRESIDENT

Peggy Larkin

VICE PRESIDENT

Joyce Miles

SECRETARY

Kim Weaver

TREASURER

Judy Brown

PARLIAMENTARIAN

Margaret Briscoe ADVISOR

MEMBERS

Leigh Alvares

Brenda Antwine

Marilyn Barnes

Karen Broadway

Lucie Calvin

Susan Carlsson

Wanda Claro-Woodruff

Sharon Dertien

Marilyn Dinardo

Kate Dixon

Barbara Dodge

Mikki Du ey

Lissa Duston

Lynn Fleming

Margaret Garland

Pamela Gossett

Malinda Grisanti

Joanna Haines

Michele Haines

Cindy Tinker

Hancock

Paddy Harris

Elizabeth Hobson

Jane Jones

Lili Jones

Debbie Kuykendall

Amy Linthicum

Pat McCaleb

Nancy McComas

Jennifer Park

Diane Peterson

Tish Pierce

Sue Riccardi

Pamela Rumble

Kathy Russo

Pat Scroggs

Rieta Selberg

Courtney Sexton

Ann Smith

Jane Speed

Nicky Tarchala

Jo Vail

Evelyn Ward

Mary Welsh

Dot Wieters

Beth Williams

Angie Wynn

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Nancy Dick

Bonnie Everson

Sharon Grinspan

Louise Jacobson

Mary Miesse

Kathy Pascover

Dorothy Steen

Linda Wood

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Becoming a volunteer is a great way to be a part of world-class concerts, make new friends, introduce The Grove to the community, and contribute to the continued success of GPAC. For more information, contact: Jasmine Hirt, Facility Services Coordinator, at 901-751-7670 or jasmine@gpacweb.com

2022-2023 VOLUNTEERS

Kyla Anderson

Jack Applegate

Courtney Archer

Marykay Ball

Egypt Berry

Shirley Boyd

Patty Brasfield

Sam Bryant

Linda Busby

Florence Caillier

Margaret Caufield

Sarah Chandler

Ingeborg Clark

Charles Clark

Frances Coard

Jan Colbert

Otis Cole

Kim Constantinides

Bess Currie

Linda Dalton

Richard Davenport

Traci Denton

Lance Denton

Mary Dickerson

Susan Dreyfus

Ryan Duncan

Bethann Easterly

Jeanne Ellett

Hayden Ellis

Je Fenton

Rochelle Fenton

Don Forsee

Eileen Foster

Don Gamblin

Ann Geissler

Myra Gill

London Gizelle

Paula Hardman

Jean Harper

Paddy Harris

Betty Harris

Sharon Hawkins

Robert Henegar

Dawnell Hindelang

Matt Holzmacher

Yvonne Housley

Ti any Howlett

Veda Howse

Ka'Jayla Jones

Tess Joyce

Mary Kay

Val Kelly

Lauren Kissinger

Chuck Lanza

Gwyneth Lee

Jayne LeGro

Danielle Marie Lester

Diana Lester

Kay Lindamood

Denise Little

Niall Manganar

Victoria Mathews

Ciara Mathis

Teresa McCall

Peggy McDonald

Jean McElrath

Jimmy McGarrity

Mandy McKay

Patsy Newton

McLaughlin

John Miller

Donna Moore

Regina Morton

Michelynn Moss

Sally Nickle

Dorothy Nickoley

Billie Owen

Debbie Parker

Bucky Parker

Frances Paulson

Sylvia Poll

Barbara Posner

Judi Potter

Betty Reschenberg

Elena Ross

Jenna Seavers

Kimberly Settle

Bledsoe

Elizabeth Sharp

Mark Sharp

Susan Sharp

Hiram Shepard

Carolyn Shepard

Marc Sherman

Jack Simmonds

Carol Sims

Glendale Slater

Mark Stanford

Suzanne Stanford

Nancy Stoll

Michael Stoll

Catherine Swain

Sue Tackett

Shirley Terry-Lewis

Sarah Tillery

Pat Underwood

Oulavanh Tida

Vichathep

Lisette Widmer

Keith Wiley

Nancy Wiley

Caren Yarmuth

Alice Zalon

ART EXHIBITIONS

GPAC celebrates the visual arts by exhibiting a diverse collection of artwork by emerging and professional artists from around the region. The Lobby Gallery is free and open to the public during business hours and on days of performances.

For more information, please contact Patricia Cooper, Visual Arts Coordinator, at 901-834-2255

FALL VISUAL ART EXHIBITIONS

Phyllis Boger

OPENS MID-AUGUST

Erica McCarrens OPENS EARLY OCTOBER

Amy Hutcheson

OPENS MID-NOVEMBER

SPONSORED BY SouthWorth Capital Management

Phyllis Boger

Erica McCarrens

Jack Kenner

Jin Powell

Amy Hutcheson

SUPPORT THE ARTS

WITH A TENNESSEE SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATE

Arts unify communities and strengthen the economy. The Arts can promote healing, spark joy and invoke innovation. When you purchase your new specialty plate a portion goes directly to funding arts organizations in Tennessee through grants provided by the Tennessee Arts Commission. On average, 80% of TN arts grants are funded by your specialty license plate purchase. Show your support and go to Tn4Arts.org to learn more today!

JOIN US AT GPAC

NOVEMBER 12, 2022

@7:30 PM

“A Soldier’s Tale”

Featuring Iris Collective Chamber Orchestra Andrew Grams, conducting

Honoring our country’s brave servicemen and women through a retelling of Stravinsky’s classic.

APRIL 29, 2023

@7:30 PM

Featuring Iris Collective Orchestra Michael Stern, conducting Steven Banks, saxophone

Presenting a stellar concert with Steven Banks, winner of the 2022 Avery Fischer Career Grant.