250927 DPAA Program Book - John Williams & With Friends, For Friends

main character energy 2025–2026 SEASON

DAYTON BALLET

DAYTON PHILHARMONIC

DAYTON OPERA

BRANDON RAGLAND

KEITARO HARADA

KATHLEEN CLAWSON

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

MUSIC & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

DR. TROY TYNER & DR. INGRID BROWN CHAIR

SPONSORED BY BARBARA N. O’HARA

DR. RON ANDERSON & ROBB SLOAN-ANDERSON CHAIR

concer ts and even ts September

Queens of Soul November 8

Garrick Ohlsson Plays Rachmaninoff 2 September 19 & 20

Canadian Brass November 22

John Williams & Friends September 27

December

October

Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Winter Concert

With Friends, For Friends

December 7

October 3 & 4

The Nutcracker

Giselle

December 13–22

October 10–12

Handel’s Messiah

November

December 16

The Nutcracker: Sensory Friendly

Bizet’s Carmen

December 17

November 1 & 2

Young People’s Concert: A Kaleidoscope of Sight and Sound November 5

Dayton Ballet School Ensemble: Momentum November 8

Visit our website for more information

Dayton Philharmonic Junior Strings & Youth Strings: String Sound November 16

Table of Contents First Timers’ Guide ....................... 4 Today’s Program ........................... I Artistic Directors ......................... 8 Philharmonic Musicians ............ 13 Company Dancers ...................... 10 Our Members ............................. 17 Opera Artists-In-Residence......... 10 Corporate/Foundation Partners.....22 Studio Company Dancers ........... 11 Board of Trustees and Staff......... 23 2

Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

‘25–26 Edition 1

President and CEO Patrick Nugent with Artistic Directors Brandon Ragland, Kathleen Clawson, and Keitaro Harada

Dear Friends FROM THE LEADERSHIP

This season is a moment of celebration! For the first time, Maestro Keitaro Harada takes the podium as Music and Artistic Director of your Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, leading us into an exciting new era of music-making. His artistry and vision join the brilliance of our opera and ballet companies to create a season that is as vibrant and inspiring as the community we share it with.

From the drama of opera to the grace of ballet and the power of the Philharmonic, our stage will shine with performances that honor tradition while embracing fresh possibilities. Each program is crafted to move, to thrill, and to remind us of the joy that only live performance can bring.

Most of all, this season is a celebration of you—our audience. Your presence and passion transform every note, every gesture, and every story into something unforgettable. We are thrilled to share this milestone year with you, and we invite you to join us as we begin a new chapter, together.

With excitement,

Patrick J. Nugent President and CEO

Joseph Zehenny DPAA Board Chair

daytonperformingarts.org

(937) 228-3630

3

s i s i th your e n e c s

4

Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

‘25–26 Edition 1

FIRST TIMERS’ GUIDE

Is this your first time at a DPAA event? If so, welcome! To ensure your visit is meaningful and enjoyable, we offer the following resources.

Box Office The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance proudly partners with Dayton Live for its box office services. Contact the box office at (937) 228-3630 or visit the office in the Schuster Wintergarden.

Restrooms / Family Restrooms Restrooms are available on each level of the Schuster Center and Victoria Theatre.

Local Dining Make it a night on the town! We recommend the following dining options: Bistecca, Blind Bob’s, Grist, Joui, Lily’s, Lucho, Meadowlark Restaurant, Mudlick Tap House, Salar Restaurant and Lounge, Sueño, Table 33, and Wheat Penny Oven & Bar. Lost and Found / Security In the event you lose an item at a performance or require assistance from the security team, call (937) 637-7366. For the safety of those in the audience, behind the scenes, and on stage, everyone who enters the performance space is required to pass through metal detectors.

Accessibility DPAA is committed to providing easy access to the arts. If you have any specific needs or questions, please contact the box office.

Audio description is available upon request for patrons who have vision loss. Describers provide a live, objective, descriptive delivery of the visual elements of a performance in between the dialogue and/or music via a small receiver.

Requests must be received two weeks prior to an event and are subject to the availability of the Describer. Arrange by calling the box office.

Questions?

For additional ticket questions or information, contact our Engagement & Patron Services Manager, Kate LaFollette at (937) 535-5443.

Assistive listening devices are available for all performances. Borrow a device from the kiosk in the lobby or from a house manager.

Sign language interpretation is also available upon request for performances at the Schuster Center and Victoria Theatre. Requests for sign language interpretation must be received two weeks prior to the event and are subject to the availability of the Interpreter. Please call the box office to make arrangements.

Age Recommendation Our events are recommended for age 6 and up.

Military Appreciation and Discount Programs In addition to our standard military discount, DPAA offers a Military Appreciation Program for active-duty military members, retired veterans with ID cards, and WPAFB government civilian employees in the region. Each household may receive four free tickets annually. Contact the box office to redeem.

Group Sales Groups of 10 or more can save up to 30% on tickets! Contact Engagement & Patron Services Manager, Kate LaFollette, at (937) 535-5443.

daytonperformingarts.org

(937) 228-3630

5

6

Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

‘25–26 Edition 1

Keitaro Harada’s Inaugural Season The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance would like to acknowledge Trustee Barbara N. O’Hara for her generosity and vision.

Barbara was the catalyst for bringing Maestro Keitaro Harada to the Dayton Community. We wish to thank her and the following donors for their generosity: Barbara N. O’Hara Patricia & Peter Torvik Mary & Tim Riordan Grismer Tire Company Barbara & Leib Lurie Christy & Michael Manchester Mary Boosalis & Thomas Olsen The Mary H. Kittredge Fund of The Dayton Foundation

daytonperformingarts.org

(937) 228-3630

7

Artistic Directors

Kathleen Clawson,

Keitaro Harada

Kathleen Clawson is a distinguished director, performer, and educator whose career has been defined by her deep commitment to opera. Clawson’s extensive directing work includes over 20 productions for the Dayton Opera and a long-standing association with The Santa Fe Opera, where her credits include staging two world premieres, and staging the Apprentice Scenes for over two decades.

Armed with intensity and depth, Keitaro Harada consistently provides riveting concerts and opera performances in Asia, the Americas, and Europe. As Music and Artistic Director of the Savannah Philharmonic since 2020, Harada has transformed the orchestra and energized its audiences throughout the community with his imaginative programs and charismatic presence.

Clawson first came to Dayton as a soloist with the Dayton Philharmonic.

Now a retired mezzo-soprano, she performed with opera companies and orchestras throughout the country, and performed in musical theatre, including the “Mother Abbess” in an international tour of The Sound of Music.

In 2024, Harada was named Permanent Conductor of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Partner for the Aichi Chamber Orchestra, and he begins a five-year tenure as Music and Artistic Director of the Dayton Philharmonic in the 2025–26 season.

He has forged a close connection with the NHK Symphony Orchestra with whom he appears frequently and has recorded three albums. Harada is a recipient of the 2023 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award.

Artistic Director, Opera; Dr. Ron Anderson and Robb Sloan-Anderson Chair

A passionate advocate for arts education, she served as the Associate Director of The Santa Fe Opera’s Apprentice Singer Program for ten years and mentors the Dayton Opera Artists in Residence.

8

Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

Music and Artistic Director, Philharmonic; Sponsored by Barbara N. O’Hara

‘25–26 Edition 1

Brandon Ragland

Artistic Director, Ballet; Sponsored by Dr. Troy Tyner and Dr. Ingrid Brown

Brandon Ragland has more than a decade of professional experience as a dancer, choreographer, and educator. He trained in Birmingham, AL, and has a bachelor’s degree in Dance-Arts Administration from Butler University. After graduation, Ragland danced with Alabama Ballet, followed by Louisville Ballet in 2010, spending 13 years as a leading artist.

A respected choreographer, Ragland choreographed works for Louisville Ballet, Alabama Ballet, Ballet Arkansas, AROVA Contemporary Ballet, Next Generation Ballet, Sedona Chamber Ballet, and The Perla Ballet. In 2017, Ragland was honored to perform with the Black Iris Project at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of the Kennedy Center’s Dance Across America Program. He has received numerous awards, including “Best Artist” in Louisville Magazine and The Lift a Life Foundation’s “Emerging Leader in the Arts Award” from The Fund for the Arts. daytonperformingarts.org

(937) 228-3630

9

Dayton Ballet Company Dancers

Connor Barak

Claire Bergman

Nicolas Bierwagen

Erin Blair

Tomasin Corrente

Emma Duncan

Alyssa Eyster

Hailey Flanagan

Jasmine Getz

Katy Gilliam

Isaac Jones

Patrick Lennon

Tarique Logan

Kyan Park

Maxwell Peters

Lukas Pringle

Francisco Rivera

Belle Urben

Catherine Voorhees

Christian Chester

Dayton Opera Artists-In-Residence

Malone Blaich

10

Isabel Randall

Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

Aaron Hill

‘25–26 Edition 1

Evan Fleming

Clara Passmore

Dayton Ballet Studio Company

Xochitl Atienza

Sara Beth Austin

Daniela Bennetti

Amber Huggett

Mollie Juniewicz

Jaiden Morley

Ryan Norman

Elizabeth Sabol

Isabelle Wilwayco

Dara Schlesinger

Join the EnCorps!

Friends of the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

Want to support DPAA in a more handson way? Join the EnCorps, the official volunteer organization for the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance. Volunteers are vital to DPAA’s operations, and through their passion, they ensure that everyone in our community has the opportunity to fall in love with the performing arts.

Join at daytonperformingarts.org/volunteer

daytonperformingarts.org

(937) 228-3630

11

12

Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

‘25–26 Edition 1

John Williams & Friends September 27, 2025 • Schuster Center ARTISTS Richard Kaufman, conductor Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra

PROGRAM John Williams

The Raiders March from Raiders of the Lost Ark Music from Far and Away Theme from Schindler’s List “Harry’s Wondrous World” from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Love Theme from Superman March from Superman Flying Theme from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial - INTERMISSION “Flight to Neverland” from Hook “If We Were in Love” from Yes, Giorgio Theme from Jaws Imperial March from Star Wars Yoda’s Theme from Star Wars “The Rise of Skywalker” from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Main Title from Star Wars

Today's Program

I

About the Artist

Richard Kaufman Conductor

Richard Kaufman has devoted much of his musical life to conducting and supervising music for film and television productions, as well as performing film and classical music in concert halls and on recordings. He holds the title of Principal Pops Conductor Laureate of the Pacific Symphony, having served as Principal Pops Conductor for over three decades. Kaufman led performances on the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s series “CSO at the Movies” for nearly twenty years. He holds the permanent title of Pops Conductor Laureate of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

One of the world’s leading conductors of film music, Kaufman regularly appears with the symphony orchestras of New York, Cleveland, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Atlanta, St. Louis, Toronto, Indianapolis, and San Diego. Abroad, Kaufman has longstanding relationships with the orchestras of London, Liverpool, Dublin, and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.

II

Today's Program

In 2015, Kaufman made his debut with the Boston Pops, stepping in for John Williams at the Annual Pops Film Night, and Williams invited Kaufman to share the podium at the annual Tanglewood Film Night in August 2016. In July 2016, two days before its official theatrical release, Kaufman conducted the San Diego Symphony in a live performance of Michael Giacchino’s new score for Star Trek Beyond, accompanying the film in its gala world premiere in IMAX. Kaufman received the 1993 GRAMMY Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. In addition to his two recordings with the Nuremberg Symphony, he has recorded multiple CDs with the London Symphony Orchestra, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and the Brandenburg Philharmonic in Berlin.

He has conducted for performers John Denver, Andy Williams, Mary Martin, Nanette Fabray, Sir James Galway, Diana Krall, Chris Botti, The Beach Boys, Peter Paul and Mary, Amy Grant, Robert Goulet, David Copperfield, The Righteous Brothers, and Art Garfunkel.

As a violinist, Kaufman performed on numerous film and television scores including Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Saturday Night Fever, and (in a moment of desperation) Animal House. He has recorded with artists including John Denver, Burt Bacharach, Neil Sedaka, The Carpenters, and Ray Charles.

Kaufman joined the music department of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios in 1984 as Music Coordinator, and for the next eighteen years supervised music for MGM, eventually serving as Vice President of Television Music. He received two Emmy Award nominations, one for The Pink Panther and another for All Dogs Go to Heaven.

With Friends, For Friends October 3 & 4, 2025 • Schuster Center ARTISTS Neal Gittleman, conductor Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra

PROGRAM A.K. Jaquith

Containing the World: Dreams of Mahler (World Premiere)

Steven Winteregg

Dante's Journey, A Concerto for Orchestra (World Premiere)

1. Inferno: The Dark Forest–Gates of Hell–The Lukewarm– The Wrathful–Francesca–The Violent–Deepest Hell– Satan in Ice 2. Purgatorio: The Shores of Purgatorio–The Proud–The Slothful–The Avaricious–The Lustful–Early Paradise– Beatrice 3. Paradiso: Paradiso Souls–Ascending the Heaves–Swirling Angels–The Empyrean–Deep Ocean of the Infinite - INTERMISSION Michael Schelle

EXIST (World Premiere)

Edward Elgar

Variations on an Original Theme, “Enigma,” Op. 36 1. Enigma 2. C.A.E. 3. H.D.S.-P. 4. R.B.T. 5. W.M.B. 6. R.P.A. 7. Ysobel 8. Troyte

9. W.N. 10. Nimrod 11. Intermezzo: Dorabella 12. G.R.S. 13. B.G.N. 14. Romanza: *** 15. Finale: E.D.U.

Neal Gittleman is the Bill & Dianne Schneider Endowed Guest Artist.

This performance is sponsored by Grismer Tire.

The Masterworks series is made possible with the support of Steve and Lou Mason.

The Media Sponsor is Discover Classical 88.1 WDPR/89.1 WUSO/89.9 WDPG.

Today's Program

III

Neal's Note the Music Director functions on two different levels. First, it’s a performance for you, our beloved audience. Second, it’s part of a larger, long-range plan for the ensemble’s development. But when you’re a guest conductor—as I am this week—my only priority is to give beautiful, compelling renditions of the four pieces listed on tonight’s program page. That 100% focus on the music of just this one performance is—for someone who’s been Music Director for the past three decades— wonderfully liberating.

Neal Gittleman Conductor

For most of my tenure as Conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic, I replaced (at my wife’s insistence) the standard “been-there-did-that” conductor’s bio with a non-traditional performer’s biography. Since I retired from the DPO in July, now would seem to be the perfect time to revert to the usual listing of career accomplishments.

Nah! People ask me how I’m enjoying retirement now that I’ve been off the clock for the past three months. My answer is, “I’m loving it!” But to be honest, I don’t think it’ll feel like I’m really retired from the Orchestra until after this weekend, after this “With Friends, For Friends” program is in the books.

Returning to the podium after 30 years of performances and just a quarter-year of retirement feels comfortable—just like old times. But it’s also a little strange.

Conducting a concert when you’re IV

Today's Program

Tonight’s program is unusual—three world premieres plus an “old chestnut.”

Actually, it was originally conceived as three separate programs, each built around a single world-premiere work.

When we decided to compress the timing of the Gittleman-to-Harada transition, those three program ideas got compressed into the line-up you’ll be hearing. And I think it works great!

Mike Schelle, Steve Winteregg, and Austin Jaquith are three living American composers whose music I’ve conducted many times with the Philharmonic, and Edward Elgar’s “Enigma” Variations has been one of my favorite pieces of music for ages. Combining three new works by these longtime friends and collaborators with Elgar’s musical “ode to friendship” seems the perfect way to celebrate my three-decade friendship/love affair with our Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra.

About the Program Containing the World: Dreams of Mahler A.K. Jaquith (b. 1980)

From A.K. Jaquith, Composer COMPOSED “Containing the World: Dreams of Mahler compresses 2025 the dramatic arc that Mahler often follows in his PREMIERE symphonies into the proportions more fitting for a October 3, 2025; miniature. Why would anyone do this? To a certain Dayton, OH degree, this is a set piece of comedic origins. Neal once suggested to me—and I suspect in more jest than APPROXIMATE DURATION seriousness—that I should write a piece featuring the 7 minutes DPO’s custom Mahler 6 Hammer of Fate for the pure fun it. Regardless of how serious his intentions were, I wasn’t going to let that opportunity sit idly by, so I jumped on the idea with my full energies. Of course, writing a short work using such a grand symbolic lodestar was a bit pretentious, even contradictory. Particularly when Neal asked for a positive, upbeat piece! In the end, I leaned into the idea of two contrasting but similar words: Fate vs. Destiny. One has a negative, tragic connotation. The other, far more positive and hopeful. Thus, in this work, the Hammer of Fate becomes the Hammer of Destiny. Just as in Mahler 6, the third hammer blow was seen as a tragic seal of impending disaster (and omitted in Mahler’s final version), in this piece, the third hammer blow represents my well wishes for a joyous and positive destiny both for Neal as he begins a new chapter in his life, and to the performers of the DPO as they begin their own new chapter with Maestro Harada. With this piece, I would like to express my deep gratitude for everything Neal has meant to me hashing it out as a composer in the Miami Valley. Without his assistance multiple times at key inflection points, life as a composer would have been infinitely more dreary this past decade-and-a-half.”

Dante's Journey, A Concerto for Orchestra Steven Winteregg (b. 1952)

From Steven Winteregg, Composer “Dante’s Journey employs the Romantic idea of literature inspiring music. It also uses the absolute concept of a concerto to show off the capabilities of an instrument. In this case, it is a concerto for orchestra that shows off the entire orchestra and its different sections and combinations.

COMPOSED 2024 PREMIERE October 3, 2025; Dayton, OH APPROXIMATE DURATION 30 minutes

“The composer read The Divine Comedy by Dante to fill in perceived gaps in his education. While many people know musical references to The Divine Comedy, few have read the work Today's Program

V

in its entirety. This masterpiece is in three books: I. Inferno, II. Purgatorio, and III. Paradiso, and lends itself very well to the traditional three-movement concerto form. It follows a person’s journey to the depths of hell, the climb up through purgatory, and finally to the exaltation and peace of heaven.

“Since all three movements describe different locations, each movement uses a different musical universe to describe these contrasting places. The Inferno uses Scriabin’s “mystic chord” as its basis, which is very fitting since Scriabin was a mystic who bordered on evil. The second movement, Purgatorio, uses the octatonic scale, capable of either dissonance or consonance, which is appropriate for the purging of the soul to prepare it for the purity of heaven. Paradiso uses stacked intervals of perfect fifths to create an entirely different sound from those found in the previous two movements.

“The composition is a musical journey that mirrors the literary trek. The outer movements are musically descriptive of the people and locations which are encountered. One needs to be careful in the purgatory section as the music appears to be opposite of the subtitles. For instance, one would expect “The Slothful” to be slow and cumbersome; however, it is very fast and racing because if reflects the punishment used to correct the slothful of their deficiencies in preparation for heaven.”

EXIST

Michael Schelle (b. 1950) From Michael Schelle, Composer COMPOSED “After decades of writing mostly wild, edgy, eccentric, 2024 violent, aggressive, and “modernist” music (and PREMIERE enjoying every minute of it!)—for example, The End October 3, 2025; of Al Capone (opera); wind ensemble pieces such as Dayton, OH Guttersnipe, When Hell Freezes Over, Seven Steps from APPROXIMATE Hell, The End of the World, Hangover Hotel, and Bullet DURATION Train to Hell; orchestra pieces such as Virus, Trapped 7 minutes Like Rats, The Fifth Horseman of the Apocalypse, Escape from Xishuangbanna, Extraction on No. 8, Ear Infection, Summit at San Quentin; and chamber pieces such as JUKAI: The Mt. Fuji Suicide Forest, Kingfish Levinsky, Cut and Run, Rosemary's Baby's Accordions, Bury the Hatchet, and The Eisenstein Mummers—I just really wanted to write a simple, engaging string orchestra piece.

“Although there are brief moments of gentle reflection in many of my pieces—like extended peaceful moments of hope and resolution in Resilience (2015, double concerto for viola, cello, and orchestra on the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Mvmt. 3: Blast of Silence),and in Mvmt. 3 (After Afterlife) of The End of the World (2011)—my last completely “nice” piece was Prayer (2004) for cello, chamber winds, piano, harp and percussion.

“While this is certainly no Barber, Britten, or Tchaikovsky string piece (although VI

Today's Program

Tchaikovsky's Sixth is briefly referenced near the end), for me, this is all quite illuminating, cleansing, resolving, and affirming. At long last, a piece that doesn't cause fear, anxiety and emotional paralysis!

“EXIST was written for my dear friend and decades-long champion of my music, Maestro Neal Gittleman for his 2025–2026 farewell DPO concert. Neal has programmed many of my big, aggressive pieces in the past, so this time I wanted to close our decades of collaboration and friendship with music of genuine respect, sincere gratitude, deep affection, cautious optimism, nostalgic reflection, resolution, and peace.”

Variations on an Original Theme “Enigma,” Op. 36 Edward Elgar (1857–1934)

From Neal Gittleman, Conductor Enigma (Theme) Instead of calling the theme of these variations “Theme,” Elgar called it “Enigma.”

In his program note for the premiere, Elgar said, “The enigma I will not explain—its ‘dark saying’ must be left unguessed.” The theme is something Elgar noodled at the piano on October 21, 1898. His wife liked it and asked what it was. His answer: “Nothing— but something might be made of it…” The score is dedicated to “my friends depicted within,” but no full names are given, just initials and nicknames!

COMPOSED 1899 PREMIERE June 18, 1899; London, UK LAST DPO PERFORMANCE January 2014; Neal Gittleman, conductor APPROXIMATE DURATION 31 minutes

Variation I: C.A.E. Caroline Alice Elgar, the composer’s wife. The Enigma Theme is in the flute, clarinet, second violins, and violas with other melodies and filigrees surrounding it. A little figure in the oboes and bassoons is based on an affectionate whistle that Elgar would use to get C.A.E.’s attention.

Variation II: H.D.S.-P. Hew David Steuart-Powell, an amateur pianist who loved to noodle rapid passages on the white notes of the piano—easy to play but very impressive sounding. Teasingly, Elgar fills the variation with rapid chromatic passages that H.D.S.-P. would probably have found impossible to play! The Enigma Theme appears as a countermelody in the cellos and basses.

Variation III: R.B.T. Author, scholar, and eccentric Richard Baxter Townshend loved to sing in a quavery falsetto. Elgar imitates his singing in the solo oboe. The middle section evokes R.B.T.’s habit of telling outrageous stories with increasing volume and agitation.

Variation IV: W.M.B. William Meath Baker, a bossy neighbor, fond of entertaining friends and acquaintances in his manor house. Elgar depicts W.M.B. gruffly announcing to his guests the planned schedule for the day, turning on his heels, and exiting with a slam of the door. The variation is gruff and to-the-point, like W.M.B. himself.

Variation V: R.P.A. Richard Penrose Arnold, son of poet Mathew Arnold. Elgar says that “his serious conversation was continually broken up by whimsical and witty Today's Program

VII

remarks.” The variation begins seriously, then turns whimsical. You can almost hear R.P.A.’s laughter in the woodwinds.

Variation VI: Ysobel Isobel Fitton, an amateur violist whose technical downfall was jumping from one string to the other. Elgar gives the violas that kind of stringcrossing melody right at the beginning, but he makes amends with a beautiful viola solo in the middle of the variation.

Variation VII: Troyte Arthur Troyte Griffith —architect, artist, and stage designer.

Elgar captures his exuberant character in a short energetic variation.

Variation VIII: W.N. Winifred Norbury, Secretary of the Worcestershire Philharmonic Society, assisted Elgar by proofreading his scores. Elgar said this variation was inspired by the 18thcentury house Winifred shared with her sister Florence and that in the music, “the gracious personalities of the ladies are sedately shown.”

Variation IX: Nimrod August Johannes Jaeger was Elgar’s publisher and one of his closest musical collaborators. The variation evokes a discussion they had about the beautiful slow movements of Beethoven. Nimrod was the “mighty hunter” of the Bible and “Jaeger” means “hunter” in German.

Variation X: Dorabella (Intermezzo) Dora Penny Powell “Dorabella,” whom Elgar called after the character in Mozart’s opera Cosi fan Tutte. Dora had a slight stutter, which Elgar gently evokes in the woodwinds’ hesitating rhythm. In the final bars, her stutter is cured!

Variation XI: G.R.S. Dr. George Robertson Sinclair, organist of Hereford Cathedral, was very proud of his bulldog, Dan. One day, G.R.S. and Elgar were walking with Dan along the River Wye. G.R.S. tossed a stick into the river. Dan jumped in, paddled to the stick, grabbed it, scampered up the river bank, and let out a triumphant bark. G.R.S. turned to Elgar and said, “Set that to music!” In the first seven seconds of this variation, Elgar did just that!

Variation XII: B.G.N. Barrister Basil George Nevinson preferred practicing the cello to practicing law, so the cellos (solo and section) take the lead.

Variation XIII: *** (Romanza) This is perhaps Lady Mary Lygon, a close friend of Elgar’s who was, at the time, on a boat bound for Australia. A solo clarinet quotes Mendelssohn’s Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, while a soft timpani roll imitates the thrumming of an ocean liner’s engine.

Variation XIV: E.D.U. (Finale) E.D.U. is Elgar himself. (Mrs. E.’s nickname for him was “Edu”—pronounced “EE-doo”). The finale is a march, a grand self-portrait with a brief echo of Variation I (Mrs. Elgar) appearing halfway through.

VIII

Today's Program

Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Musicians VIOLIN I

Photo to come Zulfiya Bashirova Concertmaster1

Aurelian Oprea Associate Concertmaster2

Youjin Na, Acting Assistant Concertmaster3

Elizabeth Hofeldt

Mikhail Baranovsky

Louis Proske

Sean Klopfenstein*

John Lardinois

Kirstin Greenlaw, Principal4

Kara Camfield, Assistant Principal

Ann Linn Baer

Maggie Niekamp

Yoshiko Kunimitsu

Bill Slusser

Sheridan Currie, Principal5

Colleen Braid, Assistant Principal

Karen Johnson6

Photo to come David Goist

VIOLIN II

Philip Enzweiler*

Scott Moore

Gloria Fiore

VIOLA

Yein Jin*

daytonperformingarts.org

(937) 228-3630

13

Scott Schilling

Lori LaMattina

Mark D. Reis

Leslie Dragan

Belinda Burge

Jonathan Lee, Principal

Christina Coletta, Assistant Principal7

Molly Castrucci8

Lucas Song9

CELLO

BASS

Mark Hofeldt

Nadine Monchecourt

Oleg Babkov*

Zoë Moskalew

Deborah Taylor, Principal10

Jon Pascolini, Assistant Principal

Stephen Ullery

Christopher Roberts

James Faulkner

FLUTE AND PICCOLO

Photo to come Jennifer Northcut

Janet van Graas

Bleda Elibal

Elvin Schlanger, Principal11

OBOE AND ENGLISH HORN

CLARINET

Eileen Whalen, Principal12

14

Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

Robyn Dixon Costa

‘25–26 Edition 1

John Kurokawa, Principal13

BASSOON

HORN

Rachael Young, Principal14

Kristen Smith15

Aaron Brant, Principal16

TRUMPET

Amy Lassiter

Todd Fitter

Photo to come Eric Knorr

Charles Pagnard, Principal17

Sean Vore, Assistant Principal

TROMBONE

Photo to come

Christian Pagnard

Tyler Bentley, Acting Principal18

TUBA

TIMPANI

Chad Arnow19

Timothy Northcut, Principal20

Richard Begel

Photo to come Hamza Able Principal21

PERCUSSION

HARP

Michael LaMattina, Principal22

Davi Martinelli de Lira23

Jerry Noble

KEYBOARD

Leslie Stratton, Principal24

Joshua Nemith, Principal25

daytonperformingarts.org

(937) 228-3630

15

Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Endowed Chairs * 1 2 3

Denotes leave of absence J. Ralph Corbett Chair Huffy Foundation Chair Sherman Standard Register Foundation Chair 4 Jesse Philips Chair 5 F. Dean Schnacke Chair 6 Grace Counts Finch Chair 7 Edward L. Kohnle Chair in Memory of Andra Lunde Padrichelli, Principal Cellist 2003–2018 8 Gilbert and Patricia Templeton Chair 9 Paul and Susanne Weaver Chair 10 Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer Association/C. David Horine Memorial Chair 11 Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer Association Chair 12 Catharine French Bieser Chair 13 Rhea Beerman Peal Chair 14 Robert and Elaine Stein Chair 15 David and Lois Gribler Chair 16 Frank M. Tait Memorial Chair 17 John W. Berry Family Chair 18 John Reger Memorial Chair 19 Bill and Wanda Lukens Chair 20 Zachary, Rachel and Natalie Denka Chair 21 Rosenthal Family Chair in Memory of Miriam Rosenthal, In Honor of Donald Donnett, Principal Timpani 1966–2023 22 Miriam Rosenthal Chair 23 Richard A. and Mary T. Whitney Chair 24 Daisy Talbott Green Chair 25 Demirjian Family Chair

Members Make the Magic!

DPAA Members keep the classical arts thriving in Dayton with their annual donation—join the community now!

Give Today Inspire Tomorrow

16

Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

‘25–26 Edition 1

Our Members Make the Magic!

Special thanks to all our DPAA Members who keep the classical arts thriving in Dayton with their annual donation.

IMPRESARIO ($100,000+) Anonymous Paul & Dolores Anderson Steve & Lou Mason Barbara N. O’Hara Jesse & Caryl Philips Foundation Peter & Patricia Torvik Dr. Troy Tyner & Dr. Ingrid Brown AFICIONADO ($50,000+) Kate & Steve Hone ELM Foundation Linda W. Lombard & Paul W. Marshall VIRTUOSO ($25,000+) Thomas & Frances Bankston John & Kathleen Beran Janice Culver & Eugene Kurtz Neal Gittleman & Lisa M. Fry Luke & Juanita Lovell Raymond & Sue Merz Tim & Mary Riordan Miles & Linda Schmidt Bill & Dianne Schneider Larry & Abbie Trittschuh Betsy B. Whitney Walter & Marcia Wood LUMINARY ($10,000+) Anonymous (4) Dr. Ron Anderson & Robb Sloan-Anderson Drs. Charles & Mary Bane Ann Barr Thomas E. Bettcher Catherine Clark Jim Crosset John & Allyson Danis Richard M. DeLon Dr. Charles & Patricia Demirjian Dr. Grace L. DeVelbiss Jane A. Dunwoodie Debra Edelman* Vernon & Janet Fernandes Stanley C. & Ann* Herr Michael A. Houser Dr. Wallace Johnson & Karen Duguid

Michael & Judith Kreutzer William* & Wanda Lukens Barbara & Leib Lurie Dr. Michael & Christine Manchester Kenneth & Darrell May Mike & Peggie McQuiston Dale & Karen Medford Dr. Jeffrey & Susan Mikutis Dr. Thomas G. Olsen & Mary Boosalis Cathy Ponitz Dr. David H. Ponitz Milt & Dawn Ross Jonah Sandler Matthew J. Scarr Pamela & Andrew Schwartz Richard & Jane Schwartz David Strohscher Cynthia Uhl Dr. Byron & Theresa Wade William & Carolyn* Winger Philip G. Wise & Dr. Joe Law Brian & Sandra Woodruff Kathleen & Joseph Zehenny CENTER STAGE ($5,000+) Anonymous Nirmala Abraham & Scotty Blackburn Mary L. Arnett David & Esther Battle David & Maria Berry Dr. Gwen L. Brubaker Thomas & Joan Burkhardt Kathleen Clawson Daniel & Linda Deitz William DeVenzio & Linda Short Pat & Dave Diven Thomas P. Gratto & Dr. Sharon D. Gratto Jonas & Susan Gruenberg Charlie Hardwick Constance A. McKale Anna Jones Monnett Kenneth Quinter Dr. C. Daniel & Kathy Raisch Colleen M. Ryan William & Diane Schaff Barbara Schmider

Thomas F. Skelley & Sharon Lindquist-Skelley Tony Talbot & Mark Duffy Bill & Penny Wolff OVATION! ($2,500+) Anonymous (3) Mr. Joshua E. Adams Dr. Walter & Martha Adams Margy Anderson Dan & Vicky Archibald Karl & Sandy Ayers Ronald Bernard & Dr. Judith E. Woll M.D. Dr. Bob Brandt, Jr. Charles & Susan Bridgman Michelle Bryant & Alek Kohut Christopher & Barbara Coombs John & Martha Culp Dr. Robert & Lisa Custer David & Charlene Dutton Sue Falter Marilyn R. Fischer Thomas & Nancy Gaudion John & Andrea Gillespie Mrs. Carol Graff Mr. Donald & Mrs. Janet Grieshop Dr. David & Pamela Griffith Jane Heavin & David Hammond Jon & Marge Hazelton Donald & Lori Heinrich Jessica & Derek Huggett Dr. Michael A. Jaffe M.D. Leora K. Kline Paul & Carol Lamberger Mark Levy & Lisa Becker Dr. William & Kathy Lindahl The Mark Andrew Kreusch Memorial Fund Drs. Jerry Clark & Barry McCorkle Judy D. McCormick Susan B. McCoy & Allen Kennedy Pat & David McDonald David McElwee William Mitchel Mark Olson & Barbara Furyk-Olson Bill & Carmen Perry

daytonperformingarts.org

(937) 228-3630

17

Dr. Robert & Anita Rankin Dominick & Margaret Rinaldi Bill & Ann Schuerman Richard & June Smythe Lois & Roger Sutherland Fred & Chris Tokarz Dr. Edward & Tracey Tomme Sharon A. Tschudin Michael Tyrchniewicz & Dr. Rachael Courtney Paul & Susie Weaver Dr. Gary B. Pacernick & Peggy Weller James & Tami Whalen Lt. Col Robert* & Nancy Wilda Thomas & Sharon Williamson Tim & Miriam Wood BRAVO! ($1,000+) Anonymous (12) The Albert & Nancy Freudenberger Fund Bruce & Karen Anderson Jo & Matt Anderson Shirley Ark Ellen Bagley Zachary Beck Lois & Donald* Bigler Dan & Mary Bowman Dr. Thomas & Suzanne Brown Mr. Ronald F. Budzik & Ms. Barbara A. Hayde Janet Burke Patrick Martin & Eva Buttacavoli Allen & Mary Byrum Barbara J. Campbell Charles & Claudia Cornett Rebecca & Lawrence* Corson Karen & Gary Crim Kelly H. Dalton Susan & Bryan Daly Kathleen Daly Joyce E. Dean & Mary Ellen Batiuk Susan DeLuca Rosario & Helen Demers Mark Dlott & Dale Goldberg Mr. C. Bruce Driver Mrs. Sue Dugan Dr. Margaret M. Dunn & Dr. William A. Spohn Susan & Robert Ellefson The Fraze Family Fund Joseph & Martha Gardner Garry & Mindy Greene Douglas Hahn & Melody Goodwin Dr. Bruce & Mayumi Hall John C. Halpin & Dorothy B. Dick Thomas Hanley Bob Hanna

18

Richard & Mary Harstad Mr. Anthony Haugrud Delbert & Virginia Herbeck The Holland Family Trust Ellen Holroyd Jeffrey Huntington Tyron & Frances Inbody Corey Damen Jenkins & Associates Craig & Margarete Jennings Sandi Simmons & Tom Jonak Norma Keefer Dr. Brian & Linda Kent Dr. R. Alan Kimbrough Chuck Knickerbocker Jon & Susan Kreusch Kathryn Lamme Wayne & Mary Jo Langguth Susan J. Lauf Dr. James T. Lehner & Hon. Peggy Lehner Franklin & Cheryl Lewis Kathryn MacVeigh Amy Radachi & Tom Maher Moni & George Malacos Frank & Linda Mannarino Kevin & Mary McDonald Marc & Melissa McNulty Thom & Penni Meyer Arthur D. Mills Jr. Helen C. Potter Shannon Joyce Neal & Philip Neal John & Ruth Neely Dianne & Les Niemi John Phillips Todd Press Robert & Cynthia Puskar James Kurek & Linda BlackKurek Mary Yerina & Bob Redfield Charles & Alice Roedersheimer Patricia Roth Donald & Julia Routson Richard & Katharine Schaefer Alan & Beth Schaeffer Winnie Scholl Charles V. Simms Catherine J. Skardon Stephanie Skelley Gaynelle M. Spiegel Joan Stonitsch Rick & Tawnya Stover Jeri & John Tate Dr. Charles Taylor & Kim E. Iconis Mary T. Tymeson Sharon Vander Gheynst, D.M.E. Jud & Julie Wallner K Wiedeman & L Elliott-Sowers Merle Wilberding & Susan Elliott

Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

‘25–26 Edition 1

Janice Finch Willhelm John & Jane Winch David & Sarah Wrazen Dr. Daniel Zehringer Dr. David Zelmon & Dr. Mojgan Samardar FELLOW ($750+) Anonymous Michael & Karen Armstrong Michael Bachmann & Mary Combs Martha L. Bell Charles Bradford Dr. Charles & Mrs. Barbara Cerny Richard E. Considine & Stanley Dixon Jill & Dale Courte Carl & Barbara Denison Rebecca Dianis Carol & Don Erwine Pam & Ron Eyink Elizabeth Frye Lt. Col. Frank & Diane Gentner, USAF Ret. Terri & John Jon & April Hale Barbara & Edward Hennessey William & Carol Herrick Fred & Sharon Hill Patricia Horvath Dr. Caroline H. Kennebeck-Hale & Mr. Brian L. Hale Jean Kessel Kenji & Misao Kurokawa Amelia Lombardo Joyce McDonald Perry Nystrom & Susan K. Henry Greg & Michele Palmer Harold Poppe & Dale Schmidt William C. Quinn Carolyn J. Ray Randy Ray & Cleanne Cass Mrs. Frances S. Repperger David A. Saelens, Ph.D. Southwest Ohio Home School Band Bob & Toni Sprinkel Terry & Diane Torbeck Dr. Roberts & Mrs. Lynn Wood Dr. Virginia Wood Susan & Randy Woods Carol Jean Yegerlehner

daytonperformingarts.org

(937) 228-3630

19

Neal Gittleman’s 30th Anniversary as Artistic Director and Conductor In celebration of Neal Gittleman’s 30th Masterworks season (2024–25) and his farewell concerts on October 3 and 4 (2025), these generous friends have contributed in his honor.

Anonymous (1) Patricia & Peter Torvik Harry A. Toulmin, Jr. and Virginia B. Toulmin Fund of the Dayton Foundation Dr. David Ponitz & Cathy Ponitz Drs. Mary & Charles Bane Ann Barr Kathleen L. Clawson Janice Culver & Eugene Kurtz Dr. Charles & Patricia Demirjian Grismer Tire Company Karen Duguid & Wally Johnson in honor of the friendship between Anne Johnson and Neal Gittleman

20

LION Barbara & Leib Lurie Christy & Michael Manchester Kathy & John Beran Mary Boosalis & Thomas Olsen Rochester Community Foundation Pamela & Andrew Schwartz Cynthia Uhl Betsy B. Whitney Sandra & Brian Woodruff Matthew J. Scarr Judy D. McCormick The Mary H. Kittredge Fund of The Dayton Foundation Linda & Miles Schmidt

Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

‘25–26 Edition 1

Dianne & Bill Schneider Marcia & Walter Wood Colleen M. Ryan Frances & Thomas Bankston Linda & Daniel Deitz Richard M. DeLon Marge & Jon Hazelton Darrell & Kenneth May Carolyn & Paul Flanagan Leora K. Kline Haley-Sibbing Family Tina & Mike Spaulding Linda Bales Todd & Richard Todd Dr. Hans & Cheryl Zwart

Neal Gittleman conducts the final Masterworks concert of his 30th Season in June, 2025

daytonperformingarts.org

(937) 228-3630

21

Corporate and Foundation Partners We thank our corporate and foundation partners for their support of DPAA’s mission, programs, and artists.

IMPRESARIO AES Ohio Foundation The Kettering Family Foundation Virginia W. Kettering Foundation Miriam Rosenthal Foundation for the Arts Schiewetz Foundation Harry A. Toulmin, Jr. and Virginia B. Toulmin Fund of the Dayton Foundation MAESTRO The Charles D. Berry Foundation The Berry Family Foundation VIRTUOSO Dayton Freight Bill and Jackie Lockwood Fund to Support Opera LEGATO All The Best Delicatessen Cox First Media/Dayton Daily News Dayton Aerospace Kettering Health The Mary H. Kittredge Fund of The Dayton Foundation Marriott University of Dayton The Shubert Foundation The Troy Foundation The Nick and Edna Weller Charities, Inc. CONCERTO Arts Consulting Group Bob Ross Auto Group Discover Classical 88.1 WDPR/89.1 WUSO/89.9 WDPG Grismer Tire Company Hotel Ardent & Bistecca iHeartMedia Mathile Family Foundation WGUC Classical 90.9 ARIA Cox Media Group/WHIO The Disability Foundation Houser Asphalt & Concrete The Iddings Foundation LION Lockwood Family Foundation ThinkTV Thompson Hine

22

Dayton Performing Arts Alliance

Victory Wholesale Group and the Kantor Family WYSO Public Radio SONATA The Allegro Fund of The Dayton Foundation Centerville-Washington Foundation Crown Equipment Corporation Johnson Investment Counsel The Charles F. Kettering Foundation The Kuntz Foundation Nova Creative PNC Sinclair Broadcast Group University of Dayton INTERMEZZO AES Ohio Appliance Gallery Dayton Coolidge Wall The Dayton Hydraulic Co. Enterprise Roofing Harlamert Foundation Henny Penny KeyBank Knack Video + Photo League of American Orchestras Sam Levin Foundation LexisNexis McCutcheon Music Merrill Lynch Morris Home Opera America Pickrel, Schaeffer & Ebeling Square One Salon and Spa The Synergy Schade Team Taylor Corporation OVERTURE The African-American Community Fund M&M Title Co. Requarth Lumber Company The Rubi Girls Taft Voss Auto Network ADDITIONAL MAJOR SUPPORT PROVIDED BY: Ohio Arts Council Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District Culture Works The Dayton Foundation

‘25–26 Edition 1

Board of Trustees and Staff OFFICERS Joseph Zehenny​, Chair Patricia McDonald​, Vice Chair Rev. Joshua Ward​, Secretary Rodney Veal, Assistant Secretary Timothy Riordan​, Treasurer Patrick Martin, Assistant Treasurer Ed Tomme, Immediate Past Chair

Michelle Mastin, Conductor, Philharmonic Junior Strings Sharon Neumeister, Company Teacher and Rehearsal Assistant Rachel Cahayla Wynne, Rehearsal Director and Dayton Ballet Studio Company Manager DEVELOPMENT Elaine Gounaris, Vice President for Philanthropy Allie Haines, Director of Philanthropy Lynnette Ivey, Director of Institutional Giving Anne O’Hara, Development Operations Manager

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dr. Nirmala Abraham Dr. Ron Anderson Libby Ballengee Dr. Zachary Beck Ashley Bethard Sarah Burns Jim Butler Christopher Coombs Allyson Danis Dr. Samuel Dorf Mary-Kathryn Haddad Kathy Harper Michael Howard Dr. Xavier L. Johnson Scott Jones Robyn Lightcap Peggie McQuiston Shannon Joyce Neal Barbara N. O’Hara Dori Spaulding John Tate Rick Thie Abbie Trittschuh Dr. Daniel Zehringer

LEARNING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Jeaunita Ìféwándé Château Olówè, Vice President for Learning and Community Engagement Jacqueline Griffin, Learning Programs Manager Melissa McCoy, Engagement Programs Manager Megan Forney, Dayton Ballet School Education Manager; Co-Director of Dayton Ballet School Ensemble Gabrielle Sharp, Co-Director of Dayton Ballet School Ensemble Elizabeth Sabol, Ballet School Registrar Vicky Archibald, Ballet School Receptionist MARKETING Brittany Laughlin, Vice President for Marketing and Audience Development Olivia Budde, Marketing Coordinator James Mikolajewski, Marketing and Patron Acquisition Manager Kate LaFollette, Engagement and Patron Services Manager

ARTISTIC DIRECTORS EMERITUS Thomas Bankston, Opera ADMINISTRATION Patrick J. Nugent, President and CEO Teri Warwick, Chief Financial Officer Michael Sieveking, Chief Information Officer Milena Treer, Chief of Staff ARTISTIC Kathleen Clawson, Artistic Director, Opera Keitaro Harada, Music and Artistic Director, Philharmonic Brandon Ragland, Artistic Director, Ballet Isaac Selya, Interim Staff Conductor Steven Hankle, Director, Philharmonic Chorus Carolyn Sweezy, Manager, Philharmonic Chorus Maureen Hickey Haitch, Conductor, Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and Youth Strings

OPERATIONS Chris Brislin, General Manager Lyn Baudendistel, Wardrobe Supervisor Josephine Baudendistel, Costume Assistant Kelly DeLisle, Artistic Administrator Maureen Hickey Haitch, Librarian Kay O’Connor, Assistant Production Manager/ Resident Stage Manager Sean Vore, Orchestra Personnel Manager Katie West, Production Coordinator/ Assistant Librarian The stagehands of IATSE Local 66 The wardrobe members of IATSE Local 886

daytonperformingarts.org

(937) 228-3630

23

G E N E R O U S LY S U P P O R T E D B Y HARRY A. TOULMIN JR. AND VIRGINIA B. TOULMIN FUND OF THE DAYTON FOUNDATION BILL AND JACKIE LOCKWOOD FUND TO SUPPORT OPERA MARY H. KITTREDGE FUND OF THE DAYTON FOUNDATION

ADDITIONAL MAJOR SUPPORT PROVIDED BY