VPO Holiday Program 2022

HOLIDAY -CELEBRATION-

WHITNEY

on The Sharon®L. Morse

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Dear Patron of the Arts

,

Welcome to The Sharon® L. Morse Performing Arts Center!

Much like the building’s namesake, my grandmother, Sharon L. Morse, we love all varieties of the performing arts here. It is in her memory that I, along with my amazing team of artists and arts administrators, strive to bring many different types of the highest quality entertainment here to The Sharon.

Since opening in 2015, we have strived to establish your trust, that a show at The Sharon is a show worth seeing. Perhaps you find yourself here today to see a concert of one of your favorite musicians, or to take in the national tour of a Broadway show. Either way, we encourage you to consider trying out a new show that perhaps you haven’t heard of before, knowing that it has been intentionally curated by our team.

We welcome you to The Sharon: a place for you to see an old favorite, but also a place to discover your new favorite. I sincerely hope you enjoy the show today, and I look forward to seeing you here again soon!

See

You at The Sharon,

W hitney Morse Artistic Director

A NOTE FROM THE MAESTRO

Dear friends and patrons,

It was a wonderful experience conducting Handel's Messiah at The Sharon on November 29th.

The participation of an extraordinary audience created incredible emotions among the musicians, the choir and our guest soloists. The Messiah narrates the nativity, and with this concert, your orchestra begins its festive, holiday musical celebration in the month of December.

With our next concert, the VPO will celebrate the Christmas tradition performing timeless songs that bring back memories, give us so much emotion and the hope of an ever more beautiful tomorrow. It is with this thought that I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a 2023 full of love.

Musically yours, Pasquale Valerio

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

A special thank you to our December sponsors:

Blackston Financial Advisory Group – December 18 Royal Décor – December 19

"Ave Maria" by Caccini

"I’ll Be Home for Christmas"

"The Chanukah Song" "The Christmas Waltz"

"I Believe In Christmas" "Winter Wonderland" "Merry Christmas Darling" "Grown Up Christmas List" "Blue Christmas"

"The Man with A Bag"

INTERMISSION

"Adeste Fideles" "The Christmas Song" "White Christmas"

"Do You Hear What I Hear" "Believe"

"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" "Holly Jolly Christmas" "Mary Did You Know"

"It’s the Most Wonderful Time" "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" "Sleigh Ride" "O Holy Night"

MAESTRO'S BIOGRAPHY

PASQUALE VALERIO, MAESTRO

Pasquale Valerio is the creator, nurturer, mentor, and guiding light for The Villages® Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorale. Pasquale was born in Naples, Italy and began his music studies at the age of 9. He began studying Trumpet Performance at The N. Puccinni Conservatory of Music graduating in 1985. His studies were not limited to trumpet, but included Applied Complementary Piano Studies, Harmony, and Lectures from Maestro Filippo Veniero, who was his guide and mentor from 1967 to 1989. His adult musical career began during his national service as a member of the Carabinieri (Italian Military Police). Fortunately for his musical development, most of this was with the Band. After his discharge, he began studying conducting. Pasquale Valerio served as an apprentice under Sir Antonio Pappano for 6 years. Pasquale followed him all around the world from 2006-2011 and learned directly from the Conductor of the Royal Opera House in London. To that end, Pasquale believes fully in the magic of education through music, and that children are never too young to start discovering to power of harmony.

In 1996, Pasquale relocated to the United States continuing his conducting studies with J. Whitney and Günter Schmidt. In 2004, he became the Founder and Music Director of The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra where he continues to serve today. Maestro Valerio was also the founder of Lake Sumter Chamber Orchestra as well as co-founder and conductor of The Florida Lakes Symphony from 20052006. Pasquale has been regularly invited as a guest conductor at the Orchestra Filarmonica 900', Teatro Regio, and the Viotti International Music Festival.

FEATURED ARTISTS

ALFREDA GERALD

Alfreda Gerald can best be described in one word..."Powerhouse"!

A graduate of The Juilliard School, Alfreda has performed with Sir Elton John, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Cher, Yanni, and many others. She can be seen in the blockbuster movies Madea's Witness Protection, The Hate You Give, The Detour, and Game of Silence. Currently, Alfreda is on a world tour with her award-winning show, Respect! A Tribute to Aretha Franklin.

MARCELLA RICHARDSON

Marcella Richardson started her singing career in northern Michigan, Torch Lake area, at a family restaurant called Brownwood. She went on to travel with a 10-piece show band that started from Brownwood called TORCH. She continued to travel the country performing and eventually formed her own groups with partners based out of Atlanta, GA. She has also done radio, TV jingles, and commercials. Eventually moving her business to The Villages, FL, in 2010 she started singing in The Pops and Holiday Concerts with The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra. Along with performing with The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra, she studies and competes in ballroom dancing.

ALIXANDRA MOLNAR

Wisconsin native lyric-soprano Ali Molnar performs with numerous companies in and around the central Florida area in various genres from classical to popular music, including opera and musical theater. She has a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance with an emphasis in opera and musical theater from Capital University in Columbus, OH. Ali has made her unique mark on such roles as Jeannie in The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Kate Monster in Avenue Q, Cindy Lou in The Marvelous Wonderettes and Winter Wonderettes, Nimue in Camelot, and The Foreign Woman in The Consul. She has performed with such auspicious groups as Opera Tampa, Opera Orlando, Gaylord Palms Resort, Busch Gardens Tampa, TheatreWorks Florida, Dickens Carolers, Penguin Entertainment, Generation Productions, Central Florida Vocal Arts, and Opera del Sol. She has also sung with a number of orchestras including The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra, the Imperial Symphony Orchestra, and the

FEATURED ARTISTS

Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, where she sang alongside such iconic performers as Fernando Varela and Andrea Bocelli. You can see her perform as Storyteller 1 in Gaylord Palms Resort’s Christmas offering The Greatest Story this holiday season.

DEVIN M. EATMON

Devin M. Eatmon is a full lyric operatic tenor from Ocala, FL. His performance history includes working with the Central Florida Lyric Opera, Chelsea Opera, Opera in the Ozarks, Aspen Music Festival, most recently Opera Colorado, and soon to be Opera Orlando. With both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Voice Performance from Florida State University; Devin studied under the tutelage of former San Francisco Opera staring baritone, David Okerlund. Some of Devin’s most notable collegiate roles include, George Villiers in the Scholastic Premier of Carlisle Floyd’s, Prince of Players, Rodolfo in Giacomo Puccini's, La bohème, Curley in Floyd's, Of Mice and Men, and Edgar Aubrey in Heinrich Marschner’s German Romantic opera, Der Vampyr. Mr. Eatmon accepted a contract offer to be a member of the Apprentice Singer Program at The Santa Fe Opera in the summer of 2020 however, it was postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. While at Opera Colorado, he was to cover the role of Don José in their production of Georges Bizet’s, Carmen however, the season was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, Mr. Eatmon is a member of the new operatic/pop fusion trio, The Serenad3, with America’s Got Talent finalist, Fernando Varela as well as internationally acclaimed OperaNews baritone, Craig Irvin. The group has already received critical acclaim having collaborated with some legendary artists, such as David Foster, Gloria Estefan, American Idol’s, Pia Toscano, and the A Capella sensation, Voctave. Devin is currently living in Orlando, FL and is looking forward to future endeavors with The Serenad3 as well as Opera Orlando.

SEAN CHRISTOPHER STORK

Sean Christopher Stork, lyric baritone, has been singing across the state of Florida since graduating from Florida State University in 2007, including regular engagements with Opera Tampa as well as First Coast Opera in St. Augustine, The Florida Lyric Opera in Tampa, and The Villages Philharmonic, Imperial Symphony, and Orlando Philharmonic Orchestras. A strong supporter of modern music, his original works have been recorded on two CDs by the Basilica Choir of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe. Mr Stork is currently performing across the country with Diversita

FEATURED ARTISTS

Opera Arts Company, Opera Tampa, The Villages Philharmonic Orchestra; Orlando Philharmonic; The Hudson Valley Chorale; Orlando Harmony; Orlando Exchange; the Dickens Carolers; and the Basilica Choir of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe.

NORMAN LEE SHAFFER

As a lifelong entertainer, Norman Lee has raised the bar, bringing a faith based presentation to a population striving to find substance in their daily lives. Based out of Central Florida, Norman has toured across the country for many years, performing on concert stages, charitable events and churches. He has appeared on numerous local and national television shows and his music has national radio air play. Norman has opened up for such acts as George Jones, Kenny Rogers, The Temptations, Lou Rawls, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Brenda Lee, Travis Tritt, Lori Morgan, Loretta Lynn, Marty Stuart, Ray Price, Juice Newton, The Judds and LeAnn Rimes. Norman Lee the singer songwriter is a charismatic performer whose music appeals to all ages. His music combines Praise and Worship, Contemporary Christian and Gospel into one spirit filled sound.

MARK RAISCH

Originally form New York, now located in Central Florida, Mark Raisch entertains in performing art centers, resort communities, symphonies, country clubs, and private events up and down the east coast. His solo performances are a mix between a concert, nightclub act, and comedy show. You’ll enjoy the greats from the 50’s through today – even adding in some country favorites.

Known for his superbly smooth vocals, you’ll love it when he sings hits by such contemporaries as Michael Bublé and greats from the "Kings of Cool", Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin and Elvis. Enthusiastic, yet relaxed, Mark keeps his audiences smiling and laughing through his performances. He has had the pleasure of performing for American Cruise Lines, in Brandon, MO, the NYC Friars Club, The Museum of Radio & Television, and so many wonderful venues. His CD’s have been aired coast to coast on ABC National Radio Network and numerous internet radio programs.

ORCHESTRA ROSTER

FLUTE

Eva Moreno, Principal Michelle Territo

OBOE

Charles McGee, Principal

CLARINET

Jason Gibbs, Principal BASSOON

Christopher Eberle, Principal FRENCH HORN

Chase De Carlo, Principal Nicholas Burner

TRUMPET

John De Paola, Principal Tarcisio D’Addona, Co-Principal

TROMBONE

Andrea Rowlison, Principal Jeremy Fielder

BASS TROMBONE

Anthony Hill

TUBA Robin Sisk TYMPANI

Christopher Nolin

PERCUSSION

Jordan Holley DRUM SET Simon Ramos

PIANO/KEYBOARD

Sergei Kossenko

FIRST VIOLIN

Stewart Kitts, Concertmaster Marius Tabacila Michael De Jesus José Guedez Israel Méndez Chaeyoung Son Baoling Xu

SECOND VIOLIN

Gregory Carreño, Principal Elizabet Kitts Luisamar Navarro Natalie Kitts Yenifer Laurens Vladimir Sklyarov

VIOLA

Lisa Suslowicz, Principal Andrea Oliveira Francia Laurens Carlos Medina

CELLO

David Calhoun, Principal Valentina Espitia Hernandez

Petar Kacenovici Joseph Hamlet

DOUBLE BASS

Luis Luna,Principal Mickey McCabe

VPO DONORS 2022-23 CONCERT SEASON

ORCHESTRA CIRCLE

$10,000+

Anonymous Donor

Joe & Marlene Borda

Margaret M. Dick

Maurice & Betsy Joy

MAESTRO CIRCLE

$5,000 – $9,999

Augusto Bernardini

Crysberg Inc.

Linda Ferens

Charlotte & John Gates

Diane Kupchak

Mary Thomas Dean & Audrey Throndsen

Don & Bonnie Waggoner

SYMPHONY CIRCLE

$2,500 – $4,999

Avrum Abramowitz

Janice Barone

Sarah Jordan

David & JoAnne Kelch

Peter & Mary Jane Moeller

Richard & Charlotte Rahm

CONCERTO CIRCLE

$1,000 – $2,499

Anonymous Donor

Anonymous Donor

Steve & Donna Bell

John Canner

Bonita Carnes

Dennis R. Carney John Collins

David & Jeanette Colvin

Roger & Julie Cooper

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph DeVuono

William & Judith Doran Carol Guglielm

Donald & Nancy Hickman Janet Howell

Phyllis Lachman

George & Carol Majestic

Doris Martin

George Neal

Darlene Pruett

Ken & Mary Shutts

Win & Christine Stringer

Richard & Sharon Williams

OVERTURE CIRCLE

$500 – $999

Richard Allgaier

Katheryn Batman Michelle Boone Charlotte Conway

Ruth DiMare

Richard Hoag

Noel Kott

William & Sharron Leonhirth

Robert & Sara McPhail

John Nickelson

Scott Sander

Norman Lee & Terri Schaffer

Paul & Dorian Schnirring

Joan Spires

Tony & Joanne Sutylo

Abbott Webber Anna Whipple

Keith & Randee Workowski

SUITE CIRCLE

$100 – $499

Bernie & Elizabeth Albrecht

Gene Armani

Donna Austin

Tim Barry Robert Becker

Jeff & Ursula Bergman

Frank & Linda Blews

Linda Boese

Carl & Doris Branson

Linda Casey

Todd Collins

Kenny & Elizabeth Constant Glenda Crandall

Thomas Davis

VPO DONORS 2022-23 CONCERT SEASON

Barbara Dipol

John & Bonnie Eckstein

Greg & Mary Feichtel

Jack & Nancy Fieldman

Mia Ford

William & Gail Fraser-Giacchi

Lisa French

Peter Fritz & Carol Mangan Fritz

Mary Ann Garback

Alan Geller

Greg & Carolynn Gilbert

Doris Goodwin

David & Kathleen Haviland

Dr. Bill Hole

Linda Holmes

Deborah Hurtt

Richard & Susan Jacobs

Richard & Charlene Kinder

Brad Koozman

Gregory & Bonnie Larson

Alma Macht

James McQuiniff

Nick & Donna Meister

Thomas Murphy

Fritz & Debbie Neal

Phillip Oliveira

Nancy Padden

Robert A. Phillips

Ron & Grace Ranger

Barbara Reynolds

John & Beverly Scott

Paul & Rita Segnatelli

Andrew Sloan

Rhoderic Soutar

Michael Spinelli

George Stenz

Karen & Lowell Stockman

Donna Thompson

Roy & Jackie Ullrich

Richard & Grace Waller

Robert & Joan Waller

Shannon & Brandon Waters

Jeffrey Wheeler

Theresa R. White

Bob & Debbie Wilson Sonya Wilt

Sunny & Roy Witt

Joseph & Ginger Wray Mary Yankowski

Joseph Zientara

ARIA CIRCLE

Up to $99

Barbara Athanasiou

Kathryn Bates

Irene Coen

Katheen Eikhof Arthur Elwood

Susan Escobedo Paul F. Gaecke

Kevin Gallagher

Jordan Galvarino

Brenda & Bob Gold

Valery Heyduk

K. L. Hoffman

Irene Hong-McAtee

Lora MacPherson

Joanne Michalski

Donald Mooty

Robert Muzzi

Patrice Pastore

Geraldine Piscitelli

Marianne Reinhard

Sally Rowe Erika Schaffer Kathryn Sleeper Joyce Smidt

Robert Smidt

Jack & Maryann Swisher C & H Van Benthuysen

Donald & Nancy Walker Eric Williams

MEMORIAL DONATIONS

Bill Barnes: Susan Escobedo

Fred Boyd: Frank & Janet Argenziano

Fred Boyd: Don & Janet Schiegel

Carolyn Johnson: Richard Johnson

KEEP YOUR BRAIN TOP OF MIND.

Whether or not I paid the cable bill.

Exact location of car keys.

Fig. 17 GREY MATTER

Neighbor’s daughter’s name.

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