NSO Big Ticket 2024: A Night at the Oscars

We acknowledge the province of Newfoundland and Labrador as the traditional territory of diverse Indigenous groups, and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit of this province.

We strive for respectful relationships with all the peoples of this province as we search for collective healing and true reconciliation and honour this beautiful land together.

ExxonMobil BIG TICKET: A Night at the Oscars February 23, 2024 | St. John’s Arts & Culture Centre Marc David, conductor Hosted by Dale Jarvis

PROGRAMME The Sound of Music - from The Sound of Music (1965) - Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra When You Wish Upon a Star - from Pinocchio (1940) - Emmajane Donnan 2 The Way You Look Tonight - from Swing Time (1936) - Timothy Matson 1 Que Sera, Sera - from The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) - Tessa Crosbie 1 The Godfather - from The Godfather (1972) - Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra Over the Rainbow - from The Wizard of Oz (1939) - Vicki Harnett Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head - from Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid (1969) - Bob MacDonald 1 Moon River - from Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) - Renée Antle 3 Pirates of the Caribbean - from Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) - Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra Shallow - from A Star is Born (2018) - Karla Pilgrim, Justin Nurse 1 Fame - from Fame (1980) - Melanie O’Brien 1

INTERMISSION Apollo 13 - from Apollo 13 (1995) - Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra Up Where We Belong - from An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) - Darrin Martin, Erin Winsor You’ll Be In My Heart - from Disney’s Tarzan (1999) - Pete MacDonald 1 The Way We Were - from The Way We Were (1973) - Shelley Neville 1 Schindler’s List - from Schindler’s List (1993) - Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra Streets of Philadelphia - from Philadelphia (1993) - Jodee Richardson 1 I Just Called To Say I Love You - from The Woman in Red (1984) - Baraka Abayo 1 When You Believe - from The Prince of Egypt (1998) - Dana Parsons, Michelle Doyle 2 (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life - from Dirty Dancing (1987) - All 1 Arrangements courtesy of Jim Duff 1, Jack Etchegary 2, Bill Brennan 3, and Marc David 4

ExxonMobil BIG TICKET

A Night at the Oscars

A NIGHT AT THE OSCARS

2

Dana Parsons is a radio host with Coast 101.1 by day and stage performer by night! With 2 original albums under her belt “It’s You, Not Me!” & “Within The Dark” she has received an ECMA nomination for, “Pop/ Rock Recording of the Year” and “The Galaxie Rising Star of the CBC” award. She is a graduate of Sheridan College’s Musical Theatre program. Dana is thrilled and honored to be performing for this year’s NSO Big Ticket show with such a beautiful song and awesome duet partner! Dana has been a member of The Spirit of NL for over 17 years, and she is gearing up for another busy show season with them!

Vicki Harnett - A Resident Artist with Terra Bruce Productions, Vicki was last seen in their production of The Wild Rovers, as well as “Christmas at The Majestic”. She had the pleasure of singing with the NSO in the 2023 Big Ticket: The Music of The Night, and back again for this year’s Big Ticket: A Night at The Oscars. Many thanks to everyone, onstage and off, who helped to bring this evening together, and to her nearest and dearest for their love and support.

Melanie O’Brien is a singer, songwriter & actor based in St. John’s, Newfoundland. She is Sheridan College Honours Graduate & scholarship recipient and MusicNL award winner. She released her debut album of original music in 2016 and toured across Atlantic Canada. She is part of the stylized duo, The Duds with Philip Goodridge and in 2020 they released their first EP. They have since released several singles including a Holiday collection. Melanie is currently a resident artist with Terra Bruce Productions. She played Liza in No Change in the Weather and recently, Princess Hiya in new musical, The Wild Rovers. Melanie is absolutely delighted to be singing with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra!

Shelley Neville - Born in St. John’s, NL, Shelley just spent a delightful summer in Gander playing the role of Beulah in the Broadway hit musical Come From Away. Shelley is committed to producing beautiful events for local audiences like her very popular annual Christmas show, O Holy Night. She is a founding member of the award-winning Spirit of Newfoundland Productions where she has been singing along side her singing partner Peter Halley for almost 30 years! Now she enjoys her days as a Professor at Memorial School of Music and as a sought-after clinician and adjudicator at music festival.

Baraka Abayo - From his home base of St. John’s, NL, Baraka is a soulful Pop/RnB Singer/Songwriter whose sound and spirit are sure to tug on the heartstrings of everyone who hears him sing. Originally hailing from the coastal city of Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania, Baraka has been performing and writing music since he was 14 years old. Drawing influences from artists such as Ed Sheeran, Ne-yo, Drake, John Mayer, and Tracy Chapman, he has a natural talent for writing clever lyrics and infectious melodies.

Tessa Crosbie has been singing most of her 75 years. Her first public appearance was on VOCM’s Uncle Harry Brown Talent Show. In the 60s and 70s she appeared in many musical theatre productions, such as The Music Man with Gordon Pinsent. After a 20-year hiatus she returned to the stage in TaDa’s production of Cabaret. Tessa help kick start the campaign of refurbishing the Holy Heart Theatre in SGM’s production of Steel Magnolias. She has been the opening act for TaDa’s Our Divas Do Christmas for the past 19 years. Tessa is delighted to once again be invited to sing with the NSO. Emmajane Donnan is a singer/songwriter who plays guitar, mandolin and ukulele. She sings with Shallaway Youth Choir, Holy Heart Trebles and Chamber Choir, and studies voice with Angela Warren.

She has appeared in local theatre productions including When the Angel of Death Says…How are You? (Lois Brown/Ruth Lawrence), Divas (TaDa), and recently in Sidewalk Dandelion (Shallaway/Kyle McDavid) and I Forgive You (Artistic Fraud). She also appeared in the feature films Away from Everywhere (2017) and Audience of Chairs (2018) and the short film Before the War (2014). In the past year Emmajane has performed at the NL Folk Festival, and at the City Concert Series at Harbourside Park. Emmajane would like to thank the NSO for this wonderful opportunity.

Pete MacDonald - Born and bred on the colourful shores of St. John’s, Newfoundland, Pete wears many hats – musician, writer, and producer. With a bachelor’s degree in music production from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, he’s now fully immersed in the arts world at his own Clyde Avenue Studios. Pete’s solo musical projects and contributions with the band “With Violet” have earned multiple MusicNL and ECMA nominations. Pete is overjoyed to be sharing the stage with the world-class musicians of the NSO and can’t wait to indulge in a night of Oscar-winning music. (Instead of just singing alone in his car…) So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

ExxonMobil BIG TICKET

A Night at the Oscars

A NIGHT AT THE OSCARS

3

Timothy Matson is a theatre artist and educator based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. As a performer, credits include Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Tada Events), Les Misérables (Atlantic Light Theatre), and many cabarets, readings, and workshops. Most recently, he played Oz and others in Come from Away in Gander. He is the Co-Artistic Director of Best Kind Productions and has directed several plays and musicals. Along with his wife Kiersten Noel, he wrote Second Shot – The Curling Musical, and the score for Girls from Away (Kitchen Party Theatre Festival). Timothy is a passionate arts educator and is currently Theatre Arts/Drama teacher at Mount Pearl Senior High.

Bob MacDonald has been warming hearts with his superb vocals for over thirty years. Bob MacDonald’s albums include: The seasonal favourite “Christmas with Class” A country recording “I’ve Known It All Along”, and a collection of favourite Newfoundland songs “Gold in the Water”. Bob MacDonald has been an active member of the Newfoundland music scene since 1968. He presently plays the nightclub circuit doing solo gigs and gigs with The Bob MacDonald Band and plays corporate and private parties. Throughout his career Bob has performed with numerous musical groups ranging from Jazz to Folk to Country. Through this experience Bob has compiled a strong and musical repertoire.

Justin Nurse is absolutely thrilled to be once again performing with this incredible group of musicians. In the past year Justin has been making his TV and film dreams a reality with roles on Lifetime, Hallmark and the Sci/fi channels. This past Christmas you may have My Christmas Guide or Merry Mystery Christmas? Or perhaps you may have seen werewolf dad in Surreal Estate? Keep your eyes peeled for his upcoming film work and (very soon) an episode of Hudson and Rex! Thanks to Justin’s wife Aimee and their girls Ella and Jozie for making nights like this possible. See you on the red carpet! (Justin would like to dedicate tonight to the late Kevin Lewis).

Erin Winsor was born and raised in St. John’s, NL. She is a graduate of CNA: Executive Administration Program and Sheridan College: Musical Theatre Performance Program; she recently became a Certified Dementia Care Provider™ and is currently studying to become an End-of-Life Doula. Erin has been performing with Spirit of Newfoundland since 2013 and has been seen in a variety of musicals in Newfoundland and Toronto and recently created and performed in By the Sea, a musical, sensory experience for people living with dementia (Old School). Erin is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Old School Intergenerational Projects, a charitable organization that creates opportunities for generations to connect through arts programs and performances.

Renée Antle - From jingles to jazz with lots in between, singer Renée trained classically, spent 9 years touring central and eastern Canada in various rock bands, after landing back in NL, where she fronted the Rick Hollett Jazz ensemble, joined the Ed Goff Big Band, the Jim Duff Little Big Band and the Bill Rose Blues Band. She has worked with most local jazz legends from (late greats) Ralph Walker and Leo Sandoval and with Paul Bendsza in the Mun Jazz ensemble. First known for cohosting CBC’s “Step to Stardom”, she joined the cast of TaDA Events’ Our Divas Do Christmas this year.

Karla Pilgrim - Three-time MusicNL award winner and two-time ECMA nominee, Roddickton, Newfoundland and Labrador native Karla Pilgrim has spent the last 15 years winning over audiences from coast to coast. In June of 2009, Pilgrim released her award-winning solo album ‘I’ll Think of You’. Pilgrim and friends formed country vocal trio The Secrets who released an award-winning country record; ‘Break Even’ and two Christmas albums. In 2022, after Pilgrim’s country trio, LadyLike, started to slow down she put together her first ever band. ‘Karla Pilgrim and The Mayflowers’. In 2024, she’ll release her first solo project and an Eva Cassidy Tribute in May. As a mom of three beautiful babies, Karla has enough inspiration to last a lifetime.

Michelle Doyle - Though she has traversed the globe for years as a singer with Holland American and Regent Cruise Lines, Michelle’s favourite port of call is St. John’s, where she is delighted to join her friends onstage tonight. Michelle is no stranger to the NSO having made her debut in 2014 with The Great American Songbook: The Suncor Energy Big Band Show, and recently performed in the 2022 Big Ticket: Casino Royale. She is a frequent guest with Lady Cove Women’s Choir, Spirit of Newfoundland, and Theatre St John’s and is honoured to support the humanitarian work of Team Broken Earth and A Dollar a Day Foundation. Michelle also commands an established record of event management and executive organization.

ExxonMobil BIG TICKET

A Night at the Oscars

A NIGHT AT THE OSCARS

4

Jodee Richardson is one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most diverse and dynamic performers. A renowned singer/songwriter, actor and playwright, Jodee enjoys traveling the province writing about the people he meets and the places he visits. He is dang thrilled to be working with the NSO on this project.

Darrin Martin, award-winning graduate of Visual Arts from College of The North Atlantic, is a full-time visual artist located in the scenic town of Torbay in Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada. He and his wife, Georgina, operate the studio and gallery known as NorthSide Studios NL. Together they homeschool their three daughters, Grace, Faith and Hope. Add in a zoo of pets, and you have the formula for a very colourful life! Darrin is also a well-known performer and musician throughout Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

These days he can be seen (and heard!) performing with Spirit of Newfoundland Productions, Our Divas Do Christmas, Sheila Williams Productions and at a variety of events through Newfoundland and Labrador.

Dale Jarvis - By day, Dale Jarvis is the executive director of Heritage NL, helping communities safeguard historic places and living heritage. By night, he is the proprietor of the St. John’s Haunted Hike ghost tour, and teller of local tales. Author of several books on regional folklore, he is a tireless promoter of culture and oral history, and is the regular host of Listen Up! - the NSO’s pre-show talk series.

ExxonMobil BIG TICKET

A Night at the Oscars

A NIGHT AT THE OSCARS

5

Violin 1 Heather Kao Andy Kao Ilyas Duissen Daniel Fuchs Gabriel Brodeur Natalie Finn

Violin 2 Nancy Case-Oates Carole Bestvater Elena Vigna Zhongli Hu Cathy Anstey Stewart Gillies

Viola Chantelle Jubenville Dominic Greene Rosaura Aguilar Norma Noseworthy Jonathan Stevenson Cello Nathan Cook Sandra Pope Amy Collyer-Holmes Laura Wakeman Pierre Kusters Laura Ivany Bass Frank Fusari Denise Lear Mario Miranda Nick Howlett Jim Vivian Matthew Hardy Flute Michelle Cheramy Donna Spurvey Oboe/English Horn Annie Corrigan Kathy Conway-Ward Clarinet Glenn Rice Brenda Gatherall Bassoon Grant Etchegary Nicole Hand Chris Williams (contra) Horn Emily Dunsmore Doug Vaughan Michelle Stevenson David Natsheh Trumpet Katie Sullivan Jill Dawe Christian Berglander Trombone Darren McDonald Erin Sullivan Bass Trombone Andrew Cooper Tuba Olive MacPhail Harp Sarah Veber Percussion Rob Power Etienne Gendron Amy Parsons David Kerr Piano Brian Way Guitar Brad Jefford Drums Etienne Gendron Bass Frank Fusari

ExxonMobil BIG TICKET

A Night at the Oscars

A NIGHT AT THE OSCARS

6

Delivering staffing solutions to projects in Newfoundland & Labrador for nearly 30 years.

www.nsbomega.com Locally Owned

A STANDING OVATION FOR ALL OUR SUPPORTERS

NSO Board

NSO Staff Marc David, Music Director/Conductor Hugh Donnan, CEO Lynn Ann Pye, Patron Relations Manager Jennifer Brennan, Education & Outreach Coordinator Maria Penney, Marketing & Development Manager Dominic Greene, Personnel Manager Steve Power, Production Manager/Video Production/Editing Jenny Griffioen, Librarian Kyle McDavid, Graphic Designer Photo: Alick Tsui

Tom Hickey(Chair) Ian Penney (Vice-Chair) Paul McDonald (Past-Chair) Douglas Wright (Treasurer) Conor Stack (Corporate Secretary) Jessica Chapman Heather McKinnon Michelle Davis Andrea Rose Alana Walsh-Giovannini Aimee Letto Robert Decker Jennifer Massey Jing Xia Karen Bulmer Amy Collyer-Holmes Elizabeth Wright Robert Thompson

P.O. Box 23125 St. John’s, NL A1B 4J9 709-722-4441

nsomusic.ca