Home for the Holidays - next Saturday!

Dear Crescendo friends!
Our December 13th concert is a week away, and it's going to be a spectacular concert I look forward to seeing you at the reception when our Jazz duo the Hiser Brothers return by popular demand to give a jazzy spin on some holiday favorites. Here is a quick promo about the concert itself:

Home for the Holidays!

See you next Saturday!
Ron Spigelman

1 Day to go!!!!!

1 Day to go, and last night's rehearsal was awesome! We have some of the finest Jazz musicians from around Missouri who will be with us tomorrow night, which is sure to be "Unforgettable" which incidentally is one of the songs our soloist Nancy Kelly is going to sing. At Coffee and Classics at Borders last night I interviewed her and she discussed the program and then did an impromptu scat to the recording I had of Count Basie's One O'Clock Jump:

Listen to Nancy Kelly at Borders

Also yesterday at Rotary Club Southeast where I am a member, I brought with me a group from MSU's Jazz Symposium which is directed by Saxophonist Randy Hamm (also a soloist tomorrow night). The group is called "Groove Unit", and Jacob Hiser who plays in our 1st Violin section is their Pianist. I recorded their performance, here's one of the selections:

500 Miles by Chick Corea

Jazz for me has always felt authentic. Great melodies, harmonies, virtuosity, creativity and personality are needed in equal measure just like in Classical music. At its very best Jazz is a visceral experience when either listening or playing Jazz. I feel the same way about Classical music and composers such as Bernstein, Stravinsky, Copland and especially Gershwin incorporated Jazz into their compositions. There are many other parallels with Classical music along with iconic performers and composers that helped shape America’s cultural landscape. Louis Armstrong, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck (who recently appeared here at Juanita K Hammons Hall), all geniuses.

Tonight we combine an Orchestra and a Big Band to create a HUGE BAND! If you look along our Trombone section you will see Bill Hartmann on Bass Trombone. He actually played with Stan Kenton (who visited Springfield several times) and so playing a Kenton Medley tonight will surely bring special memories for him, and hopefully for you. Randy Hamm has arranged Laura transcribing it directly from the Charlie Parker with Strings album. Nancy Kelly our vocalist as you will hear in Aint Nobody’s Business channels Billie Holiday whilst bringing her own unique style and sound to all the numbers she sings. We have assembled some of the finest Jazz musicians from around Missouri to make this a night to remember!

I wrote a post last November called “Save the Wails” on my blog Sticks and Drones about the disappearing Jazz Club establishment. I make a suggestion at the end of the post which I am hoping to act upon, to start Jazz in the lobby after our concerts. You can read it Here

See you tomorrow!!!

Ron Spigelman

Jazzing it UP - 4 days to go!

This Saturday is our Swing Swing Swing extravaganza!  It is our first Crescendo event of the season and I will be in the Fuldner lounge prior to the concert to welcome you all.  There will be a Jazz combo for your pre-concert entertainment and of course fine food, drink and company.  On Thursday we will be at Borders starting at 5:30pm and our special guest is Jazz Vocalist Nancy Kelly who will talk about her career as a Jazz singer.  Find out if there's anything behind singing the blues! It is not too late to join Crescendo.  Just call 864 6683!

For the next few days I will preview my program notes in sections.  Part 1:

Although I spend most of my time now in the realm of Classical music, it certainly didn’t start that way.  When I started playing the Trumpet at 7 years old, initially I didn’t learn to read music, I learnt everything by ear.  I believe this gave me my instincts for music as I wasn’t working things out by reading, but instead I was feeling, listening and watching.  The first musical group I joined was my school Jazz band in the 5^th grade, and I didn’t join an orchestra until two years after that.  Jazz essentially is where I got my start and it holds a special place for me still.  When 2 years ago I was on Dr. Nietzel’s round table radio show on KSMU discussing the arts, one of the questions was: what is missing from the arts scene in Springfield? Without hesitation, I said a vibrant jazz scene. There was certainly more than a little surprise from the other participants that I the Symphony music director would say that, but Dr. Nietzel agreed and it is a credit to him that more Jazz is appearing on campus being lead by one of our soloists tonight, Missouri State Music faculty member and master Saxophonist  Randy Hamm. 

Ron Spigelman 

Hear the Symphony Live below!

With modern technology I was able to to take the live performance of the Force of Destiny Overture by Verdi and put it right here for you to listen to! It was the opening work (after the National Anthem) of our concert on September the 13th and as you will hear the Orchestra is in top form! Our Branson Landing concert was huge, absolutely full (probably around 3000 people I was told). Rember our first Crescendo concert is coming up on October the 18th. We have exciting performances coming up this weekend also that I will let you know about in the next couple of days. In the meantime enjoy your Springfield Symphony and if you want to hear the whole concert listen to the full broadcast on KSMU 91.1FM on Wednesday at 10am. Let us know what you think of our performance!
Ron Spigelman

Verdi - The Force of Destiny Overture - LIVE!

Check us out Sunday at Branson Landing!

The Symphony for the 3rd year running will perform at Branson Landing on Sunday Sept 21 at 6pm. They will turn the fire show off but there will be plenty of musical fireworks with a mix of Pops such as a tribute to John Williams of Star Wars fame and I'm getting out my Trumpet to play Bugler's Holiday with Tijuana Julian and Grant Peters! Thunder and Lightning Polka, selections from Phantom of the Opera, an Armed Forces Salute plus many more popular and beloved pieces will fill the air. Carrie Tillis is going to stop by and sing some Puccini and of course the climax will be with the legendary Andy Williams. Best of all.......

It's FREE.....

Don't miss this signature event!
Ron Spigelman

Time to get LOUD!!!!!!

It is great to be here thanks for the invite Billy, sorry for the belated acceptance. I just realized that Crescendo is a Young Patron's group for the Symphony, and I turned 40 in April which means according to one now former friend that I am in the youth of my old age! Not only that, on Friday Lisa and I celebrate our 15th anniversary! I guess being Music Director means that I get a pass to be allowed to participate in my soon to be dotage. Our first concert in the Crescendo series is coming up October 18, and is going to be a blow it out loud Jazz extravaganza, with full Big Band, plus Orchestra so A REALLY BIG BAND. Don't miss it and Askinosie Chocolate for Crescendo members in the Fuldner Lounge at Juanita K, call Kelly at the office 864 6683 for details.
Hey today I recorded Lacey Lee our Harpist in performance, she played at one of the Crescendo gatherings last season. Just click HERE to check it out!
RS

December 8th concert

The December concert "Home for the Holidays" warmed the hearts of all in attendance. Go Magazine joined us for our pre-concert reception at Ophelia's and has captured these pictures for our enjoyment.