On December 16, 2023, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra performed its annual holiday concert, “Winter Wonderland,” to a packed house at the Broome County Forum Theatre.
A glittering celebration of the season, Winter Wonderland featured Christmas hits both old and new by Tchaikovsky, Johann Strauss, John Williams, and young American composer Quinn Mason; carol singalongs led by soloists from Tri-Cities Opera; and a screening of the British animated classic “The Snowman” with live orchestral accompaniment.
There was something for everyone in the lively concert. Mason showed a distinctly American voice in his lyrical, atmospheric “Christmas Eve Festivities,” which is becoming a new classic. Local newscaster Jim Ehmke was the narrator for Bill Holcombe’s charming “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” a musical setting of the beloved poem by Clement C. Moore. The guest conductor for Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” was local businessman Jonny Norton, who had won the spot in a fundraising auction, and Norton clearly enjoyed himself heartily, along with the orchestra and audience. Young treble soloist Eva Dixon, a 13-year-old soprano from New York City, sang the haunting solo, “Walking in the Air,” in “The Snowman” with delicacy and aplomb.
The orchestra played with uplifting energy and precision, led by the confident conducting of Maestro Daniel Hege, who managed to infuse even the most familiar carols with a spirit of wintry revelry. Maestro Hege engaged the audience with his trademark lighthearted banter, and the audience responded with exuberant singing, hand-clapping, and a standing ovation at the end. For the enthusiastic and festively-dressed concertgoers, including many children, “Winter Wonderland” was a truly magical experience, and a not-to-be-missed event of the holiday season in New York’s Southern Tier.
The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra has announced a holiday show titled “Winter Wonderland,” happening at the Broome County Forum Theatre on Dec. 16.
Founded by Fritz and Marianne Wallenberg in 1955 at the Binghamton Symphony and Choral Society and later merged with the B.C. Pops, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra presents an annual series of classical, pops, and chamber music concerts in Downtown Binghamton and throughout Broome County. The professional musicians of the Philharmonic hail from the Southern Tier, New York City, and surrounding states. Maestro Daniel Hege was appointed Music Director in 2018.
On Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 3 p.m., the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra presents “Winter Wonderland,” a holiday-themed concert of beloved Christmas classics. The program includes favorites from stage, film, and ballet, along with a traditional carol singalong and a visit from Santa. Artists from Tri-Cities Opera are featured, along with local news anchor Jim Ehmke as the narrator in “The Night Before Christmas.”The Philharmonic also continues its tradition of screening the classic animated short film The Snowman, with live orchestral accompaniment and treble soloist Eva Dixon. The concert will be preceded by a holiday-themed organ recital by Nancy Wildoner on the Robert-Morton Theatre Organ at 2:30 p.m.
Eva Dixon.
13-year-old treble soloist Eva Dixon attends Grace Church School in Manhattan, where she has been a member of the Grace Episcopal Church Choir for the past seven years. In seventh grade, she was Lead Chorister, and this year she was named Optima Chorister. She toured Ireland with the choir in the summer of 2022, and in the spring of 2023 sang the soprano solo in Mendelssohn’s O for the Wings of a Dove. Her theater roles include The Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda in Oz; Lucy in 13: The Musical, and DJ in Cyrano de Burger Shack.
Tickets are $25 to $65. Kids 17 and under attend free.
On Saturday, November 18, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra continued its 2023-2024 Symphonic Series with “Faces of Joy,” an exhilarating program of music spanning two centuries. The evening began with a short piece for strings and celesta, “Five Faces of Joy,” by the living Chinese-American composer Wang Jie.
The composer calls her work a portrait of “five comic ways of smiling,” including “the smile of a dancing Godzilla,” and Maestro Daniel Hege and the ensemble brought out the wit and whimsy of Wang’s music, providing a fitting introduction to a concert whose theme was joy.
Pianist Andrew Russo performing at Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Faces of Joy”
Also on the program was Sergei Prokofiev’s delightful Symphony No. 1, known as the “Classical” Symphony. Writing in 1917, the young Prokofiev sought to imitate the musical style of Mozart and Haydn, and this piece is full of delicacy, dynamic contrasts, and devilish speed. The principal woodwinds of the Philharmonic gave a collective star turn in the dizzying fourth movement.
The highlight of the concert, though, was the second half of the program, with guest soloist Andrew Russo playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5, the “Emperor.” Russo, Maestro Hege, and the orchestra seemed to become an organic whole, breathing together as Russo pushed the piano to the utmost extremes of emotional expression. Russo’s virtuosic playing and Hege’s sensitive conducting created a spellbinding atmosphere of joy, which the audience acknowledged by leaping to its feet with loud cheers at the conclusion.
As always, it was uplifting to see many children and teens in the concert hall. One young boy told this reviewer that he particularly loved Andrew Russo’s performance, saying, “He reminds me of Beethoven!” It was pure joy to hear Beethoven and his colleagues brought to life so skillfully by the Binghamton Philharmonic.
Don’t miss the next event from the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra, Soprano Robin Johannsen & Pianist Tomoko Kanamaru on December 3. Both internationally acclaimed artists, the duo will perform a program of art songs by women composers from the nineteenth through the twenty-first centuries, including works by Clara Schumann, Florence Price, and Yui Kitamura.
Tickets are $25. For more information, contact the Binghamton Philharmonic Box Office at 607-723-3931 or visit www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org.
In the world of family fun, Sesame Street has been a go-to for decades. Now, get ready for something extra special as Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and the whole Sesame Street gang hit the road in the brand-new live production, Sesame Street Live! Say Hello.
This musical road trip is set to hit cities all across the U.S. and Canada, bringing the magic of Sesame Street to life starting in April 2024.
Sesame Street Live! Say Hello promises more than just a show – it’s an interactive musical adventure. Join in the fun as your favorite characters come to life on stage. Expect surprises, laughter, and all the timeless magic of Sesame Street. This is an experience that goes beyond the screen, bringing the heartwarming spirit of Sesame Street to a live and tangible stage.
This tour is no small affair, hitting major cities from Portland, ME, to Vancouver, and everywhere in between. The kickoff is at Merrill Auditorium in Portland on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, and the fun won’t stop until it’s made its way through more than 50 cities.
SESAME STREET LIVE! SAY HELLO TOUR DATES:
Tuesday, Apr. 16 – Merrill Auditorium – Portland, ME
Wednesday, Apr. 17 – Lowell Memorial Auditorium – Lowell, MA
Thursday, Jun. 27 – Rio Rancho Events Center – Rio Rancho, NM
Friday, Jun. 28 – Pueblo Memorial Hall – Pueblo, CO
Saturday, Jun. 29 – United Wireless Arena – Dodge City, KS
Sunday, Jun. 30 – Budweiser Events Center – Loveland, CO
Tickets for this musical journey go on sale Friday, November 17th, with early access starting Tuesday, November 14th. Don’t miss out – head to SesameStreetLive.com to snag your tickets. This event is for everyone, from the littlest fans to those young at heart.
On November 20, the renowned Anderson Center for the Performing Arts at Binghamton University will play host to the experimental Ukrainian world music quartet, DakhaBrakha, promising an enchanting evening of musical fusion and cultural exploration.
Born from the avant-garde theatre community in Kyiv back in 2004, DakhaBrakha, a term translating to “give and take” in old Ukrainian, has been pushing the boundaries of traditional Ukrainian folk music. Their innovative approach blends these age-old melodies with global rhythms, creating a truly unique and powerful sonic experience. The quartet, accompanied by an array of instruments from Indian, Arabic, African, and Ukrainian traditions, delivers a vocal performance that is both astonishingly powerful and culturally rooted.
NPR aptly describes DakhaBrakha as a group that “mixes everything from punk-pop to traditional Ukrainian songs in cool yet beguiling textures.” However, it is their live performances that truly set them apart, transforming DakhaBrakha from an intriguing musical act into a brilliant and unmissable phenomenon.
Rooted in their theatrical origins, DakhaBrakha’s shows boast a strong visual element, featuring dramatic folk garb, original projection art, and poignant video footage addressing the ongoing conflict with Russia. This visual storytelling, added after Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014, has elevated DakhaBrakha from musical performers to international ambassadors of the Ukrainian resistance.
At the crossroads of Ukrainian folklore and theatre, DakhaBrakha’s musical spectrum spans from intimate to riotous, exploring contemporary roots and rhythms. Their performances inspire not just musical appreciation but also cultural and artistic liberation.
Join DakhaBrakha for a night where boundaries fade away, and cultural resonance takes center stage. Experience the magic of global sounds in the heart of Binghamton University, as DakhaBrakha shares their transcendent musical journey.
The Osterhout Concert Theater will be the stage for this extraordinary performance, starting at 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets range from $25 to $60, with a 10% discount on premium seats available for seniors, veterans, and Binghamton University faculty, staff, and alumni. Student and child tickets are an affordable $10, offering everyone the chance to immerse themselves in this cultural and musical journey.
Tickets can be purchased through the Anderson Center Box Office, online at anderson.binghamton.edu, or by calling 607-777-ARTS.
Indie punk band The Vigilance Committee has released their newest LP Coming Home– the band’s first LP since their historical concept record, Exit a Hero, released way back in April 2015.
The Vigilance Committee is what it is because of Peter J. Scoma (guitar/vox), Phil Corso (drums), Christian Cepeda (guitar), and Adam James Tomlinson (bass). Their latest releases since their other album, Exit a Hero, include their single “Reflections III” and the activism-driven EP “Join Us.”
Their newest release, Coming Home, features 10 emotionally charged songs that the band crafted during quarantine at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While all songs are impactful, with specially crafted lyrics and perfected blends of electrifying punk and indie, there are some songs that particularly stand out: “It Was Dawn,” “Beacon,” “Hive Mind,” “Oakfield,” “Unanchored,” and “My Body (Moved But My Mind Stayed There).”
Most of the album consists of upbeat punk, but some slow back down, letting The Vigilance Committee’s indie side shine through. One such example is “Hive Mind” which is slower than the other songs, and slightly more relaxed. This song in particular shows The Vigilance Committee’s versatility– but they hit you with a perfectly crafted electric guitar solo in the middle. The lyrics themselves are equally as powerful, and stay true to the title. The song is about questioning our everyday lives– the “hive mind” mentality. This song begs the question: are we making our life choices with intent, or are we just going through the motions?
Some of the most powerful, emotional lyrics are toward the end, showcasing the rage that many people in society face today due the decisions of those in control, such as government officials. “This is not the world that they sold us // Empty promises // A fire burns. // All we want is to be heard.”
Another powerful song is “My Body (Moved But My Mind Stayed There).” This song is more somber and relies on the instrumentals due to the few (but impactful) lyrics and angelic vocals.
The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra presents “Faces of Joy” this November, an exhilarating concert of joyful classical works, both old and new.
The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra is the Southern Tier’s largest and longest-serving symphony orchestra. Today, the Binghamton Philharmonic serves 10,000+ people annually through innovative, engaging, and affordable programming– connecting professional musicians with audiences to stimulate the economy, and expand music’s possibilities for a broad listenership– within and beyond the concert hall.
The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra will feature a guest piano soloist Andrew Russo, a musician known for his diverse interests from business to music.
A Syracuse native, Russo graduated from Fayetteville-Manlius High School and spent his early years studying with William Goodrum and Steven Heyman. He earned his bachelor and master degrees at The Juliard School, followed by post-graduate studies in Leipzig and Paris with pianist/alternative pedagogue Frederic Chiu. He has performed in many of the world’s cultural capitals including Paris, London, Moscow, Rome, Brussels, Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Buenos Aires.
His appearance as a finalist in the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition drew public attention when he became the first pianist to perform a significant work using alternative techniques requiring the inside and frame of the piano as well as the keys. He was featured in Peter Rosen’s internationally broadcast documentary “Playing on the Edge” not long after the competition and profiled in New York Times writer James Barron’s book, The Making of a Steinway Concert Grand.
With twelve commercial recordings to his credit, the highlight of Andrew’s recording career was a 2007 Grammy nomination for his Black Box Records release of music by John Corigliano. His video of Jacob TV’s “The Body of Your Dreams” has become a popular draw on YouTube and was broadcast on Dutch television. Andrew’s most recent recording on Naxos featured new works by Aaron Kernis, including Three Flavors for piano and orchestra, commissioned by Russo and premiered with David Alan Miller and the Albany Symphony Orchestra.
Russo continues to perform as a recitalist, concerto soloist, and chamber musician, with several appearances each season. He lives in the scenic Skaneateles, NY with his wife Natalia and their children Andrei and Mila.
The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Faces of Joy” will take place Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 7:30pm. In addition, the orchestra will hold free community events in advance of “Faces of Joy,” including “Music as Play” (November 16 at 6:30pm) and “Ab ordine libertas (From Order Comes Freedom): How Composers Balance Restraint and Joy” (November 18 at 6:30pm).
Tickets to “Faces of Joy” will be $25 to $65 per person, available on their website or by calling (607)723-3931.
On Saturday, October 28, at the Broome County Forum Theatre, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra kicked off its 2023-2024 Pops Series with “Phantom of the Philharmonic,” a lively performance of Halloween-themed music from stage, screen, and concert hall. Guest conductor Grant Cooper, resplendent in a Dracula cape, led the orchestra in such hair-raising classics as the theme from Halloween, the Psycho Suite, and “Night on Bald Mountain.”
The Bat Cannon Fires! at Phantom of the Philharmonic
The orchestra reveled in the repertoire, demonstrating their exceptional dynamic range and clearly having fun at the same time. Many in the audience – including lots of kids – were impressively costumed, and showed their appreciation for the expert playing and Maestro Cooper’s engaging dialogue with a standing ovation.
Isis Stungurys, Bailey Dembski, Logan Merril
The Phiharmonic’s concertmaster Uli Speth took a star turn as the violin soloist in the haunting “Danse macabre” of Camille Saint-Saëns, and concert-goers were treated to a range of special effects, from multi-colored smoke to a cannon that released bat-shaped confetti at the climactic moment in Grieg’s “In the Hall of the Mountain King.”
The Binghamton Philharmonic’s Symphonic Series continues on November 18 with Faces of Joy, featuring Philharmonic favorite Andrew Russo as the piano soloist in Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto. For more information, visit www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org.
Maestro Daniel Hege conducted the orchestra and cellist Annie Jacobs-Perkins gave a mesmerizing performance as the soloist in Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, causing the audience to leap to its feet and demand an encore. Jacobs-Perkins obliged with a virtuosic solo by the young American composer Andrew Norman, “Sabina,” a piece so haunting and delicate that the audience seemed to hold its breath.
Noel and Marion Harvey
The concert started out with the jaunty and uplifting Variations on a Shaker Melody by Aaron Copland, and finished with a rousing performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C minor, which brought the audience to its feet a second time. It was wonderful to see many enthusiastic children in the audience, thanks not only to the free youth tickets provided by the Philharmonic’s sponsors, but also to the “Ties & Tutus” program that invites Binghamton City School students to a sit-down dinner, pre-concert chat, and free tickets to a symphonic performance. One elementary student told this reviewer: “I’m so excited to hear Beethoven! Classical music makes me feel alive.” It was clear that this young girl was speaking for the audience as a whole.
Binghamton University’s Anderson Center for the Performing Arts announced a performance by Washington, DC’s Step Afrika!, as part of its upcoming 2023-24 Center Series. Step Afrika! is a professional dance company dedicated to the tradition of stepping, scheduled to perform at the Anderson Center on September 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Ranked as one of the top ten African-American dance companies in the country, Step Afrika! combines percussive dance styles historically practiced by African American fraternities and sororities, traditional Western and South African dances, as well as an array of contemporary dance and art forms. Together, they create a cohesive, compelling artistic experience for audiences. Step Afrika!’s performances blend songs, storytelling, humor, and audience participation to create a unique act.
Step Afrika! promotes stepping as an educational tool for young people, with a focus on teamwork, academic achievement, and cross-cultural understanding. The company reaches tens of thousands of Americans each year through tours and its unique position as Washington, DC’s only Cultural Ambassador. Their accolades include the Mayor’s Arts Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education (2005), among others, as well as performances for former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
The company is featured at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History & Culture with the world’s first interactive stepping exhibit. In 2017, Step Afrika! made its Off-Broadwaydebut with the critically acclaimed production, The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence.
Tickets for the general public range from $25-60, with a 10% discount on premium seats for seniors, veterans, and Binghamton University faculty/staff and alumni. Student and child tickets cost just $10 for any seat in the house.
Tickets are on sale now through the Anderson Center Box Office, online at Anderson.binghamton.edu, or by calling 607-777-ARTS.
