Tag: Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra

Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra Announces “May the Fourth Be With You” Concert

The Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra has announced that it will conclude its 67th Season with “May the Fourth Be With You” at the Anderson Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, May 4 at 7:30pm.

Live narration by Joshua Sedelmeyer will weave together the epic story of Star Wars while Maestro Daniel Hege leads the Philharmonic in performing the music of John Williams, including themes from The Force Awakens, Revenge of the Sith, A New Hope, and of course, the original Star Wars Suite.

Founded by Fritz and Marianne Wallenberg in 1955 at the Binghamton Symphony and Choral Society and later merging with the B.C. Pops, an orchestra founded by David Agard and Russell Hawkes, 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, represented by Local 380 of the American Federation of Musicians, hail from the Southern Tier, New York City, and surrounding states.

Narrator Josh Sedelmeyer has developed an ease at creating rapport with audiences during interactive performances. Fans of the Philharmonic will recognize Josh from many lectures and events, including previous concerts with the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra such as The Magical Music of Harry Potter, A Night at the Ballet’s Romeo & Juliet, and now Star Wars, May the Fourth.

For tickets and more information, contact the Binghamton Philharmonic box office at 607-723-3931 or visit www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org.

April 8, 2023
Binghamton Philharmonic Presents “Pops at the Forum” on March 25

The Binghamton Philharmonic returns on Saturday, March 25 at 3pm at the Broome County Forum Theatre with “Pops at the Forum,” a fun performance filled with cherished classics for the whole family.

Featured at Pops at the Forum are Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story; Rodgers and Hammerstein’sThe Sound of Music; Hans Zimmer’s Pirates of the Caribbean Suite; and Georges Bizet’s Carmen Suite. The performance will also include Leroy Anderson’s quirky The Typewriter, featuring soloist Sam Lazzara.

Sam Lazzara, a typewriter soloist, has had a career that has taken him to concert halls around the country and throughout the world. He is principal percussionist with the Binghamton Philharmonic played with opera star Jesseye Norman, pop/theater legends Carol Channing, Skitch Henderson, Rita Moreno, John Pizzarelli, Lucie Arnaz, Susan Lucci, Marnie Nixon, Suzanne Vega, Bob Newhart, Don Rickles, Steven Rieneke, Megan Hilti, the Singing Nun Christina Scuccia, Annie Golden and The Irish Tenors.

Sam has toured the country with the New York City Opera, performed with The Mark Morris Dance Company and toured the Czech Republic and Poland performing the music of Karlhein Stockhausen. His work has been broadcast nationally on NPR and heard on the TV show Grey’s Anatomy. Sam can be seen on the big and small screen in the HBO mini-series Mildred Pierce, Wall Street 2, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, The Good Shepherd, and recently in the indie film, 40 Winks. The New York Times wrote, “Sam Lazzara is a firm and stabilizing presence on percussion. (Anne Midgette).”

There will be a pre-concert Organ Recital from 2:30-2:50pm. Nancy Wildoner from the Binghamton Theater Organ Recital will be playing a pre-concert recital on the 1922 Rober-Morton IV/24 Theatre Pipe Organ.

All children 17 and under get in for free, courtesy of season sponsor Visions Federal Credit Union. For tickets and more information, contact the Binghamton Philharmonic box office at 607-723-3931 or visit www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org

March 21, 2023
In Focus: First ever Wallenberg Festival brings Binghamton Orchestras Together

On Saturday, January 28, the Binghamton Philharmonic celebrated its first “Wallenberg Festival,” a concert of Binghamton’s three orchestras: the Binghamton Community Orchestra (Evan Mecarello, dir.), the Binghamton Youth Symphony (Barry Peters), and the Binghamton Philharmonic (Daniel Hege).

The program was named after Fritz and Marianne Wallenberg, the founders of the Binghamton Symphony in 1955. In his remarks to the audience, Executive Director Paul Cienniwa explained that, while the Wallenbergs did not directly create today’s three orchestras, they were instrumental in sparking substantial interest within a relatively small community.

Each orchestra performed a short set of familiar works. Many of the crowd-pleasers, from von Suppè’s Poet and Peasant to a Brahms Hungarian Dance, are not heard too often these days, and these works were an excellent introduction to the orchestra for many of the concert’s young attendees. “Wallenberg Festival” concluded with a side-by-side performance of the Youth Symphony and the Philharmonic, first playing Rimsky-Korsakov’s Procession of the Nobles under Peters, and then Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slave under Hege.

As expected in a concert of one professional and two amateur orchestras, the playing was mixed. The enthusiasm was not, however–especially during the side-by-side. Even more so, the large audience showed again and again its love for Binghamton and its uncommon tradition.

Coming up this month, on Thursday, February 16 at 6:00 pm, the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra will present its 8th Annual Mac & Cheese Fest Fundraiser at the Holiday Inn Downtown in Binghamton. Guests should get ready for some cheesy goodness at this all-you-can-eat Mac & Cheese event featuring over sixteen local restaurants. Local chefs will compete for best Mac & Cheese while host Chelsea Cheddar (the Mayor of Macaroni) presides with cheesy proclamations as musicians of the Philharmonic play lively fanfares. Patrons and celebrity judges will determine which restaurant wins the Best Mac & Cheese title for 2023, along with other culinary awards. Tickets are just $25 to support the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra. For tickets and more information, contact the Binghamton Philharmonic box office at 607-723-3931 or visit www.bingmacfest.com.

February 1, 2023
Binghamton Philharmonic Announces Wallenberg Festival for Jan. 28

The Binghamton Philharmonic has announced its Wallenberg Festival, a joint concert with the Binghamton Youth Symphony and Binghamton Community Orchestra, coming up this Saturday, January 28.

This Festival is in celebration of orchestra founders Fritz and Marianne Wallenberg, and their lasting legacy of symphonic music in the Southern Tier. The program will include a side-by-side performance of the Youth Symphony and Philharmonic through works by Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky. The performance is scheduled for Saturday, January 28 at 7:30pm at the Forum Theatre.

Founded by Fritz and Marianne Wallenberg in 1955 as the Binghamton Symphony and Choral Society, 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, represented by Local 380 of the American Federation of Musicians, hail from the Southern Tier, New York City, and surrounding states. Maestro Daniel Hege was appointed Music Director in 2018.

A Night Of Classics

The show will be conducted by Daniel Hege, Evan Meccarello, and Barry Peters. The Binghamton Youth Symphony will perform pieces by Antonín Dvořák and Franz von Suppè. The Binghamton Community Orchestra will follow up with more Dvořák and works by Johannes Brahms, while the Binghamton Philharmonic will perform music by Edvard Grieg. The night will conclude with a joint performance by the Binghamton Youth Symphony and the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra.

All children 17 and under get in for free, courtesy of M&T Bank, Binghamton Philharmonic’s Classical Series Sponsor.

There will also be a Pre-concert Dinner to support the Philharmonic, held at the Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Binghamton. The dinner will be $35 per person and seating begins at 5pm the day of the show.

For tickets and more information, including Pre-concert dinner reservations, contact the Binghamton Philharmonic box office at 607-723-3931 or visit www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv2Unk4BhIo

January 24, 2023
Binghamton Philharmonic Announces New Musicians

After a lengthy four month blind audition process, the Binghamton Philharmonic has announced the selection of five new musicians.

The Binghamton Philharmonic

Joining this prestigious community of musicians are:

Brianne Lugo, Assistant Principal Viola – Recognizable from her performances at both Carnegie Hall and Saturday Night Live, Ms. Lugo is also a member of Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and Punta Gorda Symphony.

Junheng Chen, Assistant Principal Violin II – Well Traveled with performances in Asia and Europe, Ms. Chen will balance Philharmonic duties while pursuing her Doctoral degree at the Eastman School of Music.

John Shuo Zhang, Section Violin – Hailing from Guangzhou, China, Mr. Zhang has taken his Juilliard education across the United States with the Juilliard String Quartet. When not in the States, he holds an assistant concertmaster position in Hangzhou Philharmonic Orchestra.

Yi-Ting (Joy) Kuo, Section Violin – Coming to the Southern Tier from the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, Ms. Kuo received both her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees at the New England Conservatory and is currently a member of The Orchestra Now.

Shawn Hutchison, Oboe II / English Horn – A Graduate of the Yale School of Music and recipient of The Presser Foundation Graduate Music Award, Mr. Hutchinson is also a member of The Orchestra Now.

Binghamton Philharmonic

The Binghamton Philharmonic is the Southern Tier’s largest and longest-serving symphony orchestra. Founded in 1955 as the Binghamton Symphony and Choral Society, the Philharmonic has provided the Southern Tier of New York with live, full-scale orchestral works ever since.

Acting on its mission to build community through the power of live music, the Philharmonic serves over 10,000 people annually through engaging and affordable programming. Music Director Daniel Hege hopes to continue with their goal of connecting professional musicians with audiences to stimulate the economy and expand listenership and education with the 2023 season.

For more information about the Binghamton Philharmonic, and to see a schedule of events, please visit binghamtonphilharmonic.org

January 12, 2023