The Cleveland POPS Orchestra rang in the New Year with its 16th annual
concert and dance at Cleveland’s world class Severance Hall. It was indeed an extraordinary evening, featuring our guest artists, The Three Phantoms. Craig Schulman, Ciaran Sheehan, and Gary Mauer thrilled the sold out crowd with their beautiful singing, charismatic personalities, and wry sense of humor. The orchestra was in rare form, accompanying the singers with sensitivity, and performing the orchestral selections with excitement and panache. The two bands, City Heat in the Smith Lobby, and The Cleveland POPS All Stars in the Rotunda, were well received by audience members who danced the night away with enthusiasm and revelry. The midnight balloon drop in the Rotunda was a highlight, as usual.
The singers each performed selections individually, and also sang as a trio. Craig’s “Bring Him Home,” Ciaran’s “Maria,” and Gary’s “Joanna/Pretty Women” were among the many solo highlights, and their trio version of “Music of the Night” was something extraordinary. The orchestra acquitted itself splendidly in a new John Williams Medley, and it was a treat for me to perform with the orchestra as clarinetist in Paul Ferguson’s excellent “42nd Street Medley.” The audience was in rare form, as they blew their horns (on my cue, for the most part) in “Feuerfest Polka” and “Mambo” from West Side Story, and Mell Csicsila was an expert pop gun performer in Strauss’ “Champagne Polka.” Dr. Arthur Topilow made his annual trek from New Jersey to perform as the orchestral pianist, and joined trumpeter Jack Schantz, trombonist Paul Ferguson, drummer George Judy, bass guitarist Dean Newton, and me as clarinetist in the Rotunda for post concert dancing. I always enjoy leading the countdown to the New Year!
I’d like to thank our audience for joining us for this special evening! We always love performing to a large and animated audience, and this year’s sellout crowd was particularly inspiring.
We look forward to our upcoming concerts, The Texas Tenors on March 3, a Salute to John Williams on March 24, A Song and A Dance on April 21, and our annual Salute to the Armed Forces on May 25. We hope to see you often at the POPS!
After the Cleveland Pops’ most enjoyable holiday concert on November 27, the
Cleveland Pops played its annual holiday concert on December 3 at Avon Lake High
School, which featured the Avon Lake Choir under the direction of William
Zurkey and the Pops debut of vocalist Tina Stump. The choir sang John
Rutter’s beautiful Gloria with style, clarity, and enthusiasm, under Mr.
Zurkey’s dynamic direction. Ms. Stump proved to be a big hit in two songs
from Toy Story, along with a stirring rendition of Go Tell it on the Mountain.
I heard her in the Beck Center’s fine production of Hairspray last summer, and
knew that she would be an excellent addition to our holiday concert.
The following day I took a very long flight to Hong Kong,
where I spent three days as guest conductor with the Hong Kong Phil. I conducted two concerts with three of my favorite Broadway performers, Christianne Noll, Debbie Gravitte, and Doug LaBreque. It was a whirlwind trip – it would have been great to arrive earlier and stay longer, but obligations on either end of the trip made it impossible. The audiences were very enthusiastic, and we did three encores! In addition to conducting, I performed the 42nd Street Medley as clarinetist that
Paul Ferguson wrote for me a few years ago. Upon entering the hall for rehearsal, one of the orchestra’s bassoonists, Vance Lee, introduced himself, or should I say reintroduced himself. Vance was a student at the Cleveland Institute of Music from 1989 to 1993, and played in the National Repertory Orchestra, my summer festival, in 1994. Gradually I discovered that eight alumni of the NRO and five alumni of CIM are members of the orchestra! We had a lovely lunch the following day, and
it was great to see so many familiar faces.
I literally went from the podium to the airport, where I caught a 1:00 AM flight to San Francisco; I then connected on a red eye to Cleveland. Shirley, Emily, and I
attended a Cleveland Orchestra concert that evening, with the talented Marin
Alsop conducting.
The next day was spent in rehearsal with the Firelands Symphony in Sandusky for our annual holiday concert with the wonderful Lynne Wintersteller as guest artist. Lynne is
a native of Sandusky, and this concert marked her third consecutive year
singing at our holiday concert. The concert on Sunday was very successful; in addition to Lynne’s spectacular performance, we used film clips from movies along with the music from several popular holiday movies, supplied by Cleveland Pops board member and TV producer George Veras. Lynne’s performance of the Chipmunks’ “Christmas Don’t be Late” featured a chorus played by our wind players on kazoos.
My busy holiday season continued with performances with the Akron Symphony at the Chapel in Green, EJ Thomas Hall in Akron, and Medina Performing Arts Center. Tina Stump again sang beautifully, and it was a treat to work with the Akron Symphony Chorus, under the outstanding direction of their chorus master, Maria Sellner. The song Hanukkah Lights, which was new to me, turned out to be very well received by the audience. It was written by composer Marvin Hamlisch, who wrote Chorus Line and many other shows, and performed by vocalist Gillian Hassert. Gillian also sang Jingle Bell Rock with me at the end of my Clarinet Christmas medley. The orchestra played very well, and it was a treat to perform with so many former students and colleagues, many of whom have also played with the Pops.
I’m now looking forward to ringing in the new year with
the Cleveland Pops and our annual New Year’s Eve concert and dance. Our special guests this year are the Three Phantoms, with whom I worked in Fresno last February. Their excellent show inspired me to have them join us, and we expect an exciting concert, followed by dancing, coffee and desserts, and our midnight balloon drop!
I especially look forward to our New Year’s Eve pianist, my brother Dr.
Arthur Topilow, who has been playing for our New Year’s Eve concerts since
2005. Not only does he play in the orchestra for the concert, but he also performs with the combo for dancing in the Grand Foyer. He is joined each year
by his wife, Dr. Judy Topilow, who also makes the trip from New Jersey.
I would first of all like to thank the people at Fox 8 for their support and dedication for our annual holiday concert which took place at the Palace Theater on November 27. The folks from the Fox 8 news team gave generously of their time and talent to help
us usher in the holidays in an afternoon of song and good cheer.
Fox anchors Tracy McCool and Wayne Dawson were congenial narrators for The Night Before Christmas to the music of Randol Bass. Todd Meany showed off his velvet tones in I’ll Be Home for Christmas and demonstrated a fierce low register for You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch. Fox weather reporters Angelica Campos and the legendary Dick Goddard were effective vocalists in Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and White Christmas respectively, and Melissa Reid tickled the ivories in a tasteful rendition of the Christmas Song. All purpose reporter Kenny Crumpton took over
conducting duties for Sleigh Ride.
A preview was seen on Fox 8 on November 21, the Monday before the concert, when 6 members of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra teamed up with Fox 8 celebrities on the morning show.
Further congratulations to string players from Beachwood High School and Middle School as well as from the Cleveland Institute of Music for their performances. Percussionist Mell Csicsila and trumpeter Jack Schantz were also featured Pops artists. Paul Ferguson’s artful arrangements were heard on no less than five of the featured selections. I always enjoy performing as clarinetist with the orchestra – I played Hanukkah and Christmas selections.
Upcoming concerts include the Cleveland Pops’ annual Christmas concert in Avon Lake featuring William Zurkey’s excellent concert choir, a pair of Broadway concerts with the Hong Kong Philharmonic, a holiday concert with the Firelands Symphony, holiday concerts with the Akron Symphony, and of course Cleveland Pops’ New Year’s Eve celebration, featuring the Three Phantoms, three phenomenal veterans of the Broadway stage. The concert includes a midnight ballon drop, free coffee and desserts and dancing to two bands. Start a new tradition, and join the Cleveland Pops on New Year’s Eve at 9:00 PM. My brother Arthur will be making the trip from New Jersey to perform as pianist with the orchestra as well as playing with one of the bands for the post concert dancing.
The past few days have been filled with musical events that can be best described as varied and very significant!
On Saturday, October 29, the Cleveland Pops Orchestra experienced its most successful ever G Clef Ball, our annual fundraiser. The InterContinental Hotel was our host, and they outdid themselves in a beautiful presentation. Our chairperson and Pops board member Sondra Boyd was in charge once again, and the silent auction, Pops sampler CD, flowers, food, and general ambience made the evening special. Our honoree, Medical Mutual of Ohio CEO Rick Chiracosta, was not only feted by all who attended, but also was featured vocalist for the rock classic “Teenager in Love”. He was also surprised by my invitation to serve as conductor for George Bizet’s “March of the Toreadors” from Carmen. The Mutual Gifts Gospel Choir, MMOH’s very own choral ensemble was led by Jimmy Wilcher in an uplifting performance of Total Praise. Pops drummer George Judy played a flamboyant solo in Sing Sing Sing, and the orchestra performed the Cleveland Browns march. The crowd enjoyed dancing a variety of selections played by entire orchestra, highlighted perhaps by a conga line which was formed for I Go to Rio. All in all, it was a great evening from every standpoint, and one that will help immensely to allow the orchestra to continue to prosper.
On Sunday, October 30, I conducted the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra in a Halloween “Spooktakular” at Severance Hall. Many orchestra members were attired in costume, and I got to wear my Superman “muscle” costume. Included was a performance of “The Chill of the Orchestra”, narrated by Eric Charnofsky, a CIM faculty member who dressed as Count Dracula and delivered the narration in a distinctive Transylvanian accent. We also played Dukas’ Sorcerer’s Apprentice, conducted by my Melisse Brunet and Darth Vader’s March, conducted by Lei Lei; both are graduate students in orchestral conducting at CIM.
On Wednesday, November 2, I conducted the CIM Chamber Orchestra in beautiful Mixon Hall. The opportunity to play smaller repertoire in a great acoustical setting was most welcomed by our students. We opened with a lovely performance of Mozart’s Symphony #39, followed by Theme and Variations for Clarinet and String Orchestra by Ante Grgin, a Serbian composer, and played by Nicola Djurica. Nicola’s charismatic playing delighted the audience, which responded with an enthusiastic standing ovation. His performance was nothing short of amazing. The second half of the concert featured Richard Strauss’ Suite from Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, which enabled many of our orchestra members to chance to shine in solo roles. The most significant of these was the solo violin, played beautifully by Oriane Carcy, one of our two exchange students from the Paris Conservatory. The exchange student is Hector Chemelle, who performed as principal second violin. Principal cellist Thomas Carpenter and principal violist Allison George also were prominent in the success of the performance.
I look forward to the Pops’ holiday concert on Sunday, November 27 and our annual New Year’s Eve concert featuring The Three Phantoms, as well as guest appearances with the Elgin Symphony, Akron Symphony, and Hong Kong Philharmonic.
It has indeed been an eventful week for the Cleveland Pops Orchestra and for me personally. On the day of our opening concert at Severance Hall, my granddaughter Edith Augusta Homans, was born in Charlotte, NC. I made this announcement at the concert, and Edie received an enthusiastic response from our wonderful audience! Baby Edie and new mom Jenny Topilow Homans, a former member of the Cleveland Pops and violinist with the Charlotte Symphony, are both doing fine.
The concert itself was a great success. Earlier this summer, The Orchestra had polled our supporters to select its favorite Cleveland Pops selections in order to play these pieces on the first half of the program. I played Paul Ferguson’s brilliant arrangement of Benny Goodman classics, and George Judy outdid himself with a dazzling drum solo on Sing Sing Sing, one our signature numbers. The orchestra also acquitted itself famously with stirring performances of Victory at Sea, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Themes from 007. I also got to show my new jacket with its fantastic purple lining, courtesy of master tailor Joseph Scafidi, who was in the audience to acknowledge the applause for his fine work.
The great Motown Group, The Contours, performed their classic selections for the second half of the concert, to the delight of our audience. Classics such as Do You Love Me, My Girl, First a Look at the Purse, and A Little Misunderstanding were presented with style and panache. Their singing and dancing are without equal; perhaps most impressive is 73 year old Sylvester Potts, an original member of The Contours, whose energy and style is nothing short of remarkable. The preconcert talk, presented by their music director and keyboard player Glen Raby, was a fascinating look at the genesis of the Contours, as well as the history and origins of Motown music. I had the opportunity to play along with the band on alto sax the Thursday morning before the concert at Fox 8, and enjoyed both playing and getting to know the members of the group. All in all, it was a most successful concert, and a great way to start the season.
On the previous Wednesday, I conducted the Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) Orchestra in a performance at Severance Hall of the music of Michael Daugherty, Stravinsky, and Ravel. Michael is a professor of composition at the University of Michigan, and his music has enjoyed widespread popularity. We performed the dynamic and exciting Red Cape Tango from his Metropolis Suite, a piece based on the Superman comics, which started right here in Cleveland. CIM violinist Emily Nebel was featured in a brilliant performance of the Stravinsky Violin Concerto, and also was a member of our violin section with the Pops on Friday evening. I have conducted Ravel’s second suite from his ballet Daphnis and Chloe on many occasions, but Wednesday’s concert was my first involvement with the first suite. It proved to be a most rewarding experience – Ravel’s music is without par in terms of color, atmosphere and orchestration. When we started the second suite after playing the first, it felt like an old friend. The orchestra did a terrific job with this difficult repertoire.
On the previous Saturday, I conducted the opening concert of the Firelands Symphony at the Sandusky State Theater. The concert featured the Neos Dance Company from Mansfield in performances of Copland’s Appalachian Spring, Gershwin’s Lullaby, Tico Tico, and the Mambo from West Side Story. We also played Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy, performed brilliantly by violinist and CIM alumna Alicia Hui, who is now principal second violinst with the Columbus Symphony. In addition, the orchestra played Ginastera’s Estancia, my adaptation of Kreisler’s Praeludium and Allegro which I combine with the popular song Autumn Leaves, and Dudley Buck’s Fantasy on The Star Spangled Banner, for which the audience rises and sings the national anthem along with the orchestra a the end of the piece.
Neos Dance Company, under the excellent guidance of lead dancers Brooke and Bobby Wesner will be joining the Pops on our April 21 concert, and we look forward to their return to the stage of Severance Hall, where they have been our guest for past performances.
Upcoming events this week include the Pops’ annual fundraiser, the G Clef Ball, which this year will be honoring Medical Mutual of Ohio’s CEO Rick Chiracosta. This elegant event will be held on Saturday, October 29, at the Intercontinental Hotel, and promises to be a great evening. The following day, I will be conducting the CIM Orchestra in a Halloween concert at Severance Hall.
Thanks to the musicians, board, and staff of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra for their support, and to our loyal and enthusiastic audience for making it all possible.
The Pops is gearing up for its two big October events, our opening concert on the 21st featuring the Motown group The Contours, and our annual fundraiser, the G Clef Ball on the 29th.
The Pops recently recorded the music for the Cleveland Browns fight song, entitled “HI-O-HI-O FOR CLEVELAND” for promotional use by the Browns. Pops principal trombonist Paul Ferguson came up with four creative versions of the song: march, vocal, Dixieland, and rock. The recording session was held in Kulas Hall at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and our talented musicians again rose to the challenge with spirit and enthusiasm. See the video here Cleveland Browns Fight Song
My other musical activities last week included a concert at Severance Hall with The Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra. The program featured concerto competition winner violinist Natalie Lin’s performance of the Britten Violin Concerto. I had never heard the piece previous to this occasion, but grew to really enjoy and admire it. Natalie’s performance was spectacular. We also performed Pictures at an Exhibition, which was very well received.
Last weekend I traveled to New Jersey for a performance as clarinetist at the Deal JCC with my brother, pianist Arthur Topilow, and vocalists Liz Larsen and Sal Viviano. I had worked with Sal on several occasions, but never with Liz, and they were both excellent. I played for the first time Astor Piazzolla’s Escualo, which I had first heard at the Pops Tango evening back in February. I also played an Italian medley on my green, white, and red clarinet, which I played at our Mediterranean Cruise concert in April. The real highlight was performing with my 97 year old mom, Pearl Josephs, in the audience!
In addition to my work with the Cleveland Pops, I just started my 31st year as conductor of the orchestras at The Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM), the gig that got me to Cleveland back in 1981. Our opening concert last Wednesday evening featured music of Franck, Bartok, Prokofief, and Anthony Plog.
Tony Plog is a dear friend and colleague from my days as conductor of the Summit Brass, and it was a real treat to conduct “Weiter”, a piece that he wrote in 2008 for the National Repertory Orchestra. Tony is professor of composition at the University of Freiburg in Germany, and Weiter is a German word which literally means “further”, but in a more colloquial meaning signifies “go for it”. This composition is a perpetual motion, with tremendous rhythmic energy from beginning to end, and the audience response was extremely positive.
The concert also marked my first performance of Cesar Franck’s The Accursed Huntsman, a piece that I’ve admired for several years. While not nearly as well known as his Symphony in D Minor, it’s a really cool piece that not surprisingly features the French horns. Our students played really well, and the piece came off splendidly.
Also on the concert was the Bartok Viola Concerto, played beautifully by Jaimie Sachay, a winner of the CIM concerto competition. Bartok only left fragments of the piece, and it was finished posthumously by his disciple Tibor Serly. The work has become a staple of the viola repertoire.
The concert concluded with Prokofief’s witty Lt. Kije Suite, taken from a movie score that Prokofief wrote in the 1930’s upon his return to Russia.
Earlier in the week, Shirley and I attended a benefit concert for Montefiore held in Mixon Hall at CIM. It was a tribute to the late Elliot Wilensky, songwriter and brother of Steven Wilensky, chairman of the board at Montefiore. Having grown up in Bayonne, NJ, I have known the Wilensky family since childhood, and have become reacquainted with Steven, who recently retired from a senior management position at American Greetings. It was delightful yet bittersweet evening, as Steven and guest vocalists led a moving reminiscence of Elliot’s life, with many references to growing up in Bayonne. I felt particularly connected, as I suggested holding the event at beautiful Mixon Hall; in addition, I had recommended vocalist Connor O’Brien, who did a wonderful performance of Elliot’s music. Elliot was an extraordinarily gifted songwriter who wrote many hit songs for vocalists including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Smokey Robinson.
I look forward to the upcoming concert at Severance Hall of the CIM Orchestra on Wednesday, September 21. More soon!
Never a dull moment with the Cleveland Pops! Labor Day weekend featured the Pops in two concerts, the first on Saturday, September 3 at Elyria Town Square, and the second on Sunday, September 4, at the Oktoberfest celebration at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea.
The concert in Elyria was played in close to 90 degree heat! Despite the temperature, the large crowd enjoyed the concert immensely. It did get cooler as the night went on, and it turned out to be a delightful summer evening, in contrast to the cool temperatures of last year’s concert.
We were joined by vocalist Helen Welch, whose singing and charming personality were a big hit with the crowd. Her selections featured her first performance of a new medley of songs called “Ella”, in an arrangement patterned after the great Ella Fitzgerald. I really enjoyed Helen’s version of The Trolley Song, in a terrific arrangement by Pops principal trombonist Paul Ferguson. The Pops also played Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone with narrator Gordon Leigh Petitt filling us in on the details of the story, as well as our first performance of the theme from Zorba the Greek. I had a chance to play my green, white, and red clarinet, honoring the colors of the Italian flag, in a medley of Neapolitan songs.
One of the things that we do in the week preceding our outdoor concerts is to check the weather reports, which tend to change daily. Saturday’s concert looked a little iffy, but as it turned out, there was hardly a cloud in the sky. However, Sunday’s forecast was less promising. We had a choice of either moving to Monday, our rain date, or consider moving into the large events tent, since many people had come to hear the orchestra on Sunday. Although the day was overcast, there was no rain, but the decision was made to move the concert into the events tent. As we prepared to start the concert, a large black cloud could be seen approaching from the west. As I was about to go on stage to start the concert, the skies opened up in a torrential downpour. While it was definitely the right call to move indoors, just about everyone attending that day ran into the tent, whether they were interested in attending the concert or not. We finally began with the Star Spangled Banner, and the concert was enjoyed by the huge and enthusiastic crowd. We were joined by the Tanz und Spielkreis Austrian Dancers, whose colorful concerts and lovely dancing added much to the concert of Viennese Music. After the concert, we enjoyed the food and exhibits of the Oktoberfest. I also enjoyed dancing the polka with Shirley!
From successful concerts to a hole in one, summer in Northeast Ohio has yielded some exciting moments since my return from Breckenridge, CO.
The Cleveland Pops was privileged to play a concert on Saturday evening, August 20, at the Magnificat High School honoring the 1955 Founders Society Inductees. The program, featuring vocalist Joan Ellison, highlighted many Cleveland Pops favorites, and was received with great enthusiasm by the audience. Joan sang selections from shows including My Fair Lady, Oklahoma, Sound of Music, and I had a chance to play my Italian Medley on my red, white, and green clarinet. Mell Csicsila was a big hit playing Xylophonia and Sing, Sing, Sing. A Pops string quartet, consisting of Nancy Patterson, Priscilla Eva, Alexandra Vago, and Gayle Klaber, serenaded the patrons at the pre-concert cocktail hour.
We’re looking forward to our upcoming concert at Ely Park in downtown Elyria at 7:00 PM on Saturday, September 3. In case of rain, we’ll be at the Stocker Performing Arts Center at Lorain County Community College.
The next day, September 4, we’ll be playing for Oktoberfest at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea, Ohio at 7:15 PM for a Viennese evening. Rain date will be September 5. This concert will include the costumed Gottscheer Tanz Und Spielkreis Austrian Dancers for several of the selections.
Both the Elyria and Oktoberfest performances are free to the public. Our orchestra members always enjoys seeing the thousands of people who come out to see the POPS perform, many for the first time, at these free summer events.
On August 23, Pops principal trumpet Gary Davis and I played 9 holes on the Maple Course at Fowler’s Mill. I was present to witness a hole in one by Gary on the 4th hole!
After a rewarding summer season inBreckenridge,CO with the National Repertory Orchestra, I returned to a very special happening with the Cleveland POPS. On Saturday evening, August 6th, the Viking Store at Legacy Village sponsored a POPS Wine Pairing party featuring master chef Adam Wilson’s delicious cuisine and wine expertise.
Over sixty people attended and enjoyed a wonderful and tasty experience. I performed, accompanied by Jack Ciarniello on keyboard. Our event planner and Board vice president Sondra Boyd announced the door prizes while my charming daughter Emily handed the brightly wrapped gifts to surprised guests.
The Wine Pairing ended at 9:00 p.m. and the POPS happy guests left with go-green shopping bags filled with treasures, and a new perspective on pairing the perfect wine with the perfect food.
We are looking forward to our upcoming concerts on August 20th at Magnificat Center for the Performing Arts with Broadway vocalist Joan Ellison, September 3rd at Elyria Town Squarewith jazz vocalist Helen Welch, and September 4th for Oktoberfest at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea with Tanz and Spielkreis Austrian Dance Group.
