Spotlight on ISO Musicians

The Performance

Join us as Jack Everly and the ISO put the spotlight on our own ISO musicians and the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra as we celebrate the artistry around us. Featuring Concertmaster Kevin Lin, Principal Cello Austin Huntington, Principal Trumpet Conrad Jones, soprano Donata Cucinotta, and local vocalist AshLee Baskin.

This concert highlights sections of musicians as well as individuals as they perform music from the opera world including Tosca and La Bohème, excerpts from the ballet Swan Lake, a medley from the show Dreamgirls, TV themes from the 1950s and 60s, and more. The Metropolitan Youth Orchestra will be side-by-side on stage with the ISO musicians for several pieces, performing under the direction of MYO Director Krystle Ford.

When asked about the upcoming concert, Krystle provided this insight:

“MYO likes to play music that represents the families we serve and underrepresented composers. William Grant Still’s “Danzas de Panama” has 4 distinct movements.  The “Cumbia y Congo” is the 4-movement in a series of dances based on Panamanian folk tunes. Throughout the entire piece, you’ll hear parts that sound Panamanian, Mexican, or waltz like, but this last movement starts out with a percussive African dance. It then transitions into a Latin sounding melody. “Inocente” is a lovely piece that sounds like you’re on vacation. The piece is fun, easy going, and just plays itself. The students really like this one.  It was written by living Brazilian composer Ricardo Herz.

AshLee Baskin is a local artist that is quite the force. I met her a few years through the Art and Soul series put on by the Arts Council and also collaborated with her on a gig with Manon Voice.  She can do it all—sing, act, dance, write, teach.  She a true artist and a gem in this city.  When we needed a vocalist for our Stand By Me performance I knew just who to call.”

View “Spotlight on ISO Musicians” Coffee Pops Performance

Program:

Festive Overture

Song of India

Vissi d’arte from Tosca

Quando m’en vo sapera from La Boheme

TV Themes of the 50s & 60s

Overture to Rhapsody in Blue

Cumbia y Congo

Inocente

Embraceable You

Dreamgirls Medley

Overture to Shuffle Along

Swan Lake Excerpts