April 14, 2007

Palm Tree Paradise

Pull out your cruise wear and get ready to be wowed by
talented guest artists, the ever impressive La Porte County
Symphony Orchestra and a fun colorful evening of Caribbean
music to get you in the mood for summer.

The evening will begin at 6:45 with the sound of steel drums
played by Kent Arnsbarger. During this pre-concert time you
will be able to participate in free BINGO, limbo contests,
hula hoop contests as well as be a part of our
tropical/cruise wear contest. There will be plenty of food
and beverage for purchase throughout the evening.

The concert begins at 7:30 as you are welcomed on board the
Symphony of Seas by Fran Milo the Cruise Director. The
captain of our cruise, Music Director/Conductor Philip
Bauman will musically help the audience escape to warmer
climates and music.

Music will include the LaSté Duo which features Lana Wordel
on steel drums and Nora Frisk on viola. The concert will
also feature Anthony Brewer, 2006 Hoosier Star Winner.
Music will even include Jimmy Buffet songs.

The evening will also include our ANNUAL BATON AUCTION
symphony fundraiser. Experience the thrill of standing
before the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra, baton in
hand, as together you produce music to the delight of the
audience. Whether you bid with your own funds or get the
help of your friends and family, you won’t want to miss this
opportunity.

For tickets visit www.lcso.net or call the symphony office
at 219-362-9020.

Flip-Flops Optional!

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La Ste’ Duo

La Ste’ has discovered the wonderful possibilities of combining viola, steel drums, music, and heart.  Though each instrument has their own genre, La Ste’ does not limit themselves to any particular style and are equally happy playing classical or calypso.  They have performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, numerous children’s concerts in the Midwest, and this summer will be guest artists with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra.  This unique duo is a joy to watch.  Their exuberant personalities, imagination, and high-spirited attitudes combine in a delightful way.

Nora R. Frisk - violist
Ms. Frisk holds a bachelor of music degree from the University of Illinois and a master of music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  She has been principal violist of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra since 1987 and can be heard on their two latest cd’s.  She is also a member of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and performs in numerous other ensembles in the Chicago area.  Ms. Frisk held the position of adjunct professor of viola at Valparaiso University from 1994 to 2000, and is now in the same position at Notre Dame University since 2000.  She also maintains a private studio and is an active chamber musician.  She brings a creative style, powerful playing and intense personal expression with her wherever she performs.

Lana D. Wordel - steel pannist/percussionist
Miss Wordel holds a bachelor of music degree from Northern Illinois University.  She has been principal percussionist of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra since 1988.  She is also principal percussionist of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, performs in the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, and recently completed a ten month national tour as a percussionist with the Broadway musical The Lion King.  She is an active performer and teacher, maintaining private studios in Illinois and Indiana.  As a steel pan player Ms. Wordel has performed in Taipei, Trinidad/Tobago, as well as the Chicago area, and has recorded two cd‘s with her steel band - PanGo.  She plays pans made by Trinidadian tuner/composer/arranger Cliff Alexis.

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Kent Arnsbargar - Steel Drum
I was a student at Indiana University @ South Bend studying percussion, marimba & drum set mostly, but included timpani, vibraphone and drum corps styles snare drum and quads.  But one fateful day in 1993 while on a marching band trip to Walt Disney World, my vision of percussion changed forever.  I saw J.P. & the Silver Stars performing outside of Pirates of the Caribbean ride - a steel drum band who had been performing there since the park opened in 1972.  I was amazed by the band & had to be pulled away from them. My life has never quite been the same.  

I started arranging songs I liked and knew people would like to hear.  I recorded all the individual parts myself after learning them on marimba or drum set or whatever I needed. It was a very slow process at first, lots of trial and error to get a good sound.  I essentially do the same thing now only the recording part has gotten to be much quicker thanks to my faster & better Apple computers over the years.

In the summer of 1998 I received my steel drum after 10 months of waiting since I placed my order for it.  That was a hard wait!   It was then a very frustrating journey learning how to play the instrument.  It took FOREVER!  Hardest thing I ever learned how to do and I’m still learning. Such a foreign instrument compared to all others I studied and felt confident with.

I teach percussion as my “day job” with many students from La Porte High School in northern Indiana.  I also write and teach the music for the drum line at LP.

Attachment:
Photo: LaSté Duo
Photo: Kent Arnsbarger

For additional information contact:
Cheryl Ferguson
219-362-9020
Executive@lcso.net