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Date: April 26, 2005 |
POPS COMCERT FULL OF HITS |
| LaPorte
Herald-Argus
by Robert Dure |
The LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra has been presenting pops concerts
for many years now, and it is still a very popular event. On Saturday
evening, the 2005 concert was presented in the Civic Auditorium. A large
crowd gathered, the excitement was high with anticipation and there was not
a parking place within four blocks of the auditorium.
"A Night on Broadway" was the title, and the program was filled with
familiar tunes from the shows we all love and a few that are brand new.
Soloists were soprano Kimberly Jones and tenor Brian Manternach with the
LaPorte High School Mixed Chorale, all conducted by Philip Bauman.
The orchestra continued its high level of achievement, playing the
entire program without any major flaws. The strings were weak at times, but
the balance between forces was very good, and solo passages were played
admirably. It must have been the placement, but the brass seemed somewhat
subdued. It was a very good sound that emanated from the group.
Maestro Bauman was also in good form. It was a special night in many
ways, and many of the orchestra's longtime members were recognized during
the evening. As a past board member and past president, I join in giving
thanks.
The compositions played included tunes from: "Camelot," "Porgy and
Bess," a medley of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Les Miserables," "Anything Goes,"
"42nd Street," "West Side Story," "Chicago," "South Pacific," "Oklahoma,"
and the new show "Wicked."
The soloists were fine: Jones has a dark-hued, full voice that has a
lush tone, full resonance, and can be dramatic with her operatic tone. Her
range is extensive and she can float pianissimos with ease. Her diction is
not always optimum, but many sopranos have that shortcoming.
Manternach possesses a light lyric tenor voice that he handles well. He
makes great use of mezzo-voce and uses the microphone well. His voice is of
warm quality and is extremely clear, a real pleasure to hear. At times,
though, I wanted to hear some really full tones from his upper register.
Both soloists were first rate in their solos and duets. The Civic is not
an easy place to sing in, and the sound engineer is an important part of the
event. The sound and balance between the singers and the orchestra was extra
fine.
Thomas Coe is the director of the Mixed Chorale and has been a valuable
addition to our community. The vocal program at LaPorte High School has
steadily advanced in quality, and is gaining recognition in other parts of
the state. The chorale performed its part with solid tone and musicianship
and is to be commended for its efforts.
The music from "Wicked" received its local premiere and I understand
that local musicians worked to obtain the music and arranged the orchestra
parts, while Coe arranged the vocal parts. Really great job.
The annual baton auction was won with a $950 bid from Suki Cho. She led
the orchestra in "Stars and Stripes Forever."
It was an especially fine evening of entertainment, and the audience
loved it. The awards and auction made the evening a little long, but I could
have listened to more music with everyone who was involved. |
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| ROBERT
DURE, of LaPorte, holds bachelor's and master's
degrees in music.
He is active in area opera and concert work. |
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