“Swing” Back to the 40s with the RPO
Rochester, NY; June 27, 2006 – When “swing” was the rage, the time was the Fabulous 40s, and it was about having fun and letting go on the dance floor. On Saturday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m., the dance floor expands to the stage of Constellation Brands – Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center (CMAC) as the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra under Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, makes its second appearance in its four concert CMAC series. Guest vocalists Daniel Narducci and Rochester native Robin McKelle join the RPO, with a special appearance by champion international lindy hop dancers Kevin St. Laurent and Carla Heiney. Badge Machine Products sponsors this concert; the RPO’s summer CMAC series is sponsored by Constellation Brands. Canandaigua National Bank is proud to be the CMAC Summer Residency sponsor.
The repertoire on this concert provides a snapshot of the decade of the 1940s, from American popular music of the time to swing, Broadway, and film. Music will include the Casablanca Suite from the classic film of the same name, Copland’s Hoe Down from “Rodeo,” music from “South Pacific,” “Oklahoma,” and songs by Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and others. Heiney and St. Laurent will show off their energetic swing dance talents to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, One O’Clock Jump, In the Mood, and Tyzik’s own Swing Dance Medley.
“The Forties,” sighs Robin McKelle. “I was born to be in that time. You listen to the music from that period, and you picture these wonderful love stories between men and women. You picture how it was really supposed to be.” A Rochester native and daughter of a liturgical singer, McKelle attended Greece Athena High School, and received her bachelor of music degree from the Berklee College of Music, where she is now on the voice faculty. After placing at the 2004 Thelonious Monk Vocal Jazz Competition in Washington, D.C., she was offered a featured soloist spot with the Boston Pops Orchestra. Her new CD Introducing Robin McKelle – on Cheap Lullaby Records – debuted at #9 and jumped to #6 on the Billboard Jazz Chart. It also started as the #5 best-selling CD on amazon.com and the #1 best-selling jazz album on barnesandnoble.com in pre-release sales.
Renowned for his versatility as a performer, Daniel Narducci is equally at home on the operatic, musical theatre and concert stages. Since his professional debut with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Mr. Narducci has appeared with many of the world’s most prestigious orchestras in programs, ranging from the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein to Rossini. Recent performances include Mr. Narducci’s Lincoln Center debut at Alice Tully Hall as the soloist in An Evening of American Operetta, as well as the role of Captain Hook in the world premiere recording of Leonard Bernstein’s Peter Pan.
Internationally recognized instructors and world-class dancers Kevin St. Laurent & Carla Heiney hold competition titles from the most prestigious swing dance competitions. Their titles include current World Lindy Hop Champion, Improvisational division 2005, four-time US Open Lindy Hop Champions (2001-2004), two-time American Lindy Hop Champions (2001-2002), and two-time North Atlantic Lindy Hop Champions (2002-2003). They took first place in the Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown Team Division (Sept. 2004) and each individually won first place in the Pro Jack & Jill at Camp Hollywood (2004).
CMAC tickets are $15-$50 in advance; $20-$55 at the gate. Discounts are available for seniors, students and children. CMAC tickets are available at the RPO Box Office (585) 454-2100, online at www.rpo.org, through Ticket Express, or through Ticketmaster (585) 232-1900. Discounts are available for senior citizens, students and children 12 and under. Please note: CMAC summer tickets are NOT available at Wegmans.
CMAC is located on Lincoln Hill Road in Canandaigua; concerts take place rain or shine. The grounds open at 6 p.m. and concertgoers are encouraged to bring their own blanket or lawn chair for relaxing on the hillside. Glass, disposable plastic and metal containers, grills, pets, fireworks, recording devices and cameras are not permitted on the grounds. Reusable plastic containers and vacuum-seal bottles are allowed. There are new ground rules in place for insurance and liability purposes: alcoholic beverages may not be brought into CMAC (beer and wine will be available for purchase).
Celebrating its 83rd season in 2005-06, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s mission is to perform and present a broad range of quality music; attract, entertain and educate audiences with superior musical performances; maintain and build the Orchestra’s national reputation; and enhance the reputation of the Rochester community as a place in which to live, work, play, visit and learn.
RPO performances are made possible in part with grants from the National Endowment for the Arts; the New York State Council on the Arts, a State Agency; the State of New York; the County of Monroe; the City of Rochester; and American Airlines, the official airline of the RPO.
