2 www.orchestrakentucky.com 2018–2019 SEASON

18–19 Sponsors | 5 Music Director | 6 J.C. Kirby & Son Christmas Spectacular! | 8 Winter Dance Party | 12 | 17 Orchestra Kentucky Personnel | 20 David Jones Artwork | 22–23

Did You Know? Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week through at least one full year are: • 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement • 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools • 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair • 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance • 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

Orchestra Kentucky 3 4 www.orchestrakentucky.com

JEFFREY REED MUSIC DIRECTOR

“A melody, a lyric, or a certain harmony can trigger memories,” says conductor Jeffrey Reed.

6 www.orchestrakentucky.com JEFFREY REED MUSIC DIRECTOR

Reed has been bringing back the memories as music director of Orchestra Kentucky since he founded it in 2000. Sometimes combining classical and popular music, his concert presentations are singularly authentic, recreating the soundtracks of music’s greatest decades. From the 17th century to our time, his concerts celebrate anniversaries and music milestones, from Beethoven, Mahler and Stravinsky, to Elvis, The Beatles and The Carpenters, drawing on some of the nation’s brightest musical talent.

Reed has worked with BJ Thomas, , Paul Williams, Peter Tork, Glen Campbell, Keith Emerson, Neil Sedaka, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., Mary Wilson, Melissa Manchester, Chris Young, and many others in appearances with his own orchestra and orchestras in Milan (Italy), St. Petersburg (Russia), and South Korea. Reed has twice appeared with the Royal Philharmonic at London’s Royal Albert Hall at the specific request of Neil Sedaka.

In the United States, Jeffrey Reed has conducted the orchestras of Alabama, Augusta, Charleston, Detroit, Knoxville, Louisville, Memphis, Nashville, Omaha, Phoenix, Portland (ME), Quad Cities (IA), Sacramento, South Bend and Winston-Salem. This season he will return to the Quad Cities and will appear for the first time with the Greensboro (NC) Symphony Orchestra.

Reed has been involved in commissioning world premieres of classical works by legendary pop artists Neil Sedaka, Keith Emerson, Peter Tork, Jimmy Webb, and Italian pops sensation, Giovanni Allevi.

His programming has been nationally recognized. Bestselling author and marketer Seth Godin singled out Jeffrey Reed in his best-selling study of new creativity, “Small is the New Big.” Godin praised his “clever” concerts and praised the “totally different way” Reed approaches programming. Reed is the only musician featured in the book.

In 2015, the University of Louisville named Reed its Alumni Fellow for the School of Music in recognition of his distinguished work in his chosen field. In 2008, he received the Jefferson Award for public service in South Central Kentucky.

In addition to his work with Orchestra Kentucky, Reed served as principal guest conductor of Symphony Orchestra Augusta and has also served as music director of the North Charleston Pops and the Murfreesboro Symphony.

He is represented by agent Rachel Bowron.

Orchestra Kentucky 7 J.C. KIRBY & SON CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR! December 15, 2018 | 7:30 PM | SKyPAC

Larnelle Harris, special guest Orchestra Kentucky Orchestra Kentucky Chorale First Baptist Church Handbells Dancing Elves from the WKU Dance Department Children’s Choir Jeffrey Reed, conductor Nancy Cron, chorus master Ricky Clark, handbells director Christa St. John, choreography Pamela Thurman, Sandra Dye, Karen Watkins, Michele Steiner, children’s choir directors

Arr. Anderson Christmas Festival Arr. Dragon Twelve Days of Christmas Orchestra Kentucky Chorale Leontovich/Wilhousky/ Carol of the Bells Hayman First Baptist Church Handbells Various/Sheehan Holiday Medley Dancing Elves Herbert/Langey March of the Toys Burt/Adams Some Children See Him Children’s Choir and Chorale Arr. Goeller Christmas Carol Sing-Along Berlin/Bennett White Christmas

8 www.orchestrakentucky.com J.C. KIRBY & SON CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR! December 15, 2018 | 7:30 PM | SKyPAC

INTERMISSION

Christmas with Styne & Cahn/ Let it Snow!/Sleigh Ride Anderson & Parish Torme & Wells/ The Christmas Song/Silver Bells Livingston & Evans Mason & Douglas King Jesus is His Name African-American Go Tell it on the Mountain Spiritual Various Joy Medley Adam/Wade O Holy Night/O Come All Ye Faithful Gruber & Mohr Silent Night Harris All Year Long American Gospel Song Amen

VARIETY SERIES SPONSORED BY Haskins Foundation

CONCERT SPONSORED BY

CONCERT CO-SPONSORED BY

Orchestra Kentucky 9 GUEST ARTIST

Larnelle Harris vocalist

Admired by fans and peers alike for his majestic tenor voice, Larnelle Harris has become the personification of talent and integrity in a career that spans over five decades. He is the only person in history to be a member of three distinct hall of fame organizations—Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame.

Larnelle has garnered numerous accolades for his music including five Grammy Awards, eleven Dove Awards (three of which were for Male Vocalist of the Year), and a Stellar Award for Best Solo Performance, among many other musical honors. Larnelle was recently recognized by his home state of Kentucky with the Governor’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts, making him the first Christian artist to receive the award. He has achieved nineteen #1 radio singles and countless top 10 hits. From the White House to the danger zone of the 38th Parallel, Larnelle has impacted audiences across the globe with his music. He was the first Christian artist to perform inside the Kremlin after the fall of the Soviet Union. He is one of a handful of celebrities to receive the Ad Council's Silver Bell Award for Distinguished Public Service in recognition of his song Mighty Spirit as the theme song for the longest-running Public Service Announcement in television history.

Larnelle recently released a compilation CD featuring two new songs. The title track, Disturb Us, Lord, was played on hundreds of stations nationwide and landed on the Christian Music Weekly’s National Inspirational radio chart. The music video for the song recently garnered the Gold Award for Best Music Video from the Christian Family Film Festival.

In 2018, Harris released his first memoir entitled Shaped Notes: How Ordinary People with Extraordinary Gifts Influenced my Life and Career. The book went to #1 on Amazon within three days of its release. Later this year, Larnelle will release his first Christmas musical, based on his original song All Year Long from his Grammy Award-winning Christmas album. Married to wife Cynthia (a.k.a. Mitzy) for over 45 years, Larnelle has successfully combined the demanding lifestyle of a global music career with being a husband, father, and grandfather. Still a sought- after vocalist for tours, special events and ceremonies, Larnelle continues to perform solo concerts for churches and various organizations worldwide each year.

10 www.orchestrakentucky.com Orchestra Kentucky 11 WINTER DANCE PARTY

FEBRUARY 2, 2019 | 7:30 PM | SKyPAC

Jeffrey Reed, conductor John Mueller as Buddy Holly Ray Anthony as Ritchie Valens Linwood Sasser as The Big Bopper Jerry Angel, drums Ed Maxwell, bass Mike Acosta, saxophone Buzz Campbell, lead guitar

A reenactment of the last concert given by Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Booper, 60 years ago tonight, on February 2, 1959.

Selections to be announced from the stage.

RETRO SERIES SPONSORED BY Jim & Darlene Johnson

CONCERT SPONSORED BY

CONCERT CO-SPONSORED BY

12 www.orchestrakentucky.com GUEST ARTISTS

John Mueller’s “Winter Dance Party” ® is the official live and authentic re-creation of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper's final tour and the only show endorsed by the Holly, Valens and Richardson estates. Their unbridled, high voltage entertainment featuring all the hit songs of the 50's era: That'll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Oh, Boy, Rave on, La Bamba, Chantilly Lace, and many, many more.

The Winter Dance Party show has performed in front of over 2 million people on national TV for the Jerry Lewis Telethon, has toured extensively throughout the United States and Canada at theatres, performing arts centers, ballrooms, corporate events, casinos and even the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with John Mellencamp, Marshall Crenshaw and others.

JOHN MUELLER AS BUDDY HOLLY

John Mueller was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas and bears a striking resemblance to Holly. He has had a successful professional acting career, but his real passion has remained with Buddy Holly and rock and roll.

Since 1999, every year has found John touring the frozen U.S. Midwest to recreate the Winter Dance Party that was to be Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper's final tour. John has played in every remaining ballroom that the originals did over 44 years ago.

Recently, John was proud to have performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with John Mellencamp, Marshall Crenshaw, Nanci Griffith, and Joe Ely, to name a few. Other highlights include a live TV appearance with over 2 million viewers nationwide on the Jerry Lewis Telethon.

John takes an authentic approach to Buddy's music. He plays Holly's songs true to their original form on a reissued 1957 Fender Stratocaster - the exact year and make of Buddy's guitar - and uses the same heavy flatwound guitar strings that Buddy used. John is indeed living proof that Buddy Holly lives on.

Orchestra Kentucky 13 GUEST ARTISTS

RAY ANTHONY AS RITCHIE VALENS

Ray Anthony is a veteran of the music industry. A talented musician, Ray is a self-taught guitar player, bass player, drummer, and songwriter.

Ray first became interested in rock and roll at the age of seven while watching in the 1968 Comeback Special. He was inspired to stand in front of the mirror shaking his leg just like the king of rock and roll. Ironically, the Ritchie Valens tribute fell into Ray’s lap. While performing his 50’s and 60’s single act throughout Canada and the U.S., audience members began making reference to Ray’s uncanny resemblance to Lou Diamond Phillips in the 1987 film La Bamba and ever since he has become synonymous with Ritchie Valens. He has earned the praise of Ritchie Valens own family with Irma Valens (Ritchie’s sister) proclaiming, “Everytime I see Ray perform as Ritchie it brings a tear to my eye.”

Based in Las Vegas, Ray performs frequently with the Legends In Concert show at the Imperial Palace. Ray’s energetic approach to entertaining an audience, plus his amazing live guitar playing, equal an unparalleled “Ritchie” tribute.

14 www.orchestrakentucky.com GUEST ARTISTS

LINWOOD SASSER AS THE BIG BOPPER

Linwood has always been a little bit big, and boppin' seems to be what he does the best. He has performed with John Mueller's 50’s Dance Party as the Big Bopper since 2008. You may have also seen him perform as Jake in Show at Universal Studios Florida throughout the 1990s until 2001.

Linwood Sasser graduated from the Florida State University School of Theater and has had a successful acting career. He has been directed by both Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks in featured movie roles. He was recently featured in The 1950's Wake Up - a national JCPenney commercial, starring Ellen Degeneres.

Though born in the Panama Canal Zone, Linwood currently resides in Simi Valley, CA and works as an actor in Los Angeles.

Orchestra Kentucky 15 16 www.orchestrakentucky.com GAITHER VOCAL BAND

NOVEMBERMARCH 16, 3, 20192018 | 7:307:30pm PM | |SKyPAC SKyPAC

Jeffrey Reed, conductor Bill Gaither, vocalist and founder , vocalist Adam Crabb, vocalist Todd Suttles, vocalist Reggie Smith, vocalist Larnelle Harris, guest vocalist

Selections will be announced from the stage.

CONCERT SPONSORED BY FRIENDS OF SALVATION ARMY

Orchestra Kentucky 17 GUEST ARTIST

Gaither Vocal Band vocalist

Since the early 1990s, the Gaither Vocal Band has served as a standard-bearer in the world of gospel music. Founded by legendary gospel songwriter and producer, Bill Gaither, this Grammy-winning vocal group has performed in the world’s most prestigious venues, including the Sydney Opera House, The Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.

The list of men who have comprised the Gaither Vocal Band over the past 30 years reads like a “Who’s Who” among the gospel music industry’s best-loved voices, including Steve Green, Larnelle Harris, , Michael English, and many others.

Today, the Gaither Vocal Band roster is comprised of five power-packed voices, including Bill Gaither, Wes Hampton, Adam Crabb, Todd Suttles and Reggie Smith. Individually, these men are gifted artists and men of authentic faith. Together, they are the known around the world for their stunning vocals, innovative harmonies and life-altering message… a message of grace, hope and redemption.

18 www.orchestrakentucky.com

ORCHESTRA KENTUCKY PERSONNEL

Music Director Jeffrey Reed

FIRST VIOLIN VIOLA FLUTE Hal Grossman, Jack Griffin, Tacy Edwards, guest concertmaster principal principal Jim & Darlene Johnson Chair Kerry McCay Sharer Robin & Dr. David Christina McGann, Memorial Chair Ciochetty Chair guest concertmaster Idalynn Besser Heidi Alvarez Jim & Rita Scott Chair Bruce Christensen Julia Noone, Jennifer Shackleton PICCOLO guest concertmaster Meghan Casper Julie Ditzel Houchens Industries Chair Melinda Whitley Jung-Min Shin, Michelle Lackey Collins guest concertmaster Evan Vicic OBOE J.C. Kirby & Son Funeral Jennifer Potochnic, Chapels Chair acting principal Randall Olson, CELLO Ward & Jane Coleman Chair co-concertmaster Kevin Bate, Pamela Thurman Heart Strings & Chatters Chair principal Stefan Petrescu Franklin Bank & Trust Chair Amy Helman Patrick Binford, ENGLISH HORN Zoya Leybin assistant principal Elizabeth Robertson Kristi Seehafer Lora & Pat Patton Chair Charles Dixon Stephen Drake CLARINET Beverly Drukker Nicholas Gold Emily Bowland, Isabel Bartles Sarah Berry principal Deidre Bacco Ian Schroeder Carol & Denny Wedge Chair Jessica Blevins Andrew Dunn Robert Shankle Sarah Cole Grace Hartman BASS CLARINET SECOND VIOLIN BASS John Cipolla Jung-Min Shin, Karl Olsen, Shelton CPAs, LLP Chair principal principal Tom & Sandy Boussard Chair Jeffrey & Sherryl Reed Chair BASSOON Helen Motter Bert Witzel Greg Olson Andrew Witherington, Jennay Keelin principal Lacy Jean Paul Reich Tim Pearson Bob & Pat Goodwin Chair Julianna Waller-Swiebel Patricia Gunter Jocelyn Sprouse David Messina Rebecca Neely Julie Lastinger CONTRABASSOON Saelim Jung Henderson Patricia Gunter Mary Grace Reed

20 www.orchestrakentucky.com ORCHESTRA KENTUCKY PERSONNEL

SAXOPHONE BASS TROMBONE HARP Jimmy Bowland Bryan Heath, Paula Bressman, Doug Moffet principal principal Glenna & Johnny Webb Chair HORN KEYBOARDS Harry Ditzel, TUBA Grace Baugh-Bennett, principal Joe Stites, principal Gerald Printing Chair principal Michael Thurman Pat Mercer Chair Jon Gustely PERSONNEL Kristen Sienkiewicz TIMPANI MANAGER Mark Berry, Lee K. Blakeman TRUMPET principal Dan Kassteen, Jolene & Butch Rush Chair principal LIBRARIAN Steve & Mary Loyce PERCUSSION Gregory Motter Wheeler Chair Todd Sheehan, Reese Land principal PRODUCTION Gregory Motter Jim & Eva Martens Chair MANAGER Webb Hendrix Gregory Motter TROMBONE Marty Sharer Lee Blakeman, principal US Bank Chair Bill Huber

Orchestra Kentucky 21 22 www.orchestrakentucky.com ARTWORK BY DAVID JONES

Orchestra Kentucky 23 THE ANNUAL NUMBER OF HEART ATTACKS COULD TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY. SO COULD JUST ONE HEART ATTACK.

Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing are just two warning signs of a heart attack. Call 911 if you experience any warning sign. Learn the other signs at americanheart.org or call us at 1-800-AHA-USA1.

© 2002, American Heart Association.

24 www.orchestrakentucky.com