Amazing Journey by Andrew Tallackson Beethoven’S “Sympho- All the Pieces Came To- Ny No
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THE TM 911 Franklin Street Weekly Newspaper Michigan City, IN 46360 Volume 34, Number 17 Thursday, May 3, 2018 Amazing Journey by Andrew Tallackson Beethoven’s “Sympho- all the pieces came to- ny No. 9” not only is one gether. It opened their of the composer’s preem- eyes to what the possi- inent works, but it also bilities could be.” is one of the most widely Now, after 24 seasons performed symphonies. with LCSO, Bauman will Ever. helm his fi nal concert The masterwork, fi rst during “From Hollywood presented publicly in to Broadway” at 7:30 1824, saw Beethoven p.m. Saturday, May 5, step outside the box, at LaPorte Civic Audito- weaving a chorus and rium, 1001 Ridge St. The four soloists into the fi nal Pops concert exemplifi es movement. The words Bauman’s adventurous were cleaved from Fried- spirit when it comes to rich Schiller’s poem, music, of peppering the “Ode to Joy.” Today, even familiar with efforts that those unaccustomed to brave uncharted waters. classical music are fa- “It’s typical of many miliar with the rousing of the Pops concerts in strains of Beethoven’s that I am proud to bring superlative work. to the community, and LaPorte County Sym- to the orchestra, selec- phony Orchestra fi rst tions that are not readily performed “Symphony available or performed No. 9” on Nov. 14, 2000. by other orchestras,” he Philip Bauman consid- said. ers it a milestone mo- That explains why ment. Personally, his concertgoers at the May son, Matt, was born the 5 concert will experience week of the concert. Mu- everything from “Ava- sically, having served as tar,” “La La Land” and LCSO’s conductor and “Hamilton” to Hollywood music director for about composer Rick DeJonge six years, it was proof the returning as guest con- symphony’s musicians Philip Bauman’s journey with LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra began ductor, choosing LCSO back in 1994 when he fi lled in for Steven Blackwelder. could tackle a piece they to debut his multimedia might not have considered. piece, “Tribute to Silent Films.” “They had never performed that work before, and Bauman took time out from rehearsals for his fi - it’s a very challenging work,” Bauman said. “From nal LCSO concert to speak with The Beacher, shar- the standpoint of doing such a monumental work, Continued on Page 2 THE Page 2 May 3, 2018 THE 911 Franklin Street • Michigan City, IN 46360 219/879-0088 • FAX 219/879-8070 %HDFKHU&RPSDQ\'LUHFWRU\ e-mail: News/Articles - [email protected] 'RQDQG7RP0RQWJRPHU\ 2ZQHUV email: Classifieds - [email protected] http://www.thebeacher.com/ $QGUHZ7DOODFNVRQ (GLWRU 'UHZ:KLWH 3ULQW6DOHVPDQ PRINTED WITH Published and Printed by -DQHW%DLQHV ,QVLGH6DOHV&XVWRPHU6HUYLFH TM %HFN\:LUHEDXJK 7\SHVHWWHU'HVLJQHU Trademark of American Soybean Association THE BEACHER BUSINESS PRINTERS 5DQG\.D\VHU 3UHVVPDQ 'RUD.D\VHU %LQGHU\ Delivered weekly, free of charge to Birch Tree Farms, Duneland Beach, Grand Beach, Hidden Shores, Long Beach, Michiana Shores, Michiana MI and Shoreland Hills. The Beacher is also 0LNH%RUDZVNL+RSH&RVWHOOR&KHU\O-RSSHN 3URGXFWLRQ delivered to public places in Michigan City, New Buffalo, LaPorte and Sheridan Beach. -RKQ%DLQHV.DUHQ*HKU&KULV.D\VHU'HQQLV0D\EHUU\ 'HOLYHU\ Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra, Wheaton Amazing Journey Continued from Page 1 Symphony and Downers Grove Oratorio Society. LCSO entered the picture in 1994, ironically as ing fond memories of indelible performances by the a last-minute save when Steven Blackwelder was musicians, and the journey they’ve taken with him unable to serve as conductor. over the past 24 years. Back in 2014, Bauman told The Beacher, “My But fi rst, a little about Bauman. fi rst impres- Born in Battle Creek, Mich., he received a bach- sions (of the elor’s degree in music theory from Western Michi- symphony) were gan University and a master’s degree in orchestral that they were conducting from Northwestern University. His fi rst musicians with experience as a conductor emerged on home turf: a great deal of the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra. Ensuing heart, with a conducting duties would emerge with Chicago Op- desire to do well era Theater, The Opera Factory, da Corneto Opera, and go through Light Opera Works and the Jarvis Conservatory. the process of He created Camera da Musica Concert Society, a rehearsing and chamber music concert series and professional or- performing. The chestra. Affi liations also spanned the Chicago Brass atmosphere in Choir, Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra, Metropoli- the community tan Youth Symphony Orchestra, Elgin Symphony, was very wel- Helming the symphony’s children’s concerts is something Philip Bauman has greatly enjoyed. THE May 3, 2018 Page 3 coming, so that set things in the right direction.” LCSO musicians hail not just from LaPorte Coun- ty, but South Bend, Valparaiso, Southwest Michi- gan and Chicago. On average, the total number of Pottawattomie musicians, which includes substitutes and student apprentices, is about 90. Over the years, Bauman said, younger musicians Country Club have entered the fray, ranging in age from their 20s to their 50s. That balance, of fresh faces performing alongside seasoned LCSO veterans, has invigorated performances. “These younger musicians are aware of our group, and they are excited about participating, and that energy level brings the whole group up a bit,” he said. “And these are musicians who play in other regional orchestras who may not be in leadership positions in those groups, but who can become lead- ers in our groups.” Looking back, Bauman can point to specifi c mo- ments, certain performances, that fi ll him with pride. “Symphony Fantastique” in 2000. “Pines of Rome” and Mozart’s “Requiem” in 2003. “We did a spectacular version of Beethoven’s ‘Symphony No. 3’,” Bauman said, noting that Nic Orbovich, the Michigan City Chamber Music Festi- val co-founder, served as concertmaster during that performance. “When Nic came back and we listened to the (concert) recording, it was just spot-on. PROSPECTIVE MEMBER DAY Pottawattomie Country Club cordially invitesYOU to join us and discover our new membership programs at our Season-Kickoff! SATURDAY, D8P 1), 2018 NOON CST REGISTRATION AT THE PRO SHOP 1:30PM: LUNCH AND TOUR OF FACILITIES 9-HOLE ROUND OF GOLF This is your opportunity to see everything our club has to offer and to experience our award-winning 18-hole golf course, practice tees, practice putting green, full-service pro shop, well-appointed clubhouse. ALL NEW ANNUAL FULL GOLF EPIC MEMBERSHIP $300 Philip Bauman conducts the symphony in a performance that includes The Other Three Tenors. Contact our Business Office for Reservations “Those kinds of accomplishments...were really Phone: 219-872-8624 Ext. 100 eye-opening to the group.” pccbusinessoffi[email protected] How would Bauman characterize his philosophy as conductor? Like any lover of classical music, there are certain pieces he says he would have liked 1900 SPRINGLAND • MICHIGAN CITY, IN to present, but has no regrets that LCSO did not WWW.POTTAWATTOMIE.COM perform them. Continued on Page 4 THE Page 4 May 3, 2018 But when the mo- Amazing Journey Continued from Page 3 ment of truth arrived, Bauman says, the per- “Sometimes, people feel a conductor is doing formance was “magnifi - things only they want to do, things they want to cent.” conduct, and I have never approached it that way,” “It was a moment he said. “I tried to be conscientious that we would of validation,” he said, have a strong degree of success with the numbers “for the orchestra on a we perform.” performance level, (for With “From Hollywood to Broadway” right around me) as a conductor of the corner, is there a particular concert or perfor- the piece. From that mance that stands out the most, that Bauman feels point on, I knew, we defi nes his tenure with the symphony? could tackle anything. That moment arrived in March 2008 when LCSO We had arrived.” presented Carl Orff’s magnifi cent “Carmina Bura- If anything, that Philip Bauman leads the symphony in na.” The work is divided into fi ve major sections, performance, Bauman a concert this past March. with 25 movements total. Along with its iconic im- says, is what he will re- print as a work of contemporary brilliance, the “O member most about his time with LaPorte County’s Fortuna” portion has appeared in countless fi lms symphony. and television commercials, most effectively in “Everyone was just blown away by it,” he said. 1981’s “Excalibur.” “There was a real sense of pride. For the board, for It is a piece Bauman says he was pushing for all of us, it was a reminder that we have a fi rst-class years to perform. symphony.” “I kept saying, ‘We really need to do this piece’,” he recalled. The board, he said, was apprehensive, not just be- Philip Bauman By the Numbers cause of the cost, but also because of the magnitude • Through Hoosier Star, he has worked with of the music, which is scored for a large orchestra, close to 120 different vocalists: 60 youth sing- chorus and soloists. ers and 59 adults singers. If You Go • 13 seasons of children’s concerts, performing for more than 65,000 children. “From Hollywood to Broadway” is at 7:30 p.m. • Conducted More Than 160 Songs. Saturday, May 5, at LaPorte Civic Auditorium, 1001 Ridge St. • Groups who collaborated on performances: Audience members can arrive at 6:30 p.m. for a Blue Moon Dance; Dance Tech; Footlight Play- slide show commemorating Bauman’s tenure and ers; Harbor Arts; Harbor Country Opera; In- experience with the orchestra.