Volume 11, Issue 2-Winter NW Iowa Symphony Orchestra January 2, 2020 SYMPHONIC VISION NISO NOTES Meet NISO Publicity Intern Cara Van Den Top Allison Wordes—Staff Writer NISO welcomed Cara Van Den Top as a publicity intern this year. Van Den Top originally came to Dordt planning to be a Graphic Design major, but because of a confusion in scheduling, she ended up in an intro to marketing class—and hasn’t looked back since. Beginning last September, Van Den Top has promoted concerts on Instagram and Facebook social media platforms and helped highlight orchestra members. Although NISO has been posting events on Facebook for some NISO in Concert with time, Van Den Top has The Texas Tenors for also been able to start a n d k e e p u p a n Winter Pops Concert Instagram page. Her Allison Wordes—Staff Writer posting on Facebook includes tagging The classically trained Texas Tenors have left an members of the Cara Van Den Top impression on listeners everywhere. After 1300 concerts orchestra to help around the world and three Emmys, they now are parents and friends follow what NISO is doing. making their way to Northwest Iowa. She also attends the concerts to catch videos and “America’s Favorite Tenors” first made their mark and photos for the Instagram page. are most famous for appearing on America’s Got Talent Van Den Top is also trying to raise awareness for in 2009. In January, upcoming events in other ways. One is releasing they will join NISO to ads through the radio station; another is to perform in this Winter Pops Concert continue creating TV commercials to attract season’s Winter Pops larger crowds. She also publicizes NISO through Concert. January 18 the Sioux Center Shopper and local church Who are these world- bulletins. 7:30PM famous tenors? There The Texas Tenors concert offers an opportunity to is Marcus Collins, put on a bigger publicity push than normal. “The Contemporary Tenor,” John Hagen, “The Tenor,” and JC Fischer, “The “We are looking to make this one of our biggest Romantic Tenor.” Each has a history of vibrant music- concerts yet,” said Van Den Top. making, including involvement in church and theater Highlighting individual players for NISO has before gaining notoriety as the Texas Tenors. helped Van Den Top put a face on NISO, creating The group has collaborated with symphonies before, a closer relationship between the orchestra drawing on their classical roots. Some of these pairings members and those who attend. have been with the Houston Symphony, the City of “We want to showcase great music,” said Van Den Prague Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Symphony. Top. “How many years they’ve been putting into “I think it will pack the house,” said NISO orchestra mastering a skill is amazing to see.” She has conductor Christopher Stanichar. “We’re very lucky to grown in her respect for the players and those have them.” During this 2019-2020 season, they are who have supported them along their journey. celebrating their 10th anniversary tour and a decade of “God has given them a skill, and they flourish in music-making together. it.” The Texas Tenors have sung for the White House “Every organization has its own voice,” said Van National Tree Lighting, and they currently have a Den Top. Every time she writes a post, she thinks popular live concert titled, “Deep in the about how she can promote NISO and be fluent in H e a r t o f NISO’s terminology. She described the C h r i s t m a s . ” Follow us on Instagram experience as a push towards understanding Their most the musical world. recent albums at niso.nisyo Van Den Top will work with NISO until her are titled “A Like us on Facebook graduation in May and, if the opportunity Collection of permits, even longer. Broadway and Please like and follow NISO on their American Classics” and “Rise,” both of which Instagram at niso.nisyo and on Facebook at successfully debuted at the top of the Billboard Classical https://www.facebook.com/niso.dordt.edu/. You Chart. They also have four DVDs, two PBS specials, and can also purchase tickets for the upcoming Texas a children’s book to their name. (cont.) Tenors event by following the links provided on these sites. NISO NOTES 1 Volume 11, Issue 2-Winter NW Iowa Symphony Orchestra January 2, 2020 (cont. Winter Pops Concert: The Texas Tenors) Purchase Tickets in Advance! The concert is supported, in part, by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and a generous Tickets are available to grant from the Sioux Center Recreation and Arts Council. purchase online at Be sure to attend this ten-star event and be amazed by these musicians’ incredible talent. This event will be held on Saturday, https://niso.dordt.edu January 18, 2020, at 7:30PM in Dordt University’s B.J. Haan Auditorium. Tickets are available to purchase online at https:// niso.dordt.edu. Concert attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance for this anticipated sell-out concert. For more information, contact the NISO office at 712-722-6230 or [email protected]. Celebrity Conductor Contest NISO’s ninth Celebrity Conductor Fundraiser will be held on January 18, 2020, at the Winter Pops Concert. Prominent individuals have been invited to vie for the honor of conducting an orchestral selection that evening. They are vigorously garnering support from family and friends by soliciting donations for NISO. Each dollar donated will constitute one vote. The winning candidate will demonstrate his conducting skill after the intermission. Donations can be sent to the NISO Office at 700 7th Street NE, Sioux Center, IA 51250. Steve Connell – Orange City After graduating from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa with a degree in music education, Steve Connell began his career as Director of Bands at Maurice-Orange City Schools and MOC-Floyd Valley High School. During his 42-year tenure he directed the high school orchestra, pit orchestra, jazz band, pep band, concert bands, and the Pride of the Dutchmen Marching Band. He has led the Pride of the Dutchmen Marching Band in performances at some of the most famous televised parades around the United States. Steve and his wife Cindy are the parents of three sons, Steve Jr., Peter, and Paul, and nine grandchildren. Shortly after he announced his retirement in the spring of 2017, Connell was hired by Northwestern College in Orange City to form the Red Raider Athletic Band. The Red Raider Athletic Band performs at Northwestern football, volleyball, and basketball games. If selected, Connell hopes that his right arm still has some conducting left in it! Dan Vanden Bosch – Sioux Center Dan Vanden Bosch is a family physician with Sioux Center Health. Growing up in Sioux Center, Vanden Bosch was involved in music from elementary school through college, including playing in the Dordt College Concert Band and singing in Concert Choir. After living for nearly 30 years in Eastern Iowa, Vanden Bosch, along with his wife, Sandy, moved back to Sioux Center in 2017. He joined the Campus-Community Band last year, working hard to get his trumpet lips in shape after playing only occasionally for 30 years. His only conducting experience occurred in junior high when his music teacher Gary Vander Hart had him direct the band during practice when he had to go to the office for something. As Vanden Bosch remembers it, the band never sounded better! Today, he frequently air- directs classical music at home or in his car. Vanden Bosch and his wife have two daughters, a son-in-law, and one (soon to be two) grandsons. Lyle Van Raveswaay – Hull Lyle Van Ravenswaay is a native of Sioux Center, attending Dordt College and the University of South Dakota. For the past 23 years, Van Ravenswaay has been teaching instrumental music at Western Christian High School in Hull, Iowa. He and his wife, Mary, have two daughters, Erin Hoekstra and Jenna Potjer, and two sons, Jon and Levi. Van Ravenswaay was connected to NISO, then Sioux County Orchestra, already as an eighth grader, when he played in the trombone section. He distinctly remembers ending one song one beat BEHIND everyone else. As a competitor in the Celebrity Conductor Contest, Van Ravenswaay is planning to finish one beat AHEAD of the competition. Symphonic Vision Northwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra Concerts Dr. Christopher Stanichar, conductor 700 7th Street NE Sioux Center, IA 51250 712.722.6230 WINTER POPS [email protected] Saturday, January 18, 2020 – 7:30PM https://niso.dordt.edu SPRING CONCERT Tuesday, April 7, 2020 – 7:30PM ___________________________________ Northwest Iowa Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerts Like us on Dr. Angela Holt, conductor Facebook! Follow us on Saturday, March 28, 2020, 3:00PM Instagram! NISO NOTES 2.