1931-1932
Richard Crooks, Tenor
Robert Goldsand, Pianist
Barrere Little Symphony
1932-1933
Nelson Eddy, Baritone
Bartlett and Robertson, Duo-Pianists
Cherniovsky Trio
1933-1934
Rose Bampton, Soprano
Nicolai Orloff, Pianist
Nathan Milstein, Violinist
1934-1935
Dalies Frantz, Pianist
Lotte Lehman, Soprano
Barrere-Britt-Salzedo (joint Recital) for Flute, Harp, Cello
1935-1936
Nino Martini, Tenor
Leonard Shure, Pianist
Gregor Piatigorsky, Cellist
Katherine Meisle, Contralto
1936-1937
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Victor Kolar, Conductor
Helen Othelm, Mezzo-Soprano
Myra Hess, Pianist
Joseph Bentonelli, Tenor
1937-1938
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Franco Ghione, Conductor
Charles Kullmann, Tenor
Misha Elman, Violinist
Caspar Cassado, Cellist
Marian Anderson, Contralto
1938-1939
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Franco Ghione, Conductor
Bruna Castagna, Contralto
Artur Rubinstein, Pianist
Gregor Piatigorsky, Cellist
Lawrence Tibbett, Baritone
1939-1940
Vronsky and Babin, Duo-Pianists
Robert Virovai, Violinist
Bidu Sayao, Soprano
Lotte Lehmann, Soprano and Lauritz Melchoir, Tenor
Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
1940-1941
Norman Cordon, Baritone and Marcel Hubert, Cellist
New York Philharmonic Orchestra, John Barbirolli, Conductor
Coolidge String Quartet with Erno Balogh, Pianist
Helen Traubel, Dramatic Soprano
Rudolph Serkin, Pianist
1941-1942
Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
Dorothy Maynor, Soprano
Yehudi Menuhin, Violinist
Vronsky and Babin, Duo-Pianists
Emanuel Feuermann, Cellist
1942-1943
John Charles Thomas, Baritone
Zino Francescatti, Violinist
Don Cossack Chorus, Serge Jaroff. Conductor
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, Moissave Boguslawski, Piano Soloist, Dmitri Mitropoulos, Conductor
Guiomar Novaes, Pianist
1943-1944
Gladys Swarthoul, Mezzo-Soprano
Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf, Conductor
James Melton, Tenor
Sanroma, Pianist
Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
1944-1945
Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, Vladimir Golschmann, Conductor
Rudolph Firkusney, Pianist
Marjorie Lawrence, Dramatic Soprano
William Primrose, Violist
Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
1945-1946
Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, Marisa Regules, Piano Soloist, Erich Leinsdorf, Conductor,
Patricia Travers, Violinist
Leonard Warren, Baritone
Bidu Sayao, Soprano
Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
1946-1947
Jennie Tourel, Mezzo-Soprano
Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, Tossy Spivakovsky, Violin Soloist, George Szell, Conductor
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, Dimitri Mitropoulos, Conductor
Vronsky and Babin, Duo-Pianists
Jussi Bjoerling, Tenor
1947-1948
Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
Joseph Fuchs, Violinist
Maryla Jonas. Pianist
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Fritz Reiner, Conductor
Christopher Lynch, Tenor
1948-1949
Ginetle Neveu, Violinist
Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, George Szell, Conductor
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, Eleanor Steber, Soprano, Dmitri Mitropoulos, Conductor
Philharmonic Piano Quartette
1949-1950
The Charles Wagner Opera Company in Cavalleria Rusiicana/ Pagliacci
Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, Sigi Weissenberg, Pianist, George Szell, Conductor
Zino Francescatti, Violinist
Italo Tajo, Bass-Baritone
1950-1951
The Charles Wagner Opera Company in LaBoheme (Puccini)
Ennio Bolognini, Cellist
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, Elena Nikolaidi, Contralto, Antal Dorati, Conductor
Clifford Citrzon, Pianist
1951-1952
The Charles Wagner Opera Company In La Traviata (Verdi)
Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, George Szell, Conductor
Robert Casadesus, Pianist
Robert Shaw Chorale and Concert Orchestra, Robert Shaw, Conductor
Ossy Renardy, Violinist
1952-1953
Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, George Szell, Conductor
Charles Wagner Opera Company in Carmen (Bizet)
Irmgard Seefried, Soprano
Gershwin Festival, Lorin Maazel, Conductor
Denver Symphony Orchestra, Saul Caston, Conductor
1953-1954
Rise Stevens, Soprano
Tossy Spivakovsky, Violinist
The Ballet Theatre
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, Antal Dorati, Conductor
Witold Malcuzynski, Pianist
1954-1955
Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, George Szell, Conductor
Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
Leon Fleisher, Pianist
William Primrose, Violist
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Eiieen Farrell, Soprano, Erich Leinsdorf, Conductor
1955-1956
Obernkirchen Children's Choir, Edith Moeller, Conductor
Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch, Conductor
Daniel Wayenberg, Pianist
William Warfield, Baritone
The Ballet Theatre
1956-1957
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Herbert Von Karajan. Conductor
Jerome Hines, Bass
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Thor Johnson, Conductor
Bryon Janis, Piano Soloist
Lily Pons, Soprano
1957-1958
The NBC Opera Company in The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart)
Leontyne Price, Soprano
American Ballet Theatre
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, Antal Dorati, Conductor
1958-1959
Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, George Szell, Conductor
Robert Merrill, Baritone
National Symphony Orchestra, Howard Mitchell, Conductor
Leon Fleisher, Piano Soloist
Ruth Page Chicago Opera Ballet
1959-1960
Obernkirchen Children's Choir, Edith Moeller, Conductor
Godovsky Grand Opera Theatre in Rigoletto (Verdi)
Nathan Milstein, Violinist
Jorge Bolet, Pianist
Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, Eugene Jochum, Conductor
1960-1961
Jaime Laredo, Violinist
Goldovsky Grand Opera Theatre in Don Giovanni (Mozart)
Cornell Macneil, Baritone
Robert Joffrey Ballet
Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam, Eugene Jochum, Conductor
1961-1962
Gary Grafman, Pianist
Branko Krsmanovich Chorus, Bogdan Babich, Conductor
Dorothy Kirsten, Soprano
Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. Eugene Ormandy, Conductor
1962-1963
Van Cliburn, Piano
Camilla Williams, Soprano
Leonard Rose, Cellist
Ruth Page Chicago Opera Ballet
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, Conductor
1963-1964
Godovsky Grand Opera Theatre in Tosca (Puccini)
Claudio Arrau, Pianist
Philharmonia Hungarica Orchestra, Miltiades Caridies, Conductor
Robert Jeffrey Ballet
Gianna D'Angelo, Soprano
1964-1965
Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Jean Martinon, Conductor
Leopold Simoneau, Tenor
DePaur Chorus, Leonard DePaur, Conductor
Gold and Fizdale, Duo-Pianists
San Franciso Ballet
1965-1966
Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, George Szell, Conductor
Grand Ballet Classique de France
Goidovsky Opera Theatre in La Boheme (Puccini)
Jean Paul Sevilla, Pianist
Lili Chookasian, Contralto
1966-1967
Roger Wagner Chorale with Orchestra, Roger Wagner, Conductor
Grant Johannesen, Pianist
Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, Slanislaw Skrowaczewski, Conductor
Ruth Page International Ballet and the Royal Danish Ballet
Mary Cosia, Soprano
1967-1968
Zara Nelsova,
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Karel Ancerl, Conductor
Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Westminster Choir, George Lynn, Conductor
Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Seizi Ozawa, Conductor
1968-1969
Harkness Ballet
Jeffrey and Ronald Marlow, Duo-Pianists
Columbus Boychoir, Donald Bryant, Conductor
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Sixten Ehrling, Conductor
Robert Merrill, Baritone
1969-1970
National Ballet of Canada
Camerata Chorale, Abraham Kaplan, Conductor
Lily Kraus, Pianist
Edith Peinemann, Violinist
Washington National Symphony Tour
Orchestra, Arthur Fiedler, Conductor
Hiro Imamura, Piano Soloist
1970-1971
Canadian Opera Company in Orpheus in the Underworld (Offenbach)
David Bar-Illan, Pianist
The National Ballet
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Sixten Ehrling, Conductor
Virgil Fox, Organist
1971-1972
Royal Winnipeg Ballet
Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, Conductor
Whittemore and Lowe, Duo-Pianists
The Young Americans, Milton C. Andersen, Director
1972-1973
New York Pro Musics in "An Entertainment for Elizabeth" George Houle, Director
Marcel Marceau, Mime
Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra, Janos Ferencsik, Director
Istvan Lantos. Piano Soloist
National Ballet of Washington in (Tschaikowsky)
1973-1974
Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra, Walter Goldschmit, Conductor
Canadian Opera Company in Cossi Fan Tutti (Mozart)
Norwegian National Ballet
Phillippe Entremont, Pianist
1974-1975
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Aido Ceccato, Conductor
Nathan Gordon, Violin Soloist
Ballet Repertory Company of New York
Obernkirchen Children's Choir, Edith Moeller, Conductor
Christine Ortiz, Pianist
1975-1976
Garde Republicaine Band of Paris, Roger Boutry, Conductor
Stephanie Chase, Violin
Canadian Opera Company in La Boheme (Puccini)
Welsh Choir of Cardiff, Elwyn Williams, Conductor
1976-1977
Richard Thomas Theatre Ballet
Fred Waring and His Young Pennsylvanians, Fred Waring, Conductor
The Young Americans in "The Music Man" (Willson)
Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, Karl Munchinger, Conductor
1977-1978
The Young Americans in "West Side Story" (Bernstein)
Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, Dubrovka Tomsic, Piano, Anton Kolar, Conductor
The New Christy Minstrels
National Ballet of Flanders
1978-1979
"The Sound of Music" (Rodgers and Hammerstein)
Grant and Winn, Duo-Pianists
Pirin — Bulgarian National Folk Ensemble
Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra of Wilnus, Michael Petukhov, Piano, Sauiius Sondeckis, Conductor
1979-1980
"South Pacific" (Rodgers and Hammerstein)
Cloud Gale Dance Theatre of Taiwan
Saar Philharmonic Orchestra, Hans Zender, Director
Roger Wagner Chorale, Roger Wagner, Director
1980-1981
Fred Waring and the New Pennsylvanians, Fred Waring, Conductor
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in Nutcracker (Tschaikovsky)
Franz Liszt Orchestra of Budapest, Janos Rolla, Director
The Young Americans in a Gershwin Festival
Andras Schiff. Pianist
1981-1982
Eastern Opera Theatre of New York in Merry Widow (Lehar)
Big Band Show
Alvino Key and His Orchestra
Sleven and Nadya Gordon, Duo-Pianists
Kibbutz Orchestra of Israel, Noam Sheriff, Director
Emily Milchel, Harp Soloist
Dear Mr- Ziegfeld, a Musical Tribute
1982-1983
The Romeros, Classical Guitarists
Zagreb Grand Ballet of the Croatian National Theatre
Glenn Miller Orchestra, Larry O'Brien, Director
Eastern Brass Quintet
Max Morath, Ragtime Pianist
1983-1984
Ballet National Espanol
Swedish National Orchestra of Gothenburg, Neeme Jarvi, Conductor
Black Light Theatre of Prague, Jiri Srnec, Director
Jack Daniel's Original Silver Cornet Band presents "Hometown Saturday Night"
Kun-Woo Paih, Pianist
1984-1985
Aman — America's International Folk Ensemble
Romanian National Choir, Marin Constatin, Conductor
Toccata and Flourishes, Richard Morris, Organ with Scott Thorburg, Trumpet
Constantine Orbelian, Pianist
Big Band Cavalcade '85
Alvino Rey and His Orchestra
1985-1986
Chamber Ballet (USA)
Chanticleer (Male Chorus)
Ferrante and Teicher, Duo-Pianists
Bonn Woodwind Quintet, with Steven Masi, Piano
1986-1987
Festival of India
Jack Daniel's Original Silver Cornet Band presents "Hometown Christmas"
The Young Americans presents "Around the World in 80 Fun Wonderful Days"
Kathryn Brown, Pianist
Regensburg Cathedral Boys Choir George Ratzinger, Director
1987-1988
'Facinatin' Rhythm" Music of George Gershwin, Kevin Cole, Pianist
The Canadian Brass
Tamburilzans—Music and Dances of SE Europe
Roger Wagner Chorale, Roger Wagner, Director
1988-1989
Royal Ballet of Flanders
Broadway Marionettes in A Christmas Carol (Dickens)
Prague Chamber Orchestra with Jeremy Menuhin, Pianist
Dukes of Dixieland
1989-1990
Julie Meyer, Soprano with Sara Hansen, Pianist
Alexandria Quintet
Belgrade Festival Strings, Alexander Pavlovic, Conductor
Leonid Kuzmin, Piano Soloist
Me and My Girl - Noel Gay
The Swingle Singers
1990-1991
The Dallas Brass
Le Ballet Francais De Nancy
Branko Krsmanovich Chorus of Yugoslavia, Darinka Matich-Marovich, Conductor
Roger Williams, In Concert
Hector Olivera, Organist
1991-1992
Guildhall String Ensemble, Michala Petri, Recorder Soloist
Glasnost Ballet
Ziegfeld - A Night at the Follies
Leonid Kuzmin, Pianist
1992-1993
Empire Brass
Vancouver Wind Trio
Concordia University Wind Symphony
Markham & Broadway, Duo-Pianists
1993-1994
Oklahoma
Toccatas and Flourishes, Organ & Trumpet
John Bayless, Pianist
Colorado Children's Chorale
1994-1995
Mac Frampton
Hungarian Virtuosi Orchestra
The Magic Rose Ballet (A Tale of Beauty & The Beast)
Matinee of the Magic Rose
Cantabile Singers
1995-1996
Central Band of the Royal Air Force
Rockapella
David Alien Wehr, Pianist
Eroica Trio
Imperial Chinese Acrobats & Magicians
1996-1997
42nd Street, Musical Production
Brenda Booser, Mezzo Soprano
Epic Brass
Jubilant Sykes & Alan Chow, Baritone and Pianist
1997-1998
Rhythm in Shoes, Dance
Overholt & Vetea Baritone and Soprano
Dale Gonyea, Pianist/Composer/Comedian
Gershwin American Rhapsody
Bulgarian Children's Choir
1998-1999
River City Brass Band
Black Mt. Male Chorus of Wales
Rajko Song & Dance Ensemble
Lewis & Perry, Duo-Pianists
Lainie Nelson in White Cliffs of Dover
1999-2000
Tribute to a Century, Fred Garbo's Inflatable Theater
Leon Bates, Pianist
Boston Brass
Festival of Four, Guitars and Flute
2000-2001
Birth of the Beat, Rodrick Dixon, Tenor
Side Street Strutters Jazz Band
Elmer Iseler Singers
Robert Post, comedian/dancer
Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra
2001-2002
Three Mo' Tenors (Victor Cook, Rodrick Dixon, Thomas Young)
Chinese Golden Dragon Acrobats
Ossipov Balalaika Orchestra
Funny Girl, Musical Production
Joe Burgstaller, Trumpet - The Rafael Mendez Project
2002-2003
Bowfire, Violinists
Cantus, Male Vocal Ensemble
Barry Manilow's Copacabana, Musical Production,
Frank Vignola & The Hot Club USA, Jazz Guitar
2003-2004
I Get a KICK Out of Cole, Musical Production
Proteus 7, Brass, Winds, & Percussion
American Boychoir
Mr Jack Daniel's Original Silver Cornet Band
2004-2005
Three Hits and a Miss
I Solisti di Venezia
Measure for Measure
My One & Only, Gershwin Musical Revue
Mac Frampton, Pop Go the classics
2005-2006
Burning River Brass
Hector Olivera, Organist
King's Singers
American Big Band
2006-2007
The Four Freshmen
Great China Acrobats
Time For Three, string trio
The Artie Shaw Orchestra
2007-2008
Bay Street Brassworks
Concordia Wind Symphony
A Viennese Christmas: New Sigmund Romberg Orch. & Soloists
Quattrocelli - Cello Quartet
Revolution: Music of the Beatles
2008-2009
Kevin Cole
American Jukebox - 1950's Popular Music Revue
Michel Lauziere
Daniel Narducci, Baritone
Colorado Children's Chorale
The early concert seasons consisted of three concerts each, with the formula vocalist, pianist, and chamber group. In 1936, the first full orchestra was engaged and by necessity the concerts were moved to the larger Saginaw Auditorium.
Many artists appeared in Saginaw early in their careers, but Marion Anderson, age forty was by now internationally famous. Her appearance occurred two years after a famous incidence of racism, in which she was denied from appearing in Washington, D.C.’s Constitutional Hall. Her manager at the time was the famous impresario, Sol Hurok.
Local talent was occasionally featured from the start, as in 1933 Josef Cherniovsky performed on 'cello. He would go on to lead the Saginaw Civic Symphony from 1950 - 1959. Trained in Russia, he built the orchestra to a position of prominence during his tenure.
The association was fortunate to have appear some the most famous violinists of the 20th century; Nathan Milstein, Misha Elman, Yehudi Menuhin, Zino Francescatti, Joseph Fuchs, and Jaime Laredo have all given recitals.
Legendary pianists have also appeared, both in solo recitals and as soloists with orchestras. Dame Myra Hess, Artur Rubinstein, Rudolph Serkin, Robert Casadesus, Witold Malcuzynski, Leon Fleisher, Bryon Janis, Van Cliburn, Gary Graffman, Phillippe Entremont, and Andras Schiff have appeared.
Singers with world-wide fame have appeared as well. In the early years a numbers of vocalists who sang with the Metropolitan Opera were engaged.
Vocalists appearing include Nelson Eddy, Lotte Lehman, Marian Anderson, Lauritz Melchoir, Helen Traubel, Leonard Warren, Jennie Tourel, Jussi Bjoerling, Rise Stevens, William Warfield, Lily Pons, Leontyne Price, Robert Merrill.
Speaking of singing, a number of fine choruses have performed: Starting with the Russian male chorus The Don Cossacks; Roger Wagner Chorale, Robert Shaw Chorale, Westminster Choir, Fred Waring Chorus, and Chanticleer.
Children's choruses have been well represented as well. Obernkirchen Children's Choir appeared three times and the Colorado Children's Chorale appeared twice. along with the Columbus Boychoir, American Boychoir, Bulgarian Children's Choir, and Regensburg Cathedral Boys Choir, directed by George Ratzinger, brother of Pope Benedict.
We've also been fortunate to have appear some of the most famous orchestral conductors of the 20th century. Here are a few: George Szell (8 concerts), Eugene Ormandy (7 concerts), Antal Dorati (3), Dmitri Mitropoulos (2), Erich Leinsdorf (2), John Barbirolli, and Fritz Reiner.
Also Lorin Maazel, Charles Munch, Herbert Von Karajan, Eugene Jochum, Jean Martinon, Seizi Ozawa, Arthur Fiedler. Orchestras appearing have included symphonies of Detroit and Philadephia,
New York Philharmonic, National Symphony, and the symphonies of Toronto, Cinncinatti, Denver, Boston, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh and Chicago.
It should be noted that some orchestras (Philadelphia, Boston) were engaged while these groups appeared in festivals in Ann Arbor.
In the photo bellow conductor Dmitri Mitropoulos is visited by association leaders Dr. Bruce Hayden, president, and Mrs. Rockwell Kempton, secretary.
After 1975, the only chamber and symphonic orchestras in our budget came from Europe, many being subsidized by their governments.
Orchestras from Europe: Berlin Philharmonic, Gottenburg Symphony, Prague Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia Hungarica, Czech Philharmonic. Vienna Johann Strauss Orchestra, Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra,
Slovenian Philharmonic, Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Franz Liszt Orchestra of Budapest, Kibbutz Orchestra of Israel, Guildhall String Ensemble, and I Solisti di Venezia. The Swedish National Orchestra of Gothenburg appeared in 1983
conducted by Neeme Jarvi, who 7 years later would move to Michigan to conduct the Detroit Symphony.
The photo to the left of Vladimir Golschmann, Cleveland Orchestra conductor who was here is 1944, taken by Philippe Halsman,
one of the most famous portrait photographers of the 20th century, whose photos were often used on the cover of Life magazine.
The above press photo of the famous Sweedish tenor Jussi Bjoerling included his wife Anna-Lisa and children. Björling was known as the "Swedish Caruso." He died in 1960 at age 49.
Over the years quite a few operas have been produced. First seen in 1949, The Charles Wagner Opera Company returned yearly for four seasons. A few years later, The NBC Opera Company, Godovsky Grand Opera Theatre, Canadian Opera Company presented grand opera, last appearing in 1976. Again touring costs have made presentation of opera prohibitive.
Broadway-style musicals began with The Young Americans presentation of "The Music Man" in 1977, followed by "West Side Story", "The Sound of Music" and "South Pacific" (1979.) More recently, several broadway-style revues have been produced.
One of the most celebrated performances was the recital of Van Cliburn in 1962. In 1958, at age 23, he won the first International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow at the height of the Cold War. This Competition was designed to demonstrate Soviet cultural superiority but the American victory made Cliburn an instant national hero. and propelled Cliburn to international fame.
Arthur Fiedler, long-time conductor of the Boston Pops in 1970 led a tour of the National Symphony, bringing his flare for Pops concerts to a conservative Saginaw audience. Musical tastes were changing and the 1970s brought about the inclusion of a wider range of music than the former classical fare.
Ballet has been well represented in Saginaw, with many leading touring companies such as Ballet Theatre in 1953. Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, American Ballet Theatre, Chicago Opera Ballet, Robert Joffrey Ballet,
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, San Franciso Ballet, Grand Ballet Classique de France, Royal Danish Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Harkness Ballet, National Ballet of Canada, National Ballet of Washington, Norwegian National Ballet, Ballet Repertory Company of New York,
National Ballet of Flanders, Zagreb Grand Ballet, Ballet National Espanol, chamber ballet of USA, Le Ballet Francais De Nancy, Glasnost Ballet. More recent dance presentation have included folk international influences.
Recently we have presented artists with a "local connection." Kathryn Brown, a pianist originally from Bridgeport, Michigan appeared in 1987. In 1989, Saginaw resident Julie Meyer performed a voice recital, accompanied by Sara Hansen. Bay City native Kevin Cole has also appeared twice in recent years.
Nathan Milstein hold the record for the longest period between engagement. His first performance at age 29 was in 1934. He returned to Saginaw in 1960 at the age of 56. He continued performing well into his 80s.
A father and son appeared over the generations. Yehudi Menuhin, the famous violinist appeared in 1941. 48 years later in 1989, his son, Jeremy appeared as piano soloist with the Prague Chamber Orchestra.
As touring costs have increased over the years, ensemble concerts have gong from full symphony orchestras of 80 players to chamber ensembles of 5-10 performers. Our presentations have included some of the finest chamber orchestras, vocal groups, and brass ensembles in this category.
Two very well known vocal ensembles, The King Singers (6 voices), Cantus (9 voices) and Chanticleer (12 voices) have been heard. Among more popular style groups, we have presented The Four Freshmen, The New Swingle Singers,and Rockapella.
Outstanding brass ensembles have appeared as well. The Canadian Brass, Empire Brass, Dallas Brass, Burning River Brass, Eastern Brass Quintet. and Boston Brass have provided traditional brass programming. Groups such as The Dukes of Dixieland and Side Street Strutters Jazz Band have brought more popular fare.
Occasionally acts have appeared too unusual to classify: Marcel Marceau - mime, Fred Garbo - inflatable theater, Festival of India - Ethnic music and dance, Imperial Chinese Acrobats and Magician, Dale Gonyea - music and comedy, and Michel Lauziere - bizarre visual and musical acts.
Today the Saginaw Valley Concert Association continues to provide quality live entertainment appealing to a variety of tastes. Due to the hard work of it's volunteer leadership, and the support of concertgoers, our series as evolved for eighty years. Saginaw's cultural legacy is richer for the effort.
