AROUND THE CAMPFIRE, The Ohio Valley Symphony

September 16, 2023
at 7:30 p.m.
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The Ariel heats up Around the Campfire with the American Pops Orchestra founder and conductor Luke Frazier.  On September 16 Luke is joined by vocalist Hilary Morrow, pianist Jacqueline Schwab and guitarist Garrett Gleason and providing The Ohio Valley Symphony with several world premiere selections as well as music of Copland, Mussorgsky and MacDowell.

Luke Frazier, conductor
Luke Frazier believes that the future of orchestral music is breaking down barriers between orchestras and audiences. The most important priority for a modern conductor is not only musical excellence, but also creating diverse and engaging programming that brings communities together through the joy of music. Conductors are a bridge between audiences and orchestras and the responsibility that comes with that is something Luke takes to heart every day.

Luke started The American Pops Orchestra in 2015 to present a broad array of popular and classical music in innovative ways to bring new audiences into the orchestral world. Most recently APO has been featured in more than twelve national broadcasts on PBS with programs ranging from American Roots to a complete re-imagining of the musical WICKED. Artists like Midori, Patti Labelle, Joshua Bell, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Josh Groban and so many more have joined the orchestra sharing orchestral music with audiences across the country, completely free of charge.

Creating opportunities for the next generation of music makers and music lovers is always a priority for Luke. Each year Luke spends at least three weeks hosting free elementary school tours as well as finding outstanding college vocalists through APO’s NextGen Vocal Competition. In addition to these special programs, Luke also maintains a busy schedule as a clinician, speaker and panelist for educational organizations across the country.

In addition to Luke’s work with APO and PBS, Luke is the Principal Pops Conductor for The National Philharmonic and maintains a busy schedule as a guest conductor and pianist. This season includes guest appearances in venues from Lincoln Center to The Smithsonian, Feinstein’s/54 Below to The Kravis Center and many more across the country conducting classical and popular music alike.

Luke is fortunate to call many of the world’s most incredible artists both friends and collaborators. Renée Fleming, Chita Rivera, Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis, Michael Feinstein, Leslie Jordan, Sandi Patty, Kristin Chenoweth, Jamie Barton, Paulo Szot, Vanessa Williams, Laura Osnes, Jacqueline Schwab, Arturo Sandoval, Rita Moreno and so many more have joined Luke onstage and on film for original programs of all varieties.

To learn more about Luke check out:www.LukeFrazierMusic.com or
@lukefraziermusic

Hilary Morrow, vocalist
Hilary Morrow is a New York City based AEA actor, singer and comedian engaged in musical, theatrical and comedic endeavors of all sorts, ranging from children’s theatre to Shakespeare, puppetry to improv. As a vocalist, she specializes in Broadway showtunes and jazz. She sings regularly with The American Pops Orchestra and The National Philharmonic and has also sung with The West Virginia Symphony and Fairfax Symphony Orchestra. She has sung at Lincoln Center, The Arsht Center, The Kennedy Center, The Kravis Center, Birdland Jazz Club and many more. Hilary is a master improviser and is thrilled to have worked with The Second City at The Kennedy Center. She appears regularly in orchestral programming on PBS including Wicked in Concert, An Evening with Lerner and Loewe and more. She is a proud member of the Actor’s Equity Association.

Jacqueline Schwab, piano
Jacqueline Schwab is delighted to collaborate with The American Pops Orchestra, a new experience in her evolving performance career. Jacqueline spins musical stories in her signature style, connecting listeners to the different cultural strands that have formed our American music. Her evocative arrangements draw on classical and traditional community music sounds, both old and new, from her Pittsburgh, “melting pot” childhood and many years on Boston’s folk scene. Her emotive, bare-bones playing infuses the soundtracks of Ken Burns’ Grammy-winning Civil War, Baseball, Lewis and Clark, Mark Twain, and The War, among others, as well as the PBS documentary The Irish in America.

She has performed at the White House for President Clinton, and, with Scottish singer Jean Redpath, on public radio’s A Prairie Home Companion and on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman. Jacqueline has performed solo concerts of vintage American music in almost every State of the Union and enjoys sharing her intimate music with audiences, often adding introductory stories about the music’s history or vignettes from her life. Her current programs include: I Lift My Lamp—Vintage Songs and Dances of Immigrant America, Building Bridges—Vintage Music of Latin America, Mark Twain’s America, Down Came an Angel—Vintage American Holiday Music, and Remembrance and Hope.

She has long played for many styles of dancing, with the Bare Necessities quartet and others, and she has also enjoyed concert collaborations. She has released four solo recordings (with a new one coming in 2022). Jacqueline graduated from the New England Conservatory in Boston, majoring in piano improvisation. She has recently moved back to the Boston, MA area, after many years of living on Cape Cod.

In Ken Burns’ words: “Jacqueline Schwab brings more feeling and intensity to music than anyone I know. Her playing is insistent, physical, heartfelt and … unusually moving.”

Garrett Gleason, guitar
Garrett Gleason is an American guitarist, composer, bandleader, and educator. Having graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Jazz Studies, Gleason has toured extensively throughout Europe with the Boston Show Band and throughout North America with the American Pops Orchestra and as the multi-stringed instrumentalist for the North American tour of The SpongeBob Musical. As a bandleader and composer, Gleason has released 14 studio albums through American labels TAR, Akar Music, and self-owned Head Cannon Records. Gleason’s music explores texture, harmony, and energy through embracing modern technology, improvisation, and collaboration. Gleason currently runs the music program at the White Mountain School in Bethlehem, New Hampshire.

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