Niswonger nurtures local talent

In retrospection of this past Sunday’s concert at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center where local singers Jake Wilder and Mary Ann Falk sang the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein with the Toledo Symphony, I began to think of how this facility has affected local talent.  First, let me just say how very proud I was of Jake and Mary Ann!  And from the audience reaction, one could feel the love and admiration for their performance.  The symphony played well, the concert was programmed well, and Rodgers & Hammerstein composed well, but it was truly an afternoon for Jake and Mary Ann.

In thinking back over the years since our opening in 2007, many local performers have been highlighted.  Obviously the crème de la crème has most often been our professional concerts performed by professional musicians; however, we have also been honored to present opportunities to locals that have been quite memorable.

I think back on how we have been able to use some local talent to back up performers like Marie Osmond, The Four Lads, and Franc D’Ambrosio (Phantom of the Opera).  And our talent was just as good as what could have been brought in from outside.  I also think of the number of students who performed with the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus, the Air Force Band of Flight, River City Brass Band, Dallas Brass, Rodney Mack and the Philadelphia Big Brass, Point of Grace … and even Elvis himself!

Then I think of the number of workshops and clinics that local students have benefitted from: Franc D’Ambrosio, Thomas Pandolfi, the American Spiritual Ensemble, Dallas Brass, Alpin Hong, Toledo Ballet Theatre’s Nutcracker, and on and on.  I say on and on because we will continue to look for new ways to nurture local talent — and especially young student talent. As we look at next season, we see more great opportunities for local talent to be involved on stage.  I just have to believe that people feel like a million bucks performing on the Central Insurance Stage in the Niswonger.

When the Van Wert County Foundation began the position of performing arts coordinator, and even before the Niswonger was created, one of my goals in this position was to create special opportunities for young people to perform and learn.  The Foundation has always been a huge supporter of the youth in our area through scholarships and grants for meaningful projects.  We at The Foundation continue to nurture youths in many ways. I am blessed to be able to do it through the arts. The Niswonger Performing Arts Center has just amplified what we do in a very professional way.

Well, I hope you all saw the listing of concerts for the Fountain Park Summer Music Series. We are very excited to get outside and enjoy beautiful weather and good music. Don’t forget to contact our office with the name of your non-profit organization if you are interested in serving food at one of our Van Wert County Foundation-sponsored concerts in Fountain Park.  You have until April 1 to have your name included in the lottery.

Before we head outdoors, though, we have several exciting concerts and shows at the Niswonger.  Don’t miss out on any of these big shows coming up.  Check us out on Facebook and at our website: npacvw.org.  Lots of laughs and good music are in store for the next two months.

FINÉ.