Time to start booking new talent at NPAC

It is time to start thinking and acting on booking artists for a whole new season of 2015-16.  As I do this, I start getting bombarded with emails, messages, and suggestions of all kinds.  While recently looking at a message and doing some research on You Tube, I came across a performance of “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables by Alfie Boe and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I remember watching this performance when it originally aired on TV. It was mesmerizing! I then wondered how it compared with J. Mark McVey, whom we just had in concert at the Niswonger.  I came across a performance he did at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.  Both were different from each other, but very inspiring.  I also found Mark singing in Crystal Cathedral in California and it was very inspiring.

Inspiration is one of the attributes I value the most in music.  Music can inspire when words often fail.  I believe this is why God gave humankind the gift of music.

This Friday, we have another concert that I guarantee will inspire on many fronts, but also offers education and entertainment.  The famous Dallas Brass will be giving a concert at 7:30 p.m., will be educating high school musicians in a master class during the day and then rehearse with them later in the afternoon in preparation for the evening concert.  High school band students from Lincolnview, Parkway and Van Wert will be participating and featured on the concert. I can guarantee inspiration and I hope there will be some good education to go with the day. If you are able to come to the evening concert, I can also guarantee you will be entertained.

We then return to the concert stage on Saturday, November 15, with Country Superstar Josh Turner.  For those who love country music, this is a season highlight.  The concert has been sold out for months and a full house is expected. Entertainment will abound, as I understand it is a huge production with creative staging, video and props.

Following the Josh Turner concert, we enter into our Christmas season of concerts and they are always inspiring and entertaining. First on the docket is the cherished Nutcracker ballet with the Ballet Theatre of Toledo. Once again, we have offered the opportunity to our young people in the area to be a part of this production. Behind all the make-up and costumes, you may recognize a few young dancers from our area, as well as hearing our very own Van Wert Area Boychoir as part of the performance. Once again, musical memories for these young people!  Come early to the Nutcracker performances (2 and 7:30 p.m.) on December 6 and you can also enjoy beautiful Christmas music sung in the Grand Lobby by the boychoir.

Want more inspiration? Messiah rehearsals begin this Sunday from 3-5 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Van Wert.  If you enjoy singing and want to make your Christmas extra special by joining in voice with other singers, instrumentalists and soloists, consider joining us in the chorus.  We have music and a seat in the chorus waiting for you.  The Messiah performance will be Sunday, December 14 at 7 p.m. at First U.M.  This is a Van Wert County Foundation sponsored event biennially and always highly anticipated by many.

I look forward to seeing you Friday night for this special evening with the Dallas Brass, local band students and many, many surprises!  Truly an evening of inspiration, education and entertainment.

FINÉ.