2011-2012 Community Concert listed

Van Wert independent/NPAC information

The Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio is excited to announce one of its three available series for the coming season.

The Community Concert Series for 2011-2012 will feature five fabulous shows designed to provide a variety of entertainment to all patrons. From the highlights of brass to the smooth vocals of the famous Rat Pack to the legendary sounds of master music craftsmen and sidesplitting laughter, this series is sure to please.

Leading off is the Gaudete Brass Quintet on Tuesday, October 11, with a special appearance by Polaris Brass from Ohio Northern University. Gaudete Brass is devoted to presenting serious brass chamber music at the highest level of excellence and to encouraging worldwide appreciation of the art of brass chamber music through live performances, recordings, education, and the creation of new works.

The quintet is committed to expanding the brass quintet repertoire by commissioning new works from modern composers in addition to historically informed performances of Renaissance music, as well as performing classic brass quintet works. The group has been featured on concert series, radio broadcasts and at universities throughout the country.

Next is one of the world’s most sophisticated and lasting pop vocal groups on Friday, November 4. Continually selling out performing art centers and college campus venues around the world, is Rockapella, which is coming to the Niswonger for the very first time!

Using just five voices, the group creates an astonishing full-band sound, making every bit as much sound as the whole “Glee” chorus.  Audiences still remember Rockapella’s PBS kid-TV smash hit “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” and its Folger’s Coffee commercial. The group’s appeal is popular with older audiences and still “hot” with the younger crowds.

In the spring, the series continues Saturday, March 24, with Capital Steps. Putting the “mock” in democracy, this Washington-based troupe of congressional staffers turned songwriters will have the audience laughing from start to finish with its political and musical satire. No one does it better!

The group’s shows are always evolving, fresh and crispy and right from the headlines. With the upcoming elections, it will be a welcome respite from the seriousness of the times.

Returning for a command performance on Saturday, April 28, is Livingston Taylor and the Fort Wayne Voices of Unity Choir. The NPAC has specially paired these two dynamos for a once-in-a-lifetime concert only at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

Livingston Taylor returns by popular demand. Having performed for over 30 years with such artists as Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffett, Fleetwood Mac and Jethro Tull, he may be best known as the brother of legendary singer James Taylor.

The Voices of Unity Choir from Fort Wayne, Ind., drew considerable attention last summer as Gold Medal winners in the Choir Olympics held in China. The group has also sung “The National Anthem” for an Indianapolis Colts game and performed with famed vocalist Roberta Flack.

Director Marshall White will direct this group of young singers as they open for Livingston and then collaborate with him on some of his great Gospel songs that are sure to bring the house down.

The Community Concert season ends with Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack on Saturday, May 12. They were style with substance, swing with swagger, and a non-stop party that everyone wanted access to. Now audiences can experience this critically acclaimed, hugely entertaining theatrical production that includes recorded voiceovers made exclusively for this show by Sandy Hackett’s father, the late legendary comedian Buddy Hackett.

Frank, Sammy, Joey and Dean will come to life again with accompaniment by the Toledo Jazz Orchestra in this tremendously entertaining and musically exciting show to close out the 2011-12 Community Concert Series at the NPAC.

All five shows can be purchased as one package for the low price of $60, and tickets will be available for sale to the general public on May 23. Individual tickets for each of these shows will be on sale approximately 90 days prior to concert date. There are also opportunities available right now for those wanting to support the series by becoming patrons, sponsors or directors.

For more information, visit the NPAC website at www.npacvw.org, call the box office Monday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m., at 419.238.NPAC (6722) or stop by the box office in person at 10700 State Route 118 in Van Wert during box office hours. The NPAC can also be found on Facebook.