Awaken the Music: 2015-2016 Season for Signature Symphony at TCC

The Signature Symphony at Tulsa Community College 2015-2016 season celebrates American music in virtually all of the Classics and Pops series and the connection to our past and our future. Maestro Andrés Franco’s inaugural season as the Artistic Director and Conductor of the professional orchestra promises to create a memorable experience for audience members and embraces this year’s theme, Awaken the Music.

“This season reflects my deep belief in the power of music: music inspires us, entertains us, and moves us,” said Franco. "We created a season that is exciting, innovative and inclusive, and shows that orchestral music is fun, relevant and makes life MUCH better!"

The 2015-2016 TTCU Pops season begins with Jaimee Paul and Music of James Bond for those who prefer their jazz shaken, not stirred. In anticipation of the release of the new Bond movie, “Spectre,” the evening will feature vocalist Jaimee Paul with a modern approach to the timeless themes of 007. The music of Broadway is featured in three productions this year beginning with the toe-tapping, soul-stirring musical showstoppers from legendary composer Jerry Herman and one of Broadway’s most beloved icons. Jerry Herman: The Broadway Legacy Concert will feature Herman’s songs from shows such as “Hello Dolly,” “La Cage Aux Folles,” and “Jerry’s Girls.” This production offers talented local vocalists the chance to work with Broadway artists in a master class and the opportunity to perform on stage with the Signature Symphony at TCC. A witch, a young prince, and a windy city are part of Blockbuster Broadway featuring the music from “Wicked,” “Pippin,” and “Chicago.” Chris Mann, the star of the national “Phantom of the Opera” tour and NBC’s “The Voice” returns to a Tulsa stage in Mann for All Seasons. While audiences fell in love with his classically trained voice, Mann sings everything from big-band, opera to pop. The Signature Symphony Pops series is rounded out with a Tulsa holiday tradition, Christmas in Tulsa.

The 2015-2016 Signature Symphony Classics series will mark the 175th Anniversary of Tchaikovsky and feature some of his most famous works. The first performance showcases Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” with Ottorino Respighi’s “Pines of Rome,” and American composer Jennifer Higdon’s “blue cathedral.” The celebration continues with Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto no. 1 for the concert featuring The Ioudenitch Family. Stanislav Ioudenitch, a Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medalist and his daughter, violinist Maria Ioudenitch, will perform along with YouTube sensation and wunderkind conductor Eduard Yudenich. The family theme continues with Franco’s wife Victoria Luperi joining him on stage as a guest artist for a romantic adventure from Seville to Paris to Vienna. Luperi is principal clarinet with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. We pay homage to some of America’s brightest composers in Barber, Bernstein and Boyer: The Dream of America. The evening weaves selections from “West Side Story,” “On the Town,” and “Adagio for Strings,” with music written by Peter Boyer in the Grammy-nominated “Ellis Island: The Dream of America.” The performance, featuring TCC theatre students, shares the powerful stories and the photos of people who came through Ellis Island in a multi-media presentation. George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” is the final Classics performance. As one of the defining moments in American musical history, the evening will feature “Summertime” and “It Ain’t Necessarily So.”

"Whether you are new to orchestral music or a connoisseur, you will find something that will inspire you," said Franco. "Music is for everyone and the Signature Symphony at TCC is your orchestra. I would like to invite you to become part of our family and join us for the concerts."

Signature Symphony at TCC is committed to music education outreach program. One of our most exciting programs is Open Rehearsals, a chance for Tulsa-area families to experience an orchestra rehearsal and see professional musicians in action. Open Rehearsals are free and take place on the Thursday before every Classics series concert. The event allows families an interactive evening with Signature Symphony Artistic Director and Conductor Andrés Franco and our guest artists from 6:30 to 7 p.m., followed by the chance to observe the first hour of an actual rehearsal on stage from 7 to 8 p.m. Open Rehearsals will take place on Oct. 1, Nov. 12, Jan. 21, Feb. 25, and April 14.

Signature Symphony, in collaboration with Tulsa Public Schools and TCC, makes music instruction possible for elementary students where music classes are not part of the school day through the Higher Scale Music Outreach Program. Signature Symphony musicians teach viola, violin and cello classes twice a week to third, fourth and fifth grade students in 12 Tulsa Public Schools. Plus, the Signature Quartet performs and offers coaching sessions for students of all ages through the school year in Tulsa and neighboring school districts.

The Signature Symphony at TCC is made possible in part by a grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Tickets are available for the Classics and Pops series. Individual ticket prices start at $25 for a performance. Season ticket prices start at $84. Student tickets are available at discounted prices. For information on the 2015-2016 season including performance dates and times, go to www.signaturesymphony.org or call (918) 595-7777.