Holiday Madness
Conductor Kris Chapman chose some of the most popular pieces from the orchestral repertoire for the 2011 holiday concert, including Leroy Andersen's great setting of carols, A Christmas Festival, and selections from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker ballet which showcased several several sections of the orchestra. Joining the Pops on stage were guest vocalist Todd Miller and, for the Saturday matinee performance, special guests The Villager Choir. Miller's performances of Gesu Bambino and Thankful were particularly moving. The audience enjoyed a special treat with Bob Schorr's narration of The Night Before Christmas in a special musical setting by Randol Alan Bass. Schorr also presided over the traditional auction of the rights to conduct the Pops in Anderson's Sleigh Ride. Three generous patrons generous patrons rose to the occasion and "cracked the whip" to lead the Pops through this holiday classic.
Houston-based tenor and conductor Todd Miller has a broad range of performance experience in opera, musical theater, symphonies, and choral societies, including performances with the Houston Symphony, Houston Choral Society, San Antonio Symphony and Opera, Opera in the Heights, Da Camera Society, the Houston Chamber Choir, Houston Choral Artists, the American Radio Chamber Orchestra, the Woodlands Symphony, and Des Moines Metro Opera. He made his Carnegie Hall debut with Distinguished Concerts International in Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore. A strong proponent of American music, Miller has collaborated with several living composers, including Carlisle Floyd, Richard Faith, Robert Nelson, Henry Mollicone, and Daniel Sigmon. Todd Miller holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in voice performance and conducting from the University of Houston, where he studied with Katherine Ciesinski, Elena Nikolaidi, Carlisle Floyd, and Charles Hausmann. He also holds vocal performance degrees from the University of Louisville and the University of Arizona. Dr. Miller is Professor of Music and Chair of Visual and Performing Arts at Lone Star College-Kingwood, where he conducts the Chamber Singers and the Summer Opera Workshop. He is also Artistic Director and Conductor of the Kingwood Chorale and Chamber Orchestra and has recently released a solo crossover album with pianist/producer/arranger Paul English. Please visit toddmillermusic.net for more information.
The Pops is very pleased to welcome The Villager Choir on stage for the matinee performance. Composed entirely of clients of Village Learning and Achievement Center (VLAC), the Choir performed in its first concert in December 2009. Since that time, co-directors Lori Barbee and Sheila Childers have developed a more comprehensive music program to share with the Villagers the joy and enrichment found in making music. The Villager Choir has expanded its scope, performing for local community outreach programs as well as the annual VLAC Charity Gala. VLAC was founded in September, 2000 to create the support and services needed to affect positive changes in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, and the local community, so that these individuals can reach their maximum potential and level of independence. The Center offers an MHMRA-approved day habilitation program as well as other programs in Respite Care, Transition Services, Transportation, Social Service Referrals, After-School Care, Supported Employment, Advocacy, In-Home Training, Recreational, and Social Activities. Project Connect-VLAC, a partnership with Humble ISD helps school students transition to life after graduation. Visit them at villagelac.org,
There are a limited number of table seats at the next Kingwood Pops
concert available for $25 by calling the POPS line at 281-319-POPS
(281-319-7677). Preferred row tickets will be available for $10
about 3-4
weeks prior to each concert at Market Cleaners locations in Kingwood
(5734 W. Lake Houston Parkway),
Atascocita
(17211 W. Lake Houston Parkway #218),
and Walden
(18455 W. Lake Houston Parkway #220).
As always, a limited number of free general admission seats with restricted views of the stage are available every concert. These tickets are availble on a first-come-first-served basis at the performance, but be warned: they fill up fast!