New maestro for Lima “Pops” Orchestra

For the past decade, Van Wert has celebrated the Fourth of July weekend with the Lima Symphony “Pops” Orchestra under the flamboyant baton of Maestro Crafton Beck.  This Friday, Van Wert once again kicks off its Holiday at Home Fourth of July celebration with the Lima Pops, but with a different conductor.

Maestro Beck recently underwent shoulder surgery, which has knocked him out of the summer Pop concerts this season. A healthy shoulder is as important to a professional conductor as it is to a quarterback of a football team.

Step in Maestro Brian Eads.  Eads has been selected to lead the Lima Pops Orchestra this summer in place of Crafton Beck.  I would like to introduce him to you before he steps on the podium this Friday evening in Fountain Park.

Brian began his music studies the same as many have, with piano lessons at the age of eight in Grenada, Miss.  His aptitude, work and musical accomplishments led him to various church accompanist positions.  After graduating valedictorian from Grenada High School in 1997 (Yes- he is young!), he attended Delta State University and began studies in orchestral conducting as well as continuing his piano studies.  Quite interestingly, some of the biggest names in conducting have been pianists.  A few who come to mind are Leonard Bernstein, George Szell, and Daniel Barenboim.

In the summer of 2001, Brian attended the Aspen School of Music, where he studied piano with Herbert Stessin of The Juilliard School.  He then received his Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Florida State University.  He has conducted the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and has studied conducting with Alex Jimenez, Phillip Spurgeon and Crafton Beck.  He has even studied choral conducting with Andre Thomas.  He currently lives in Tupelo, MS and proudly serves as the Minister of Worship at West Jackson Street Baptist Church.

I have talked with Maestro Eads and he is looking forward to sharing the Lima Pops Orchestra with everyone in Fountain Park this Friday night.  He told me he really enjoys conducting pop music and interacting with audiences.  The program includes some new and exciting pieces he is sure the audience will enjoy.  Some of the program includes movie themes from “The Summer of ‘42”, “Forrest Gump”, “Apollo 13”, and “Rocky.”  Other show selections are from “Showboat”, “Michael Jackson Spectacular”, and a “Beach Boys Medley.”  American marches and Patriotic selections of course, highlight the show throughout.

It will be a true celebration of America this Friday night as we kick off a Fourth of July celebration that will include all the favorite Holiday at Home activities, including the big parade on Monday, right down Main Street beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Come to Fountain Park this Friday at 7 p.m. and help celebrate our birthday as a nation with the Lima Symphony “Pops” Orchestra, this time with guest conductor Brian Eads.  The music’s all free, compliments of The Van Wert County Foundation.  And don’t forget to get some delicious food served up by the Van Wert Council on Aging. You are also serving a great cause!

FINÉ.