Want to learn about music?

Have you ever watched a movie and blocked out the music?  I recently heard a speaker talking about how much music affects moods in movies and television shows.  It’s something we rarely think about, but, boy, would we miss it if it wasn’t there. Can you imagine a spooky scene without music in the background? Or a chase scene without exciting music playing in the background?

The person who composed the music to such movies as Remember the Titans, Star Trek: Nemesis, Armageddon, The Incredibles, Get Smart, or Tom and Jerry is none other than Gordon Goodwin, and it is Goodwin’s Big Phat Band that will be playing in concert this Saturday night at the Niswonger in Van Wert.

As an added attraction, we have arranged for Gordon to present a clinic on film scoring for animated films. He actually won three Oscars for the film score to The Incredibles.  If you have ever wondered how music scores are fitted to movies you should consider joining us for this clinic in the Lecture Hall this Saturday at 3:30 p.m.  I think you would find it very interesting.  The clinic is just $10 and includes a Pizza Hut supper with other interested attendees.  I’m sure there will be much to talk about following the clinic.  We thank Pizza Hut of Van Wert for assisting in this informative and entertaining clinic.

Then at 7:30 p.m., the main attraction takes place in the Saltzgaber Music Hall, where the Big Phat Band will be in concert. This big band, much like the old Maynard Ferguson or Doc Severinsen bands some of you may remember, is like an all-star team of players.  It features amazing trumpet player Wayne Bergeron, saxophonist Eric Marienthal, and trombonist Eric Martin, among others. Many of the Big Phat players are from California, where they have performed music for television shows like “The Family Guy,” “King of the Hill,” “Dancing with the Stars,” and “American Idol.”  I think you get the picture — these guys are the best of the best.  You’ve heard them, you just didn’t know it!

Come Saturday to the 3:30 p.m. clinic, stay for pizza, and then take in the concert and make a day of it.  Whatever you do, don’t miss the 7:30 p.m. concert. Tickets are available now and at the door and begin at just $18 — an incredible value for this collection of talented musicians.

We are wrapping up our season at the Niswonger, as we have just two more concerts after Saturday’s Big Phat concert. On Sunday afternoon, May 5, concert pianist Thomas Pandolfi will tickle the ivories with Chopin and Gershwin. It’s a chance for us to show off our Baldwin SD10 Concert Grand Piano in a Community Concert event.

Then we conclude the season on Saturday, May 11, with a huge Rock Symphonic Spectacular featuring the music of Queen.  This concert production has been done with the Atlanta, Dayton and Richmond, Virginia symphonies, among others.  We are pleased to present it now at the Niswonger with the Lima Symphony Orchestra.  Created and released in the West End of London, this production brings some of the best classic rock music ever written to the stage.

It won’t be long until we release next season at the Niswonger. It has been five months in the making and all I can tell you is that it will be the biggest season, with some of the biggest stars of music, TV, and Broadway, that we have ever had!

And don’t forget about an exciting Fountain Park line-up this summer.  I’ll tell you more about those wonderful concerts in the very near future. Van Wert, Ohio: the music and entertainment capital of the Midwest!

FINÉ.