As I have been working on the new season for the Niswonger, I have been engulfed by music of all kinds.\u00a0 In addition to listening to everything from Broadway to Country to Adult Contemporary and Rock, I have also been doing a bit of music of my own.\u00a0 This Saturday, the Lima Symphony Orchestra is performing Beethoven\u2019s Ninth Symphony.\u00a0 You know it- it\u2019s the one with \u201cOde to Joy\u201d in it.\u00a0 I have been listening to recordings of it and now am in the midst of rehearsing it all week long.\u00a0 If you want to talk about passion and inspiration, this Beethoven symphony has it all.<\/p>\n
I know that many of you are quite familiar with the entire symphony, but most are just familiar with the \u201cOde to Joy\u201d section which doesn\u2019t even arrive until the fourth movement; and actually not until halfway through that!\u00a0 Anyway, as I was listening to my recording, it really hit me as to the amount of passion that Beethoven wrote into his music.\u00a0 It is common knowledge that Beethoven had lost most of his hearing by the time he had written his Ninth Symphony. This may have actually aided the passion and inspiration he was able to compose into his music.\u00a0 I imagine he heard more music inside his head than he ever did with his ears.<\/p>\n
We were fortunate two years ago to present the Fort Wayne Philharmonic with the chorus, including some of our local singers, along with soloists.\u00a0 What an amazing experience it was to hear Beethoven\u2019s Ninth Symphony<\/i> in the Niswonger PAC!<\/p>\n
If you are looking for an inspirational experience this Saturday night, I invite you to the Lima Civic Center to enjoy the Lima Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in Beethoven\u2019s magnificent Ninth Symphony.\u00a0 The King\u2019s Coronation by Handel is also programmed for Saturday night.\u00a0 Of course, you all know the inspiration behind much of Handel\u2019s music, which gives me the opportunity to announce that Handel\u2019s Messiah will be performed this Christmas on December 14.\u00a0 Mark your calendars.<\/p>\n
The point of this entire column is not just to talk about Beethoven, although he is one of the most fiery and passionate composers of all time.\u00a0 While driving to Lima this week, I was listening to some Country songs of singers we are looking at for next season at the Niswonger.\u00a0 I was inspired by the lyrics of a particular song.\u00a0 A good Country song can emit emotions when you add meaningful lyrics; something many of them do quite well.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the Van Wert High School theatre department is performing the musical, Foot Loose<\/i> this weekend.\u00a0 Performances are at 7 p.m. this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.\u00a0 The music of this show helps tell a story that I think you will enjoy.\u00a0\u00a0 The sets and staging are absolutely first-rate!\u00a0 Come and see these talented and hard-working kids.<\/p>\n
Since we are talking about inspiration, the Voices of Unity Youth Choir from Fort Wayne, Ind., will perform at the Niswonger on Saturday, April 26.\u00a0 These youth from the Fort Wayne area are the epitome of inspiration.\u00a0 Their vehicle of inspiration is music.\u00a0 Many of these youth are inner-city youth and have found a refuge from life\u2019s problems through the ministry Marshall White offers through his Unity program.\u00a0 You must come and see how so many of these young boys and girls have made something good of their lives since becoming involved in this program.\u00a0 It is truly amazing!\u00a0\u00a0 Check the box office for the few remaining seats for this show on April 26.<\/p>\n
This is also a good time to give a shout out to James DeFore, a young man from Van Wert who is in both Footloose<\/i> and Voices of Unity.\u00a0 Way to go, James!<\/p>\n
Enjoy music of all kinds and be inspired!<\/p>\n
FIN\u00c9.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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