I just looked back at when the first communication was for our gala concert planning.\u00a0I began discussions with the booking agency for Bernadette Peters on February 4, 2016.\u00a0Then, on February 22, 2016, I made my first contact with The Boston Pops Orchestra. By the time they take the stage this Saturday it will have been nearly 14 months since we began negotiations.<\/p>\n
After making the contacts and negotiations, I needed to sell the idea to three major sponsors: Scott and Nikki Niswonger, Bill Purmort of Central Insurance, and The Van Wert County Foundation.\u00a0 After securing their support, I needed to convince my board we could pull this off.\u00a0Once I got the green light, we went to work.\u00a0My marketing staff was able to bring on extra support from The Kenn-Feld Group, for which we are grateful.\u00a0I should also mention that I needed to clear the date with Miss Bloomfield, as she had the hall signed out, preparing for their upcoming VWHS musical The Little Mermaid<\/em>.\u00a0She graciously cleared the date for us and we were off and running.<\/p>\n A Gala Committee was established of board members and my staff. We started putting ideas together of what we wanted this 10-year celebration to look like.\u00a0We knew we had a concert that would put \u201cwow\u201d into the mouths of many people throughout the country; now we wanted to make the entire evening into an event.<\/p>\n What will happen this Saturday are the results of 14 months of preparation.\u00a0The night begins at Willow Bend Country Club with a delicious dinner by Chef Ron and his crew.\u00a0Robb Richards and his staff have been wonderful to work with in planning this dinner occasion. I told Robb I wanted it to be the best dinner he has served and it sounds like he is delivering!\u00a0We have 200 guests who will be arriving at 5 p.m.\u00a0Soon afterward, we are hopeful Bernadette Peters will be able to make a quick appearance before heading to sound check at the Niswonger.\u00a0Maestro Keith Lockhart of The Boston Pops will also be making remarks at the dinner.<\/p>\n A special proclamation from Ohio Governor John Kasich and several notable speakers will share comments on the impact the Niswonger PAC has had over its 10 years of existence.\u00a0We will then dine to the beautiful music of harpist Jan Bishop of Findlay.<\/p>\n Our Visual Arts Committee of the Niswonger, headed by Linda Mechling and crew, have been working on decorations for our lobbies for about four months.\u00a0They will have the place looking spectacular as you enter the Niswonger \u2026 and even before entering.\u00a0Doors to the lobby open at 6:30 p.m.\u00a0Photos will be taken in the upper lobby, so plan on who you want in your photo and head upstairs at your leisure for a memorable photo of the occasion.\u00a0The concession stand will be open and there will be plenty to take in and many interesting friends and guests to visit with.<\/p>\n The doors to the music hall open at 7:30 p.m.\u00a0We will welcome you to the hall with a new look on stage as it is set for that evening\u2019s concert.\u00a0At 7:55 p.m., I will welcome you and invite Mr. Scott Niswonger to the stage to introduce Maestro Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops Orchestra for an 8:05 p.m. downbeat.\u00a0As a side note, since 1930, The Boston Pops Orchestra has had just three full-time conductors: Arthur Fiedler, John Williams, and, since 1995, Keith Lockhart.<\/p>\n The Boston Pops is widely recognized as \u201cAmerica\u2019s Orchestra\u201d.\u00a0Their recordings and performances on TV and throughout the world of light Classical and popular music have endeared them to audiences by the millions.<\/p>\n The orchestra is on tour through the Midwest and members say they are honored to be part of our Ten Year Gala at the Niswonger.\u00a0We are certainly honored to have them as part of our gala!\u00a0Their tour is featuring the music of the great American composer George Gershwin.\u00a0Appearing on the first half with the orchestra will be pianist Michael Chertock performing \u201cRhapsody in Blue\u201d, the original Paul Whiteman arrangement.<\/p>\n Bernadette Peters will then join The Pops for a second half of popular Broadway music that only she and The Boston Pops can so effectively perform.<\/p>\n I am told to look for a few surprises in the second half of the concert.\u00a0We will close with a befitting finale to Ten Years of Wow at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio.<\/p>\n But wait!\u00a0 We are not yet finished.\u00a0An Afterglow event at Wassenberg Art Center will follow the concert.\u00a0This event is sold separately from the concert and, for just $20, I hope many of you can join us for a time of unwinding, hors\u2019 d\u2019oeuvres, drinks, magic, and music with the Paul Keller Jazz Trio from Detroit, Michigan, and many more surprises!<\/p>\n That\u2019s it.\u00a0By 1 a.m. Sunday, we will close the doors of the Wassenberg and prepare for a new decade of entertainment at the Niswonger.<\/p>\n