Vivaldi’s Piccolo Concerto highlights this season’s offering of timeless classics selected by JoAnn Falletta to celebrate the season.

Program

JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Karen Saxon, mezzo-soprano
Natalie Debikey Scanio, piccolo
Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus
Adam Luebke, BPC music director

RANDOL BASS  Fanfare: Joy to the World
TCHAIKOVSKY  Valse Finale et Apotheosis from The Nutcracker, Op. 71
ADAM/arr. Luck  O Holy Night
VIVALDI  Concerto in C major for Piccolo and Orchestra, RV 443
I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro
DARIN KELLY  Of Nights and Lights
BIZET/ad. Hoffmann  Farandole from L’Arlésienne Suite No. 2

–INTERMISSION–

HERMAN/arr. Wendel  We Need a Little Christmas
RESPIGHI  The Adoration of the Magi from Trittico Botticelliano
MACGIMSEY  Sweet Little Jesus Boy
MENDELSSOHN  There Shall a Star from Christus, Op. 97
HANDEL  Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah
ANDERSON  A Christmas Festival
Joy to the World
Deck the Halls
Good King Wenceslas
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Silent Night
Jingle Bells
Adeste Fidelis (O Come, All Ye Faithful)

About Karen Saxon

Karen Saxon was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. A company member and Musical Director of the Ujima Theater Company, she is a graduate of Buffalo State College (B.A. in Vocal Performance, 2003) and the University of Scranton (Master of Science in Educational Administration, 2008). A music educator in the Buffalo Public Schools for 24 years, Karen is a vocal music instructor at City Honors at Fosdick-Masten Park School. An accomplished pianist, professional vocalist, and expert choral conductor, she serves on the Board of Directors for Starring Buffalo.

A dedicated community servant, Karen is the Minister of Music at the First Shiloh Baptist Church, founding Chair of the Buffalo Eastside Satellite Rotary Club, Music Coordinator for the Baptist Minister’s Conference of Buffalo and Vicinity, Director of Music for the Empire Baptist Missionary Convention, and Chair of the Buffalo Branch NAACP ACT-SO Committee. She also directs the Buffalo United Community Choir, alongside co-directors Ella Robinson and George Brown.

Karen is happily married to Darrell M. Saxon, President/CEO of the Thomas T. Edwards Funeral Home, Inc. The Saxons have three amazing children: Nathalie (Terrence), Christnell, and Karrengton Williams.

About Natalie Debikey Scanio

Natalie Debikey Scanio has held the position of Piccolo with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra since 2003. A native of Indianapolis, Natalie graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of music degree from the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. She went on to obtain a master of music degree from New England Conservatory and a performer diploma from Indiana University School of Music. Her primary teachers include Bradley Garner, Jack Wellbaum, Paula Robison, and Thomas Robertello.

Natalie has performed with many orchestras across the country, including as guest piccolo player for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and substitute in the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. She has performed in many prestigious music festivals including the Aspen Music Festival, National Orchestral Institute, and National Repertory Orchestra. She was the winner of the COFA Young Artist Competition, New England Conservatory Concerto Competition, and several National Flute Association competitions.

As an active recitalist and chamber musician, she has performed solo recitals across the United States and in Europe. Natalie has appeared as a soloist with orchestras in Indianapolis, Boston, and Buffalo, and has been a featured flute soloist at the National Flute Convention. She is a sought-after clinician and teacher, and her students have gone on to attend major music conservatories and win positions in orchestras throughout the country.

Natalie resides in Getzville with her husband, Marcus, and three children.

About the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus

The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus is a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the Western New York region through the performance of high-quality, diverse musical programs and developing singers in the choral arts through both original programming and artistic partnerships. The BPC is the winner of the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance for their recording of Richard Danielpour’s The Passion of Yeshua with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and conductor JoAnn Falletta. With a roster of over 140 singers, the BPC is frequently heard as the principal guest chorus of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus was founded by Jessamine E. Long as the Buffalo Schola Cantorum in 1937. Since that time, the artistic leadership has included such noteworthy musicians as Cameron Baird and the 22-year leadership of Thomas Swan. In 1992, the Chorus was renamed to more accurately reflect its mission to the community. Now the BPC makes guest appearances throughout the region and produces self-sponsored concerts, including annual performances of Handel’s Messiah.

Recent collaborators include the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo-Niagara Concert Band, Buffalo Chamber Players, Buffalo United Community Choir, SUNY Fredonia School of Music, and many more. Recent performance venues include Kleinhans Music Hall, Chautauqua Institution, ArtPark, Temple Beth Zion, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Our Lady of Victory Basilica and Shrine, and Asbury Hall, a downtown Buffalo multi-arts venue in a repurposed 1870s Gothic Revival church, where the BPC is also a proud member of the Asbury Arts Collaborative. The BPC can be seen each year at events throughout the community, including Daemen University Commencement ceremonies, BPO Classics and Pops series performances, community sings, caroling events, and much more!