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Rock Hits & Power Ballads

Prepare for a high-voltage evening as the BPO delivers an exhilarating lineup of rock anthems and power ballads under the baton of Stuart Chafetz. This concert brings together the heart-pounding hits of rock legends such as The Cars, Aerosmith, and Foreigner with the soul-stirring ballads of Adele, Gloria Estefan, Bonnie Raitt, and Whitney Houston. Featuring dynamic performances by Dee Donasco and Micah Wilshire, and the driving rhythms of drummer Brian Kushmaul, this is a celebration of rock’s most iconic moments and the unforgettable ballads that continue to move us. Whether you’re a classic rock devotee or a ballad aficionado, this night promises an unforgettable journey through the songs that defined a genre.

Join us after the concert for our next Musician’s Nightcap as BPO double bassist Jonathan Borden hosts informal discussions with fellow orchestra musicians and patrons. This special event on the lower level of Kleinhans is free and open to all ticketholders on Saturday evening. Complimentary refreshments will be provided.

Program

Stuart Chafetz, conductor
Dee Donasco, vocals
Micah Wilshire, vocals, guitar
Brian Kushmaul, drums
Buffalo United Community Choir

VARIOUS ARTISTS Rosanna
Africa
Conga
Black Water
Landslide
More Than Words
Peg
Footloose
Every Breath You Take
I Want To Know What Love Is

INTERMISSION

September
Drive
Rolling In The Deep
You’re The Biggest Part Of Me
Dancing In The Street
I Can’t Make You Love Me
Saving All My Love
Dream On

Orchestral arrangements by Sam Shoup, Daryl McKenzie, and Ted Firth.

Praised as an artist who embraces vocal versatility, Philippine-born soprano Dee Donasco has attracted attention with a voice that crosses a variety of musical genres. Equally at home with opera, oratorio or recital repertoire, jazz and pop, musical theater, and accomplished in classical works ranging from Baroque to modern contemporary, she brings rewarding vocal and dramatic range to her work.

The current performance season takes Dee back to Nashville Opera to sing the role of Frasquita in Bizet’s Carmen, in addition to the debut of “Rock Hits and Power Ballads” with the BPO. She also makes performance debuts with the Winston-Salem Symphony and the Baltimore Symphony for a series of holiday concerts. This past July, she was invited to sing at the Lucas Oil Stadium for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, and made her singing debut with the Indianapolis Symphony with over 60,000 in attendance. Past performances include appearances as a featured guest artist with the symphony orchestras of Edmonton, Seattle, Nashville, Detroit, Dallas, North Carolina and Jacksonville.

Dee earned her master’s degree in music and her Performance Diploma at Southern Methodist University with a full artistic scholarship. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in chemistry from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She served as Adjunct Professor of Voice and Lyric Theatre at the University of Dallas for four years prior to moving to Tennessee. Her most cherished and greatest achievement to date is being the mother of two beautiful human beings.

Micah Wilshire is a celebrated singer, songwriter, and producer known for his dynamic vocal performances and influential contributions to the music industry. His powerful voice and harmonies are featured on numerous #1 hits and high-profile projects, spanning film, television, and radio.

As a “first call” vocalist in Nashville, Micah’s vocal talents have been prominently showcased on #1 hits and recordings by leading artists such as Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, Elle King, Redferrin, Michael Ray, Darius Rucker, and Chayce Beckham.

In addition to his work with artists, Micah’s singing has been featured in popular television shows including Grey’s Anatomy, The Terminal List, Legacies, Vampire Diaries, and Sons of Anarchy. His distinctive voice and versatility continue to make a significant impact on the music industry worldwide.

Brian Kushmaul grew up in Columbus, Ohio wanting to be a rock and roll drummer. After playing in several garage bands, he was a jazz major in college before studying classical percussion at Temple University. He has drummed with many of the top symphony and philharmonic orchestras in the country, including those of Pittsburgh, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, Columbus, Kansas City, San Diego, North Carolina, Virginia, Phoenix, and the Philly Pops.

Brian is the principal percussionist of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and has been a member of the orchestra for 30 seasons. When not on stage, there is a good chance he is on the golf course trying to break 80.

Stuart Chafetz is the Principal Pops Conductor of the Columbus, Chautauqua, and Marin Symphony Orchestras. A conductor celebrated for his dynamic and engaging podium presence, Chafetz is increasingly in demand with orchestras across the continent. This season, Chafetz will be on the podium in Baltimore, Detroit, Naples, Vancouver, Calgary, North Carolina, and Seattle. He enjoys a special relationship with the Phoenix Symphony, where he leads multiple programs annually.

Chafetz has had the privilege to work with renowned artists including Violent Femmes, Ne-Yo, Leslie Odom, Jr., En Vogue, Kenny G, David Foster and Catherine McPhee, The O’Jays, Chris Botti, 2 Cellos, Rick Springfield, Michael Bolton, Kool & The Gang, Jefferson Starship, George Benson, Marvin Hamlisch, Wynonna Judd, and Bernadette Peters.

He previously held posts as resident conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and associate conductor of the Louisville Orchestra. As principal timpanist of the Honolulu Symphony for twenty years, Chafetz would also conduct the annual Nutcracker performances with Ballet Hawaii and principals from the American Ballet Theatre. It was during that time that Chafetz led numerous concerts with the Maui Symphony and Pops. He has also led numerous spring ballet performances at the world-renowned Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University.

Chafetz makes his home near San Francisco, CA, with his wife, Ann Krinitsky. Chafetz holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and a master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music.

The Rock Series is presented by:

Details

Date:
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Time:
7:30 pm
Event Categories:
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Venue

Kleinhans Music Hall
3 Symphony Circle
Buffalo, NY 14201 United States
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Phone:
(716) 885-5000

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