A Sinatra Christmas
December 19
Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall at FSW
2020-2021 Season Sponsor: Gunterberg Charitable Foundation – Culliton Family
Conductor
Dr. Andrew M. Kurtz
Guest Artist
Brian Duprey
Program
Salute To Ol’ Blue Eyes
I’ve Got You Under My Skin • Strangers in the Night • That’s Life • The Lady is a Tramp
arr. John Moss
Jingle Bells
Piermont, arr. English
The Christmas Song
Tormé, arr. English
Mistletoe & Holly
Sinatra, arr. English
Christmas Waltz
Styne, arr. English
White Christmas
Berlin, arr. English
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Coots, arr. English
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Willis, arr. English
Christmas Medley
Sleigh Ride • Most Wonderful Time of the Year • White Christmas • Christmas Eve in Sarejevo
arr. English
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Kent, arr. English
The First Noel
Stainer, arr. English
Let It Snow!
Styne, arr. English
Silent Night
Gruber, arr. English
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Mendelssohn, arr. English
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Martin, arr. English
Vocalist
Brian Duprey
Andrew M. Kurtz
Music & Executive Director
Gulf Coast Symphony founder Dr. Andrew M. Kurtz enters his twenty-sixth season as the Symphony’s Music & Executive Director, and conductor. His deep rooted commitment to new work, community and education, combined with a vibrant artistic vision has led to creating and nurturing one of the most dynamic arts organizations in the region. His conducting has been called “passionate, expansive, expert, and musical.” He was named the 2007 Performing Artist of the Year at Lee County’s Angel of the Arts Awards. Kurtz’s repertoire encompasses a wide range of music styles from baroque to contemporary, and multiple genres including symphonic, opera, ballet, musical theater, jazz, cantorial, and symphonic pops.
An avid arts educator, Maestro Kurtz was Resident Music Director at the Luzerne Music Center. Kurtz is a past-president of the board of the Lee County Alliance for the Arts. In 2001, he won First Prize in the Dell’Arte di Firenze International Conducting Competition, and made his European conducting debut in Florence. In 1995, Kurtz made his international operatic debut in Tel Aviv while working as a staff conductor at the Israel Vocal Arts Institute. In 1997, he conducted the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s educational tour production of The Best of Puccini. He was a scholarship conducting student at the prestigious Aspen Music Festival, and boasts numerous other conducting credits, including the Pennsylvania Opera Theater, the Pennsylvania Ballet, the Charlotte Symphony, Gonzaga Symphony, and the Ocean City Pops.
Kurtz completed his doctoral studies in conducting at the Peabody Conservatory and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Virginia where he received his master’s degree in music history and a bachelor of arts in music and drama. A native of Philadelphia, Kurtz has called Southwest Florida home for more than 28 years, where he currently resides with his wife, Julie, and their son, Benjamin.
Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra Members
Violin 1
Sean O’Neil~
Clive Owens
Carlann Evans
Ariel Eliot~
Marcia Prezioso
Violin 2
Margaret Nichols
John DiPuccio~
David Sawtelle
Brenda Cali
Sharyl Leifeld
Viola
Alfonso Giordano
Greg Lane~
Ron Erickson~
Cello
Antonio Innaimo~
Scott Crowley~
Timothy Torres~
Andreas Werle
Double Bass
Doni Landefeld
Scott Davis~
John Wadsworth
Flute
Deb Handley
Sherrie Mangan
Oboe
Jonathan Gentry
Clarinet
John Giacco
Nicholas Contreras
Bassoon
Stacey Gossmann
Horn
Dana Williams~
Steve Kreuz
Trumpet
Cindy Klispie
Alan Klispie
Trombone
Jeff Goldblatt
Adrian Hance
Percussion
Scott Crawford~
Paul Gavin
Piano
Gary Stroh~
Guitar
Timothy Torres~
~ Denotes Gulf Coast Symphony Chamber Orchestra Member
Spring Events Now On Sale!
At the new Music & Arts Community Center
The Tony nominated musical I Do! I Do! is a touching story of two soul mates navigating the ups and downs of 50 years of married life.
Jan 20-30
A strong advocate for music and the arts in the community, the Gulf Coast Symphony honors Ms. Reiko Niiya as she performs with 10 of her musician friends.
Jan 24
In-person and virtual classes for all ages!
Starts Jan 25