What you need to know about Milwaukee Symphony Pops 2023-'24 season, including concert of John Williams music
In what's likely to be a highlight of the next Milwaukee Symphony Pops season, music director Ken-David Masur will conduct the compositions of his friend and mentor John Williams.
Yes, that John Williams, the composer of music for "Star Wars," "Jaws," "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "Schindler's List," "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and many other movies.
Masur and Williams have a long history together, grounded in the years Masur spent as associate conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra; Williams is a former Boston Pops Orchestra conductor. They've even shared a podium together in concert.
Milwaukee's 2023-'24 Pops and Specials season also will feature holiday-time screenings of popular films with the MSO performing the score live.
All performances will be at the Bradley Symphony Center, 212 W. Wisconsin Ave. Here's a summary of the Pops and Special Concerts 2023-'24 lineup.
Milwaukee Symphony Pops concerts
Gershwin Celebration with the Marcus Roberts Trio, Oct. 6-8. Jazz pianist Roberts and guest vocalist Tatiana Mayfield lead this tribute concert to a great American composer who bridged the classical and popular music worlds.
Holiday Pops, Dec. 14-19. Conductor-trumpeter Byron Stripling, vocalist Mamie Parris, and the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus under director Cheryl Frazes Hill combine forces for the MSO's annual winter program.
Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration, Feb. 16-18. Conductor Stuart Chafetz and vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway will evoke a distinctive singer through such songs as "Fever," 'Is That All There Is," "Black Coffee" and "Big Spender."
Nothin' But the Blues, March 15-17. Vocalist Shayna Steele will dig into the songbooks of Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, Billie Holiday and other greats.
Movie Music of John Williams, May 3-5, 2024. Music director Ken-David Masur warmed up for this gig recently by conducting a New York Philharmonic gala featuring Williams' music.
Latin Fire, May 31-June 2, 2024. Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez, trumpeter Jose Sibaja (who is lead trumpet for the Boston Brass) and vocalist Mónica Abrego lead a concert of Latin American orchestra music.
MSO and films
"Elf," Nov. 24-26. The MSO performs John Debney's score to the contemporary holiday classic starring Will Ferrell.
"Back to the Future," Dec. 30-31. Say goodbye to the old year with a screening featuring the MSO performing Alan Silvestri's score, plus about 20 additional minutes of music Silvestri composed for live orchestral presentations of the movie.
Specials
Handel's "Messiah," Dec. 8-10. Masur, who loves choral music, will conduct the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus in Handel's popular oratorio.
BSC Presents
Holiday Jazz, Dec. 2. Chicago vocalist Dee Alexander and guitarist John McLean will perform a concert of seasonal standards and spirtuals. Note: The MSO does not perform in this concert.
Subscriptions are available now. For ticket info, visit mso.org or call (414) 291-7605. Single-ticket sales for these shows will be announced later.
More: What you need to know about Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra's 2023-'24 season
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What you need to know about Milwaukee Symphony Pops 2023-'24 season
