Charlotte Symphony Orchestra

Albert-George Schram Conductor Pops Series Presenting Sponsor Pops Series Television Sponsor	2007-08 POPS season 8 programs at 8:00 pm in the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center - Belk Theater (unless otherwise noted) Albert-George Schram returns to the Charlotte Symphony Pops for the tenth consecutive season to conduct a rousing series of concerts showcasing the best of American popular music. Alan Yamamoto leads the Orchestra in Charlotte’s most popular annual holiday concert, Magic of Christmas. Albert-George Schram, who also leads the Symphony’s Summer Pops at SouthPark, and Resident Conductor Alan Yamamoto are two of Charlotte’s most engaging and recognized musical artists. Visa Signature cardholders may take advantage of preferred seating and 10% savings on tickets, available to valid Visa Signature cardholders. Check the front of your card for the “Visa Signature” name and mention to the box office representative if you’re eligible to receive this offer. Following another successful Summer Pops season for Visa Signature, we're pleased to extend a special offer to all Visa Signature cardholders for the upcoming Winter Pops season. The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra kicks off its Season in September 2007 and Visa Signature cardholders receive a 10% discount to all CSO Pops concerts! To take advantage of this special Visa offer, call the CSO ticket office at 704-972-2000 (on sale dates are listed below). For more information about the benefits of being a Visa Signature cardholder, or to apply for a Visa Signature card, visit visa.com/signature.
Past Performances
	The Kingston Trio Fri Apr 4 & Sat Apr 5 • 8:00 pm Blumenthal Performing Arts Center - Belk Theater Victor Vanacore, conducting Half a century ago, The Kingston Trio jump started the Folk Revival. In 1957, the recent college grads were playing gigs at San Francisco clubs like the Cracked Pot and the Purple Onion. A year later, they had the number one hit in the nation – “Tom Dooley.” These folkies recapture the days of coffeehouse hootenannies with the best of American folk music. Visit The Kingston Trio's Website

	Tribute to America’s Heroes The U.S. Army Soldiers’ Chorus Fri Jan 18 & Sat Jan 19 • 8:00 pm Blumenthal Performing Arts Center - Belk Theater Albert-George Schram, conducting Founded in 1957, the 29-member U.S. Army Soldiers’ Chorus is the vocal complement of the United States Army Field Band of Washington D.C. The Chorus has performed with the National Symphony and the Boston Pops and has appeared around the globe and in all 50 states. The Soldiers’ Chorus has also been honored to participate in the state funerals of Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford as a part of The Armed Forces Chorus. Conductor Erich Kunzel calls them “the greatest military chorus in the world.” Join these musical ambassadors as they perform a rousing patriotic concert for the whole family.

	Manhattan Transfer Fri Oct 5 & Sat Oct 6 • 8:00 pm Blumenthal Performing Arts Center - Belk Theater Albert-George Schram, conducting Ooooowheee! You’ve got to come and see this multi-Grammy-winning vocal quartet from New York City. For more than 30 years, The Manhattan Transfer has topped charts and thrilled audiences with swinging rhythm and soulful harmony. Masters of many styles, the foursome delivers fired-up gospel (“Operator”), old-fashioned pop (“Boy from New York City”), and jazzy croons (“Birdland”) with their signature sound. Come hear why they’re the most from coast to coast. Winner of 10 Grammy Awards, Manhattan Transfer is perhaps the greatest pops vocal ensemble ever! Watch a video of Manhattan Transfer performing.

	Natalie Cole Fri Oct 12 • 8:00 pm Ovens Auditorium Albert-George Schram, conducting “Diva” is a fitting title for eight-time Grammy Award-winner Natalie Cole. Having released her twentieth studio album, Leavin’, last fall, Cole has sold more than 30 million records in a lifetime of singing that began with her famous father when she was just 11 years old. Her warm, sensual voice can steam up an R&B song or caress an old-fashioned pop standard. Making her first appearance with the Charlotte Symphony, Cole performs highlights from her 30-year career. Watch a video of Natalie performing.

	Hooray for Hollywood! Fri Nov 2 & Sat Nov 3 • 8:00 pm Blumenthal Performing Arts Center - Belk Theater Michael Krajewski, conducting Soundtracks from the silver screen come to life in this concert of movie music classics. Michael Krajewski, Principal Pops Conductor of both the Houston Symphony and the Jacksonville Symphony, leads the Orchestra in Hollywood’s greatest scores, from the sweeping “Tara’s Theme” of Gone with the Wind to The Magnificent Seven’s wide-open western theme and favorites from Titanic, The Wizard of Oz, James Bond, and much more!

	Bravo Broadway! Fri Nov 23 & Sat Nov 24 • 8:00 pm Blumenthal Performing Arts Center - Belk Theater Albert-George Schram, conducting Three of Broadway’s best headline this tribute to The Great White Way. Jodi Benson won a Tony Award for the Gershwin musical, Crazy for You, and was the voice of Ariel in Disney’s animated hit, The Little Mermaid. Doug LaBrecque starred in the Hal Prince revival of Showboat and toured with Les Misérables. And Jan Horvath was was an original Broadway member in The Phantom of the Opera. Join these show stopping singers for a tour of musical theater.

	Magic of Christmas Fri Dec 7 • 8:00 pm Sat Dec 8 • 2:30 pm & 8:00 pm Sun Dec 9 • 2:30 pm Blumenthal Performing Arts Center - Belk Theater Alan Yamamoto, conducting Scott Allen Jarrett, conducting “A Charlotte tradition… Magic of Christmas sparkles like an ornament,” is how The Charlotte Observer describes the Symphony’s annual holiday celebration. Led by Resident Conductor Alan Yamamoto and Oratorio Singers Director Scott Allen Jarrett, this popular yuletide concert features caroling choirs, a rousing sing-along, and special guest performers. A musical gift for all ages!

	Johnny Mathis Fri Apr 25 • 8:00 pm Ovens Auditorium Albert-George Schram, conducting Chances are, this one-night-only performance by the smooth-singing balladeer will sell out. Twice inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and winner of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Johnny Mathis spent 10 consecutive years on Billboard’s Top Albums chart. And he still leaves listeners misty: His “soaring tenor with its sobbing edge conveys an eternally adolescent romantic yearning,” writes The New York Times. Watch a video of Johnny performing.