Concert to feature highlights from beloved musicals including The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific, and more

Halifax, NS – Symphony Nova Scotia performs some of Broadway’s greatest musical hits on Saturday, November 12 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, November 13 at 2:00 pm at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax.

The concert highlights the music of Broadway composer Richard Rodgers, who wrote his famous musicals in partnership with his regular collaborators Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II.

Together, Rodgers and Hammerstein became two of Broadway’s greatest legends, and the creators of some of the most popular musicals of all time, including The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific, and The King and I.

Now, Symphony Nova Scotia’s expanded orchestra performs the best of Richard Rodgers as arranged by the late Howard Cable, a long-time personal collaborator with Rodgers himself.

“I worked directly with Richard Rodgers – starting with Pal Joey, his final show with Larry Hart, right through to No Strings, his first show without Oscar Hammerstein,” said Howard.

“During that period I arranged print music from Carousel, Oklahoma, South Pacific and The Sound of Music, plus the movie musical, State Fair.”

The concert will be led by guest conductor Greg Burton, and will also feature solo performances from Symphony Nova Scotia’s own virtuoso musicians, including oboist June Kim, English hornist Brian James, and cellist Norman Adams.

The concerts include music from:

• Pal Joey
• Babes In Arms
• Jumbo
• Garrick Gaieties
• Oklahoma
• Carousel
• South Pacific
• Cinderella
• The King And I
• State Fair
• No Strings
• The Sound of Music

Famous songs featured in the concert lineup include Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered, My Funny Valentine, Oh What a Beautiful Morning, It Might as Well Be Spring, Manhattan, My Romance, and many more.

This concert will be presented in memory of the late Howard Cable, who passed away on March 30, 2016. The concert will feature videos of Howard speaking about this music and the inspiration and stories behind it.

Tickets for both concerts begin at $30 (HST included), or you can save up to 35% by purchasing a ticket package. Tickets are available at the Dalhousie Arts Centre Box Office (6101 University Avenue, Halifax), at 902.494.3820, or online at symphonynovascotia.ca.

About Howard Cable

Howard Cable was a true Canadian icon. His 79-year career in the music industry was one of the longest in North America. After forming his first dance band in 1937, Howard’s talent began attracting attention. He quickly earned his own shows – first on CBC radio, and then on television with the popular program Showtime.

In the 1960s, Howard moved to New York, where he conducted two Broadway musicals. In addition, he worked for Richard Rodgers, Meredith Willson, and Frank Loesser, arranging their music for publication. Though his career could have continued indefinitely in the United States, Howard chose to return home to become Director of Onsite Entertainment for Expo ’67. His longest running contribution to Canadian heritage began in 1986, when he was asked by the Commanding Officer of the Ceremonial Guard to write their signature march. This music is still played every day for the changing of the guard on Parliament Hill.

As Music Director of the Royal York Hotel, Howard worked with some of the greatest names in show business – Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Bob Hope, Danny Kaye, and Jim Carrey, to name only a few.

Howard was always an advocate for music education. While teaching at the Banff Centre for the Arts, two of his students, Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) and Cynthia Dale (Street Legal) went on to very successful acting careers.

Howard’s broad repertoire kept him in high demand. He maintained a busy schedule composing and arranging music, as well as numerous conducting engagements. His huge library of published music was recorded on many labels and is performed worldwide. He wrote the scores for 11 films at the National Film Board.

Howard died peacefully at home in Toronto on March 30, 2016, just after spending a day working on the music for his upcoming 2016 concert with Symphony Nova Scotia. Many of stories of his vast career can be read at his blog called “Howard Cable Remembers” (www.howardcableblog.com).

About Greg Burton, conductor

Greg Burton is honoured to be working with Symphony Nova Scotia again this season. He is currently based in Sackville, NB, teaching in the Music Department of Mount Allison University and performing with Symphony New Brunswick.

Greg is an active conductor, performer, adjudicator and teacher. Prior to joining the faculty at Mount Allison he was Music Director of the York Symphony Orchestra, Halton-Mississauga Youth Orchestra, the University of Toronto Wind Ensemble and the McMaster University Chamber Orchestra. He performed with and conducted the Niagara Symphony, and was Director of Arts at Hillfield Strathallan College in Hamilton Ontario.

Prior to his work in Ontario, Greg was a regular conductor and performer with Symphony Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra. Greg is excited to be working again with his colleagues of Symphony Nova Scotia.

About Symphony Nova Scotia

Symphony Nova Scotia is Nova Scotia’s orchestra. Each year more than 50,000 audience members (including 15,000 young music lovers) join us in communities across Nova Scotia for performances of the music they love – from baroque and classical to pop and rock and folk. Under the inspirational leadership of Music Director Bernhard Gueller, Symphony Nova Scotia is one of the most broadcast orchestras in the country, with over 20 commercial releases and multiple East Coast Music Awards. Visit symphonynovascotia.ca to learn more, listen online, or get tickets today!

###

For more information, please contact:

Heidi MacPhee
Director of Communications and Marketing, Symphony Nova Scotia
902.421.5264
[email protected]
symphonynovascotia.ca