Pacific Symphony Pops to Present THE GERSHWINS: HERE TO STAY, 3/14-16

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Strike up the (big) band for a one-of-a-kind concert experience as Pacific Symphony Pops celebrates the greatest team of collaborators in American music history: George and Ira Gershwin. "The Gershwins: Here to Stay" is a unique multimedia event that illuminates the lives and music of the composer and his lyricist brother with home movies, original photos and rare audio and video footage.

This all-Gershwin concert features some of the duo's best contributions to the Great American songbook and orchestral repertoire including "Summertime," "Rhapsody in Blue," "The Man I Love," "I Got Rhythm," "'S Wonderful," "Strike Up the Band" and many more. Led by guest conductor Albert-George Schram, the concert stars "the best Gershwin pianist in America today" (Chicago Tribune), Kevin Cole, plus Grammy Award-winning soprano Sylvia McNair and tap dancer/vocalist Danny Gardner, who portrays the Gershwins' friend Fred Astaire.

Having enjoyed a long-time friendship with Ira, Cole shares personal stories of the Gershwin brothers to help new and old audiences further connect to their cherished music-performed by the full Symphony orchestra.

This Gershwin extravaganza takes place Thursday through Saturday, March 14-16, at 8 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Tickets are $25-$160; for more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

The irresistable appeal of George and Ira Gershwin's music has transcended generations through the voices of the great American crooners such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Doris Day, Tony Bennett, Gene Kelly and many more. In 1914, George left high school to become a "plugger" on Tin Pan Alley, where he composed his first mega-hit, "Swanee." Later, he collaborated with Ira to write more than 20 scores for Broadway and Hollywood. After George's death in 1937, at only 39, Ira maintained archives of their music, and both brothers received the Congressional Gold Medal posthumously in 1985. Ira Gershwin was the first lyricist to win a Pulitzer Prize. Today, their music is brought to life by scholar-interpreters like Cole and the generosity of the George Gershwin Family and the Ira and Leonore Gershwin trusts.

Equally adept at conducting classical and pops programs, guest conductor Schram is currently resident conductor of the Nashville Symphony and resident staff conductor of the Columbus (Ohio) and Charlotte symphonies. He has also served as music director of the Lubbock (Texas) Symphony and the Lynn (Fla.) Philharmonic and has held titled positions with the Louisville and Florida Philharmonic orchestras. As a pops conductor, Schram has worked with James Taylor, Art Garfunkel, Chris Botti, LeAnn Rimes, Boyz II Men, Kenny G, Olivia Newton-John, Chicago, Aretha Franklin and many others. He also has put together a variety of theme programs, including a Big Band show, a Ray Charles tribute, "Home for the Holidays" (a Christmas program) and a romantic evening called "That's Amore."

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