Holiday Pops

Dear Friends,

It is my honor to welcome you to the 54th season of the Ashland Symphony Orchestra. We look forward to seeing and hearing what our Grammy Award winning Music Director and Conductor, Michael Repper, in his second year, has in store for us. Michael’s enthusiasm, talent, and ability to “think outside the box” in dynamic, innovative, and delightful ways were evident in his inaugural year. He and our outstanding musicians presented an array of both familiar and new musical offerings and we look forward to more of that this year. As always, we strive to unite, educate and enrich our community through the engaging and transformative power of orchestral music experiences. We hope you find it inspiring and refreshing. Happy listening!

Allan Andersen, President
ASO Board of Directors

Dear Ashland Symphony Orchestra Patrons,

It is my great privilege to welcome you to our concerts at the marvelous Robert M. & Janet L. Archer Auditorium. I am incredibly proud to be taking the helm as Ashland’s new Music Director, and to continue to grow this jewel of Ashland County. We are going to make tremendous music together and enjoy a wonderful communal spirit. Our concerts are a place for everyone – come and enjoy, and be sure to introduce yourself! Our musicians and I are incredibly proud to share our work with you, and we hope you enjoy every minute!

Michael Repper
Music Director and Conductor
Ashland Symphony Orchestra

I am excited to be celebrating my 10^th season with the ASO! This “Fabulously (un)familiar” season will bring you works by the old masters: Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky. But you will also hear the world premiere of Stefan Swanson’s Symphony No.2 “Lipsky”, Iubilo by Brian Nabors, Starburst by Jessie Montgomery, and the artistry of the young cellist Aurelia Faidley-Solars, just to name a few of the unfamiliar musical experiences you will have.

Free tickets for children and students and the ASO Fan Club, for students in 9^th-12^th grade and college students, and the new ASO Fan Club Jr, for students in 4^th-8^th grade, bring young listeners to our concerts.

Be sure to invite your friends, family, and colleagues to come listen to what people are talking about!

Martha Buckner
Executive Director
Ashland Symphony Orchestra

Michael Repper is one of the most sought-after young conductors in the world. With work spanning four continents, Mr. Repper has an international reputation for engaging and exciting audiences of all spectrums, and for promoting new and diverse musical talents. In 2023, he became the youngest American conductor to win a Grammy® Award in Best Orchestral Performance.

Mr. Repper is the Music Director of the Ashland Symphony Orchestra, Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, New York Youth Symphony, Northern Neck Orchestra of Virginia, and the Principal Conductor of Sinfonía por el Perú, the elite youth orchestras and choruses representing one of South America’s most versatile social impact music programs. Recognizing his success at these ensembles, and his growing profile as a guest conductor all over the world, Mr. Repper was awarded a Solti Foundation US Career Assistance Award in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

His album with the New York Youth Symphony, which features debut recordings of works by Florence Price, Jessie Montgomery, and Valerie Coleman, achieved widespread critical acclaim, reached #1 on the Billboard Chart, a won a GRAMMY® Award, the first youth orchestra to achieve this milestone.

Mr. Repper has collaborated on large-scale productions of symphonic and theatrical works with the Weill Music Institute at Carnegie Hall, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ravinia Festival, Peabody Institute of Music, and the New School of Music, among others. An avid pianist, he regularly performs as a soloist alongside his orchestras and choruses, and as an orchestral player as well. Most recently, he played in the Chicago Symphony for their performances of Bernstein’s Mass, which was broadcast on PBS Great Performances. ​

​Alongside the standard repertoire, Mr. Repper is especially invested in programming new music and showcasing fresh talent. His ensembles have performed dozens of world premieres and pursued innovative commissions, as well as a variety of Carnegie Hall premieres from established and emerging composers. Mr. Repper was the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Conducting Fellow for two seasons, and he served as the BSO’s New Music Consultant. A trusted ear, Mr. Repper is asked to assist and cover at orchestras nationwide, including the St. Louis Symphony, and for Naxos recordings with the Peabody Symphony Orchestra. His experience with choruses has been recognized with significant positions, including his tenure as the Music Director at the Baltimore Basilica, the first Catholic Cathedral in the United States. Internationally, Mr. Repper has performed with some of the most highly regarded ensembles and in the world’s greatest venues, including the São Paulo Symphony, and at the Palau de la Musica in Barcelona.

His discography includes the aforementioned album of music with the New York Youth Symphony, alongside an album with the Grammy-Nominated Metropolis Ensemble and Grammy-Winning Brooklyn Youth Chorus (“Musical America”), and several with the Peabody Institute as an Assistant Conductor. With the New York Youth Symphony during the Coronavirus pandemic, he was one of the first to pioneer the practice of distanced orchestral performance videos, and he made two performance appearances on CNN, the final one with Platinum-Artist Billy Ray Cyrus.

Mr. Repper complements his work with professional orchestras with a firm commitment to education, and travels worldwide to work with ensembles of young musicians. As Artistic Director of the Chamber Music Society of Maryland, he ushered in a slate of innovative educational programming, such as the Reinecke Youth Chamber Music Scholarship and Fellowship Program. He conducts several masterclasses each year for orchestras from all over the United States on behalf of the New York Philharmonic, and conducts side-by-side and educational concerts with major orchestras, including the Baltimore Symphony and the Colorado Symphony.

Mr. Repper’s most influential conducting mentors are Marin Alsop and the late Gustav Meier. He believes that a conductor’s main role is to connect people and to use performance as a vehicle for positive change. He aims to promote a diverse and inclusive future for the arts, and to pay forward the passion for community that his mentors demonstrated to him.

Cara Dziak
Faith Elert
Justina Fabich
Carol Oberholtzer
Suzanne Salvo
Gail Taylor

Trillium Flute Choir is composed of flutists from North Central Ohio who enjoy playing music specifically arranged for an expandable flute choir.  We play piccolo, Eb flute, alto flute and bass flute along with our typical C flutes.

Tonight, we are honored to be playing along with an orchestral arrangement of Dance of the Reed Flutes written for three C flutes.

Kelly Knowlton has been singing since she could walk (and possibly before), and has spent the majority of her life as an avid participant in musical performances and ensembles of all types, ranging from jazz to musical theatre to marching band, as well as chamber ensembles and solo recitals. While earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Ashland University, she was the recipient of numerous vocal awards and superlative honors. During her time there she also performed a varied repertoire of classical works, including oratorio, opera, and operetta, but it was also there that she discovered her passion for jazz music, honing her vocal, piano, and trumpet skills.

Kelly has been active in the theatre community throughout her life, as both a performing artist and a musical director. Kelly can also be seen performing at numerous venues throughout the state of Ohio with Just Jazz Live, Stardust, The Artistic Jazz Orchestra, and many others. She favors the classics of the Great American Songbook, but always welcomes the opportunity to throw a wildcard into the mix, citing as influences the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, Kurt Elling, Diane Schuur, Aretha Franklin, and Lady Gaga.

Kelly is in her 17th year as an educator, and is currently teaching PreK-8th grade music and art at St. Edward School. She also leads worship at Park Street Brethren Church in Ashland. Kelly and her handsome husband Steve are the proud parents of three beautiful, inquisitive, and rambunctious girls, Olive, Georgia, and Winifred. When she is not teaching or making music, Kelly enjoys tinkering in her basement full of craft supplies, and making complicated ethnic recipes with entirely too many ingredients.

Heer Amin is the daughter of Purvi Amin and Nrujal Amin. A 9^th grader at Ashland High School, Heer has played the violin for 5 years and is currently a member of the Ashland High School Orchestra. She joined the Fan Club because, “I wanted to see what a real symphony looked like.”

Addi Bonfiglio is the daughter of Diane Bonfiglio and Jeffery Bonfiglio. Addi is a sophomore at Ashland High School and plays clarinet (5 years) in the AHS Symphonic Band, bass clarinet (2 years) AHS Orchestra and Symphonic Band, and plays the oboe (1 year). She joined the Fan Club because, “I got into classical music, and I just really enjoy playing clarinet and bass clarinet.” Addi wants you to know, “I am also a dancer! My really love ballet, and I especially love dancing to famous composers that I can recognize.”

Eva Early is the daughter of Rachel and Raymel Early. A sophomore at Ashland High School, Eva has been singing for 6 years and is a soprano in the AHS Acapella Choir. Eva joined the Fan Club because, “I love classical music and I am thrilled that my city has its very own orchestra! I like Fan Club because of the people and the opportunities it comes with!” Eva also wants you to know, “I am a dancer of 8 years in 8 different styles!”

Grace Hall is the daughter of Tarah Christian. Grace is a 10^th grader at Ashland High School and plays tenor sax (3 years) in the AHS Jazz Band A and clarinet (6 years) in the AHS Symphonic Band. Grace joined the Fan Club because, “I wanted the opportunity to talk to more musicians.”

Kloey Kaeser is the daughter of Kate Kaeser. Kloey is a senior at Ashland High School and plays violin (6 years) in the AHS Orchestra and cello (9 years) in the school orchestra, Regional Orchestra, and Mansfield Symphony Youth Orchestra. She joined the Fan Club, “To be able to talk to likeminded individuals who enjoy music like I do.”

Cecilia Kettering is the daughter of Mary and Brian Kettering. She is an 8^th grader at Ashland Middle School and plays violin (4 years) in the AMS Orchestra. She joined the Fan Club because, “I love going to the concerts and listening to live music! I like getting to see my mom play in the orchestra too.” Cici also wants you to know, “I love music theater and have been in several shows in Mansfield. I also love drawing, writing, and singing!” Cici is an alto and has been singing for 3 years and takes private voice lessons.

Hannah Miller is the daughter of Paul and Christine Miller. Hannah is a junior at Ashland High School, has played violin for 9 years, and is a member of the Ashland High School Orchestra. Hannah says, “I joined the Fan Club because I love music and have always enjoyed going to the ASO concerts. I first joined it because it was free because I was a member of Tri-M, but I enjoyed it so much I kept my membership this year and plan on doing so in the future. I like it because it gives me opportunities to interact with people who have made music a large part of their life and meeting them and hearing what it is like is inspiring.” Hannah wants you to know, “I play on the varsity girls’ tennis team and I love working on the tech crew for the AHS fall play and winter musical in addition to playing in the pit orchestra during the winter. I am also a member of the local American Heritage Girls troop.”

Yanna Obringer is the daughter of Brigitte and David Obringer and is a student at Ashland High School. She plays percussion.

Cooper Sanders is the son of Jimmy and Tiffany Sanders. He is a freshman at Cleveland State University and plays drum set and percussion (9 years) with Big Band and Jazz Combo. Copper joined the Fan Club because, “I love music and I am always looking for more opportunities to listen and expose myself to it.”

Kayla Selan is the daughter of Brad Selan and Cara Selan. A senior at Ashland High School, Kayla plays trombone (9 years) in the AHS Symphonic Band and Jazz Band, euphonium (2 years) in Symphonic Band, and plays piano/keyboard (4 years) in local church groups. Kalya says, “I joined the Fan Club because it opened the door to a more immersive experience with a symphony orchestra. My dream is to become a conductor therefore joining the Fan Club has allowed me to get an early start. What I love about the Fan Club is how much care they have towards students. Both Michael Repper and Martha Buckner have given the Fan Club amazing experiences. The Fan Club pours into their students and helps them make their dreams a reality.” She also wants you to know, “Not only do I love performing on stages with an instrument, I love acting and dancing. I have been involved in the past 2 AHS musicals. I love being on a stage. I will take any opportunity to get on a stage!” Looking toward the future, “I am planning to continue music through college. I will either go to Cleveland State University or Ohio University for a Bachelor of Arts in music with an emphasis in conducting.”

Eliana Selvage is the daughter of Tom and Vickie Selvage. A 7^th grader at Ashland Middle School, Ellie plays flute (2 years), piano (3 years) and violin (3 years) and recently joined the Mansfield Symphony Youth Strings.  She joined the Fan Club because, “I get an opportunity to see every ASO concert and hear the conductor talk about it before it starts.” Ellie says, “Thank you for the opportunity to play with the ASO!”

Jacob Slade is the son of Peter and Elizabeth Slade and is a student at Ashland High School. Jacob plays percussion.

Melody Smith is the daughter of Tyler and Leah Smith and is a student at Ashland MIddle School. She plays the cello.

Simon Vance is a senior at Ashland High School and plays cello (8 years) with the AHS Orchestra. He joined the Fan Club for, “Once in a lifetime opportunities and great connections.” He also wants you to know that he builds and fights robots.

Additional Fan Club Members as of 11/15/2023

Elizabeth Arnold is the daughter of Lucinda Arnold and is a student at Hillsdale High School.

Ilyssa Brown is the daughter of Nicky Brown and is a student at Ashland Middle School.

Hendrix Early is the son of Rachel Early and is a student at Ashland Middle School.

William Hovey is the son of Graig and Kim Hovey and is a student at Ashland High School.

Jael McFadden is the daughter of Jalon McFadden and is a Homeschool student.

Clara Obringer is the daughter of David and Brigitte Obringer and is a student at Ashland Middle School.

Dj Primm is the daughter of Edith Primm and is a student at Crestline Middle School.

Grace Rivenburgh is the daughter of Sarah Rivenburgh and is a student at Ashland High School.

Scarlett Wilhelm is the daughter of Kristi Wilhelm and is a student at Ashland High School.

The Ashland Symphony Orchestra thanks

Our ushers and volunteers
Philip McNaull, Technical Director
Aidan Campbell, Assistant Technical Director
Seth Morrison, Stage Manager
Bryce Bishop, Assistant Stage Manager
Jen Burford, House Manager
Mark Gorsuch, Volunteers Coordinator

Ashland City Schools for its continued support of the arts
Roger Price, Professional Voice Actor & Announcer, www.RogerzVoice.com

Please silence all electronic devices.
No flash photography or audio/visual recording permitted.
No food or drink permitted in the Robert M. & Janet L. Archer Auditorium.

Thank you for your cooperation.

In 1997, Bob and Jan Archer established the first donor fund through the Ashland County Community Foundation to benefit the Ashland Symphony Orchestra. The ASO then partnered with the ACCF in 1999 and created the “Ashland Symphony Orchestra Fund in Memorium of James E. Thomas”. Since then, three new agency funds and fourteen additional donor advised or designated funds have been established! The Ashland County Community Foundation can assist you in creating a fund to benefit the Ashland Symphony Orchestra now or as part of your estate plan. For more information, call the Foundation at 419-281-4733.

Donations may be made to existing endowments at any time. Contact the Foundation for more information www.ashlandforgood.org.

*To contribute to these funds, please send donation to Ashland Symphony Orchestra, 401 College Ave., Ashland, OH 44805.

The Ashland Symphony Orchestra is thankful for the following funds:

Robert M. & Janet L. Archer Fund est. 1997

Ashland Symphony Orchestra Fund in Memorium of James E. Thomas est. 1999*

ASO Podium Endowment Fund in Honor of Maestro Arie Lipsky est. 2018*

ASO Harold Weller Music Education Endowment Fund est. 2019*
gift from Nick & Edna Weller Charities: Harold & Betsy Weller and Thomas Weller

ASO Rev. John H. Landrum Memorial Endowed Chair for Flute 2 est. 2020*
gift from Marybelle H. Landrum

Ashland Symphony Orchestra est. 2000

Mary M. Case Memorial Fund est. 2005

Ann K. Guthrie Fund est. 2009

Arie Lipsky Honorary Endowment Fund est. 2010

Kopp Family Fund est. 2011

Dr. Alvin W. Garrett Fund est. 2017

William and Marlene Rose Fund est. 2017

J. Robert and Ruth L. Tipton Fund est. 2017

Dr. JoAnn Ford Watson Fund est. 2017

Dr. Beverly Bixler Fund est. 2018

Billy Harris Charitable Fund est. 2018

Lawrence and Catherine Hiner Endowed Chair for Percussion of the ASO Fund est. 2020

John R. Donelson for the benefit of the ASO est. 2021

Elizabeth Pastor Fund for the benefit of the ASO est. 2021

F. Dean and Joan Bartosic Family Fund for the benefit of the ASO est. 2023