Glassmen to team up with Toledo Symphony

From a Glassmen press release: The Glassmen will return to the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle stage in a collaboration with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra set for March 24-25, 2006. The corps performed Respighi's "Pines of Appian Way" with the symphony for two sold-out audiences in 2004, continuing an association with the local orchestra that has spanned more than a decade. Executive director of the Glassmen, Brian Hickman, was thrilled to make the announcement. "We are so excited to renew our relationship with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra through this collaboration, and look forward to this very special experience for the members." Next March, the corps will revisit Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" with the TSO, building the piece to its thrilling and triumphant climax in a roof-raising finale. Also featured at the performance will be 23-year-old critically-acclaimed violinist Karen Gomyo. The concert is presented as part of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra's Classic Series. Conductor Chelsea Tipton II will lead the corps and orchestra onstage, as well as a pre-concert commentary onstage at 7 p.m. No stranger to this unique artist combination, Tipton was overwhelmed by the reaction from the 2004 performance with the corps, describing the powerful presence that overtook the audience behind him as he conducted, while the Glassmen members filed down through the crowd during the finale of the piece. He influenced the corps members as well by diligently working with them in rehearsals leading up to the concert. The Glassmen have had a long history of embracing projects with local orchestras, including the Lima Symphony and Rochester Hills Symphony. The corps is also looking forward to their European Tour in the summer of 2006. Tickets are already on sale for the concert, and range from $21-$33. For more information about the March 24 and 25 concerts, stay tuned to www.glassmen.org, or visit the Toledo Symphony at www.toledosymphony.com.