“Glendale doesn’t realize how lucky it is to have such a gifted arranger who can bring out the best in so many musical styles and talents,” said our family’s best nonprofessional musician after December’s HolidayPop concert.
We are enjoying every Glendale Pops concert immensely, and hoping the community will quickly realize what a gem this orchestra is and pack the Alex for every show, including the next one, This is Romance, featuring guest artist Kenny Loggins, February 10. Here’s what our resident expert just sent out in an email:
“The Glendale Pops Orchestra performs at the Alex Theater next on February 10. Led by Matt Catingub, it is one of the finest orchestras in the nation. Matt’s arrangements are sparkling, and when he’s not conducting them he’s singing a solo or taking a big saxophone cadenza. Top-notch guest musicians, like jazz pianist David Benoit, are featured at every concert. Matt handpicks the top studio musicians in LA for the orchestra (one standout is trumpeter Wayne Bergeron, whose stratospheric high notes soar over the band).
Go to the Glendale Pops Orchestra concert on February 10 at the Alex Theatre. You won’t be disappointed. I hope you give them the support I know they deserve.”
I received this email the same day Glendale and other cities in California confronted the news reported in the Glendale News-Press: “the state could try to pry away about nine properties the redevelopment agency transferred to the city, including the Alex Theatre. If the state got a hold of them, city officials fear quick liquidation.”
Glendale Arts manages The Alex Theatre, and the Glendale Pops Orchestra. In addition to Matt Catingub and his stellar musicians, it brings other top-rated orchestras, shows, and international groups to the Alex regularly. It supports local and aspiring artists and talent and partners with our school district, the entertainment industry, and other nonprofits and community leaders to support worthy causes.
Glendale Arts General Manager Elissa Glickman writes on her Facebook page: “If the state of California does choose to take and sell the Alex Theatre, it would not only impact the hundreds of downtown restaurants and businesses who rely on the Alex’s 150,000+ patrons to increase sales, but also our more than 30 full and part time employees and the hundreds of non-profit community, education and arts organizations that perform at the Theatre every year.”
Support our local arts organization and its stewardship of the Alex Theatre: speak out, write legislators, and fill theatre seats to keep excellent arts programming and resources in Glendale.
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