Branford Marsalis & Thomas Wilkins Perform 'Beethoven 7' with Detroit Symphony Orchestra Dec. 2-4

[Saxophonist Branford Marsalis and Guest Conductor Thomas Wilkins]

On May 22, 2011 AfriClassical posted: “Thomas Wilkins Conducts Saxophonist Branford Marsalis and Detroit Symphony Orchestra Dec. 2-4.” The performances we have been eagerly anticipating begin tomorrow:

Detroit Symphony Orchestra

“DSO Welcomes Saxophone Sensation Branford Marsalis

Detroit, (November 22, 2011) –World-renowned saxophone sensation Branford Marsalis will join the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) this weekend during its performance of 'Beethoven 7,' with Thomas Wilkins conducting. The program includes Bartόk’s Rumanian Folk Dances, Glazunov’s Concerto for Saxophone and String Orchestra in E-flat, Schulhoff’s Hot-Sonate for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92. The performances will take place on Friday, Dec. 2 at 10:45 a.m.; Saturday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m.

“National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, renowned Grammy Award‐winning saxophonist and Tony Award nominee Branford Marsalis is one of the most revered instrumentalists of his time. Leader of one of the finest jazz quartets today, and a frequent soloist with classical ensembles, Branford has become increasingly sought after as a featured soloist with such acclaimed orchestras as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Düsseldorfer Symphoniker, North Carolina Symphony and the Boston Pops. His growing repertoire includes compositions by Copland, Debussy, Glazunov, Ibert, Mahler, Milhaud, Rorem and Vaughn Williams. After making his first appearance with the New York Philharmonic in the summer of 2010, Marsalis was again invited to join them as a soloist in their 2010‐2011 concert series where he unequivocally demonstrated his versatility and prowess, bringing what The New York Times called 'a gracious poise and supple tone…and an insouciant swagger' to the repertoire. Whether on the stage, in the recording studio, in the classroom or in the community, Branford Marsalis embodies a commitment to musical excellence and a determination to keep music at the forefront.

“In addition to his role as Music Director of the Omaha Symphony, a post he’s held since 2005, Thomas Wilkins is Principal Guest Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and holds the Germeshausen Family and Youth Concert Conductor chair with the Boston Symphony.”

'PACIFIC STANDARD TIME: The Hollywood Sound,' Thomas Wilkins Conducts LA Phil Dec. 8 & 9

[Maestro Thomas Wilkins]

Thursday, December 8, 2011, 8:00PM

Walt Disney Concert Hall

111 South Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90012

323.850.2000

Other Performances:

Friday, December 9, 2011, 8:00 PM (Casual Fridays 1)

Sunday, December 11, 2011, 2:00 PM (Sunday 1)

Artists:

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Thomas Wilkins, conductor

Program:

Korngold: Kings Row Fanfare

Korngold: Cello Concerto in C, Op. 37 from Deception

Friedhofer: Best Years of Our Lives Suite

North: A Streetcar Named Desire Suite

Herrmann: North by Northwest Overture

Mancini: Charade

Goldsmith: Planet of the Apes: The Hunt

Goldsmith: Chinatown Suite

Williams: Close Encounters of the Third Kind Suite

Additional Info:

One of L.A’s great contributions to the world is the film score, as you’ll hear in music by such giants as Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Bernard Herrmann, Alex North, Elmer Bernstein, Jerry Goldsmith and John Williams.

The Hollywood Sound is part of Pacific Standard Time. This unprecedented collaboration, initiated by the Getty, brings together more than sixty cultural institutions from across Southern California for six months beginning October 2011 to tell the story of the birth of the L.A. art scene.

DailyTrojan: 'world-renowned conductor Thomas Wilkins transforms the Hollywood Bowl into the City of Lights'

[Thomas Wilkins]

Daily Trojan

Haute Highlights

Posted September 14, 2011

“FIREWORKS FINALE

The Hollywood Bowl, one of Los Angeles’s most prestigious venues, is hosting a handful of events this weekend. Perhaps most enticing is Saturday’s 'A Night at the Moulin Rouge: A Magical Evening in Paris.' Join spectators from all over Los Angeles and watch as world-renowned conductor Thomas Wilkins transforms the Hollywood Bowl into the City of Lights.

“The otherworldly night will feature hits, such as 'An American in Paris' and other French-themed gems, played by the celebrated Hollywood Bowl Orchestra; jazzy cabaret pieces by special guest Paris Combo; enthralling dance numbers by special guests from the legendary Moulin Rouge; and dazzling fireworks sure to put a spectacular cap on a priceless night.”

HollywoodBowl.com

LaJollaPatch.com: Thomas Wilkins 'was eloquent with praise for the Salk and the San Diego Symphony.'

[Guest Conductor Thomas Wilkins with the San Diego Symphony (COURTESY Margo Schwab / LaJollaPatch.com)]

LaJollaPatch.com

"Salk Institute Synthesizes Science, Symphony and Singer Idina Menze"l

August 29, 2011

Margo Schwab

“The 16th Annual Symphony at Salk was held last night at the Salk Institute's courtyard in La Jolla.”

“After dinner, the sun set and the San Diego Symphony took the stage once again led by special guest conductor Thomas Wilkins. Wilkins, a favorite as the Principal Guest Conductor at the Hollywood Bowl, is not only eloquent with his conductor’s baton, but he was eloquent with praise for the Salk and the San Diego Symphony.

“Wilkins was joined on stage by Broadway singer Idina Menzel who is known for her starring role as the green faced witch in Wicked, the musical version of The Wizard of Oz, and for her guest role on the television hit series Glee.”

“Since 1960 the Salk Institute for Biological Studies has been a national leader for disease research primarily in AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, autism, cancer, diabetes, gene therapy, plant biology and vision.”

SignOnSanDiego.com: Thomas Wilkins conducts 'benefit show with the San Diego Symphony at the Salk Institute.'

[Thomas Wilkins]

SignOnSanDiego.com

Symphony tunes up for evening with Idina

Stage and screen star Menzel headlines Saturday's benefit for Salk

James Hebert

Written Aug. 24, 2011

“When he picked up the phone at his Omaha home on a recent weekday, conductor Thomas Wilkins was just going over the score for Saturday’s annual benefit show with the San Diego Symphony at the Salk Institute.

“But to learn more about the event’s special guest, Idina Menzel, Wilkins already had consulted a different in-house source: his twin teenage daughters. '(They) knew more about her than I did,' said Wilkins of the Idina-idolizing sisters, fans of 'Wicked' and 'Rent” and other highlights from the musical-theater superstar’s career. 'They’re “Gleeks,” too, for that matter,' he added, invoking the nickname for fans of the hugely popular, musical-mad Fox television series 'Glee.'

“The returning Wilkins is musical director of the Omaha Symphony, and also guest-conducts from Hollywood to Boston. He’ll preside over some 50 to 60 San Diego Symphony musicians, as Menzel — a Broadway icon for her turn as the green-hued witch Elphaba in 'Wicked' — performs a career-spanning selection of songs.

"To Wilkins, the purpose of the event — to boost the Salk’s research and educational programs — earns it a little extra fanfare (even if not all of Menzel’s fans can quite afford the fare). 'This is the 100th year of the San Diego Symphony,' he notes, '(and) the fact this great orchestra can have such a relationship with an institution that’s also involved with healing is pretty profound.'"

DETAILS

“Symphony at Salk: A Concert Under the Stars With Idina Menzel”

When: Champagne reception, 5:30 p.m. Saturday; dinner by Pamplemousse executive chef Jeffrey Strauss, 6:30 p.m.; followed by concert at 8 p.m.

Where: Salk Institute, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla

Tickets: $250 (sponsorships also available)

Phone: (858) 453-4100, ext. 1491

Online: salk.edu/events/symphony11

Examiner.com: 'Thomas Wilkins, the San Diego Symphony, and Evelyn Glennie all deserve high praise for their performance'

[Thomas Wilkins and Evelyn Glennie]

Evelyn Glennie conjures a spectacular performance with the San Diego Symphony

April 12th, 2011 12:12 pm PT

Matthew Shoaf

San Diego Performing Arts Examiner

“The San Diego Symphony yet again produced a spectacular program (April 10, 2011). The Symphony hosted two world renowned guests: conductor Thomas Wilkins and percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie. Glennie was on hand to showcase Conjurer: Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra. Written by John Corigliano, the work was originally commissioned for Glennie in 2008 and this was the first San Diego performance.

“The three movements of Conjurer are a separate vehicle for the different timbres of the percussion section: Wood, Metal, and Skin. Each movement begins with Glennie establishing the character of the movement with a solo cadenza before the orchestra enters supporting the percussion and developing the material.

“Corigliano explores the sonic palate of the percussion section in the able hands of Evelyn Glennie. The performance of Conjurer was mysterious and beautiful, providing an exciting exploration of sounds from the battery section of the orchestra. The movement Metal is especially intriguing; the play of tubular bells harmonics and soft low reverberations of the gongs at different sections were both entrancing. Thomas Wilkins, the San Diego Symphony, and Evelyn Glennie all deserve high praise for their performance.”

'Apr 1 / 12:17pm Omaha Symphony | Thomas Wilkins' by minorwhite studios, inc.

[Thomas Wilkins]

MWStudios.posterous.com

“minorwhite studios is a collective of innovative image makers who produce original image content that can inspire, suggest, and challenge.”

Thomas Wilkins Bio

“Thomas Wilkins is Music Director of the Omaha Symphony, a position he has held since 2005. Additionally he is Principal Guest Conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and holds the Germeshausen Family and Youth Concert Conductor chair with the Boston Symphony. Past positions have included Resident Conductor of the Detroit Symphony as well as the Florida Orchestra (Tampa Bay) and Associate Conductor of the Richmond Symphony (Virginia). He served on the music faculties of North Park University (Chicago), the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga and Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.”

Omaha.com: “'when so many orchestras are struggling to survive, we’re thriving,' said Thomas Wilkins, its music director.”

[Thomas Wilkins]

Omaha World-Herald

Omaha.com

Published Thursday March 3, 2011

A sound ensemble

By Christopher Burbach

WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

“At a time when simply surviving could be cause for a symphony orchestra to celebrate, Omaha Symphony leaders say the orchestra is fit as a fiddle heading into its 90th anniversary celebration this weekend. 'Quite frankly, in this day and age, when so many orchestras are struggling to survive, we’re thriving,' said Thomas Wilkins, its music director.

“The group will observe its anniversary by performing concerts, featuring Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, at 8 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Holland Performing Arts Center downtown. A black-tie gala, including a concert by the orchestra and a tribute to longtime symphony supporter and concert hall namesake Richard Holland, will be Saturday at Joslyn Art Museum. Why celebrate at 90? 'It’s one of those even numbers,' Wilkins said. 'When people have their 90th birthday, it’s a big deal.'”

“The Omaha Symphony has felt some pain — some cutbacks, but no layoffs — from the recession that hammered arts organizations’ endowments and the investment holdings of many prospective donors. What’s different in Omaha, symphony leaders said, is that the local economy didn’t fall as far, the symphony has a fantastic new home in the Holland Center and local philanthropists and business leaders consistently prioritize supporting the arts.”

Fox59.com: 'Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will be celebrating Black History Month Tuesday night, with a free concert.'

[Thomas Wilkins]

Maestro Thomas Wilkins is Music Director of the Omaha Symphony and is a frequent Guest Conductor for orchestras around the county.

Fox59.com

ISO hosting free 'Celebration of Black History' concert

By News Staff Fox59

“Indianapolis — The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra will be celebrating Black History Month Tuesday night, with a free concert. Fox59 News listened in Tuesday afternoon during a final dress rehearsal at the Hilbert Circle Theatre.

“Tuesday night's performance includes guest conductor Thomas Wilkins and the 'Voices of the Light' choir. The 'Celebration of Black History' concert is an annual event for the ISO. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. The concert honors the significant impact of African-American music and musicians on the cultural life of Indianapolis and the nation.”

LATimesBlogs: Thomas Wilkins conducts Los Angeles Philharmonic in 'The Hollywood Sound' Dec. 8 & 11, 2011

[Thomas Wilkins]

Thomas Wilkins is Music Director of the Omaha Symphony
and is a frequent Guest Conductor:

LATimes.blogs

Los Angeles Philharmonic

Dec. 8, 8 p.m.

Dec. 11, 2 p.m.

Pacific Standard Time:
The Hollywood Sound

Thomas Wilkins, conductor

Program to include music by
Erich Wolfgang Korngold,
Bernard Herrmann,
Alex North,
Elmer Bernstein,
Jerry Goldsmith
and
John Williams.

Letter to Omaha World Herald: 'Conductor Thomas Wilkins interacted brilliantly with the audience' of Youths at 'Wild about Nature'

[Conductor Thomas Wilkins and Nature Photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen, Jan. 16, 2011]

Mangelsen.com

Mangelsen Images of Nature Gallery

Letter to the Editor of The Omaha World Herald

Published Jan. 19, 2011

Written by Lisa Van Stratten

Fort Calhoun, Nebraska

“Symphony has impact on youth

I attended the 'Wild About Nature' performance by the Omaha Symphony at the Holland Performing Arts Center on Jan. 16 with my 12-year-old son and 12- and 9-year-old nieces. Thomas D. Mangelsen's photography was featured on a giant screen over the musicians for everyone to enjoy during the performance. Conductor Thomas Wilkins interacted brilliantly with the audience, which was filled with enthusiastic youth. He described how the music was composed to help us imagine what the composer was thinking. The event changed the imagination of the three children I brought with me that day.”

Thomas Wilkins Conducts Indianapolis Symphony in 'Celebration of Black History,' Feb. 8, 7:30 PM

[Conductor Thomas Wilkins]

Maestro Thomas Wilkins is
Music Director of the Omaha Symphony
and is also in demand as a Guest Conductor.
He will lead the Indianapolis Symphony
Orchestra in "Celebration of Black History":

Celebration of Black History

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Thomas Wilkins, Conductor

Charlotte Blake Alston, Narrator

Voices of the Light, Chorus

Hilbert Circle Theatre

Tuesday, February 8, 2011, 7:30 pm

Free Concert!

Thomas Wilkins joins the ISO and special guests for our annual Celebration of Black History, a concert that honors the significant impact of African-American music and musicians on the cultural life of Indianapolis and the nation.

Leo Adam Biga: 'Omaha Symphony Maestro Thomas Wilkins and His Ever-Seeking Musical Journey'

©by Leo Adam Biga

Published in The Reader (http://www.thereader.com)

“Omaha Symphony Orchestra music director Thomas Wilkins was first inspired to be a conductor at age 8 during a Virginia Symphony Orchestra pops performance in his hometown of Norfolk (Va.). Right from the opening rendition of 'The Star Spangled Banner' he was mesmerized by how the conductor shaped the music. 'I came home that day and I don’t know who I said it to, maybe to my mother, but certainly to myself, and certainly during the concert: “That’s what I want to do when I grow up.” It’s interesting that that was before I had really started an instrument.'

“Raised by a single mom on welfare in the projects of the Jim Crow South, the concert marked Wilkins’ introduction to something outside the gospel, blues and jazz he was steeped in. His mother played organ at storefront black churches. Black music filled the air where he lived. Even though classical music spoke to him at some inner core level, he remained immersed in his roots. He jammed with cats, black and white, from different musical strains. Some, like the Wooten brothers, went on to make their marks in the business just as he did.

“We all grew up together and hung out together. Many of my friends were not involved in classical music but they were still serious musicians. I was blessed with a little bit of talent as a young kid and so those players tend to gravitate towards each other,” he says. “We would share music on the weekends with each other. I would play for them Tchaikovsky and they would play for me Miles Davis, so all of our worlds were being expanded together.”

For Wilkins, classical music became a gateway to a new life, opening unimagined vistas, such as completing graduate studies at the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) in Boston, Mass. Today, he’s one of perhaps 10 African-American conductors of major orchestras in the country. In addition to his Omaha post, he’s principal guest conductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. High in demand as a guest conductor, he’s led the Dallas Symphony, the Houston Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Boston Symphony, the National Symphony (D.C.) and the Atlanta Symphony.”

Thomas Wilkins Premieres 'Trail of Tears' by Michael Daugherty in Omaha, March 26

[Conductor Thomas Wilkins]

Maestro Thomas Wilkins will conduct the Omaha Symphony in its world premiere performance of Trail of Tears, a work for flute and chamber orchestra by the popular contemporary composer Michael Daugherty, on March 26, 2010 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Lawrence B. Johnson writes in The Los Angeles Times on Jan. 31, 2010:

"Imagine a postmodern Aaron Copland or Charles Ives with a pop cultural twist, and you're primed for the music of Michael Daugherty. A composer of his time and birthright, Daugherty is a Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native and the musical embodiment of Americana. His canvas reflects a 20th century cultural mosaic dotted by the likes of Elvis and Superman and Jackie Onassis. At age 55, Daugherty is also the exuberant master of his craft, an artist whose sophistication and compelling appeal can seem utterly at odds with the often kitschy titles of his works."

Boosey & Hawkes

"Commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Delaware Symphony Orchestra, and Omaha Symphony, Trail of Tears is divided into three movements totaling 22 minutes: I. where the wind blew free, II. incantation, and III. sun dance. Says Michael Daugherty: 'One of the tragedies of human history is the forced removal of peoples from their homeland for political, economic, racial, religious, or cultural reasons. My flute concerto is a musical journey into how the human spirit discovers ways to deal with upheaval, adversity and adapting to a new environment.'"

Thomas Wilkins Conducts Works of Still & Ellington in 'Tribute to greatness' in Philadelphia

[Conductor Thomas Wilkins (Ken Hively, Los Angeles Times / June 20, 2008)]

On Sept. 10, 2009 AfriClassical posted: “Los Angeles Times: 'Hollywood Bowl's Thomas Wilkins a classical case of beating the odds'” and today we present details of a Martin Luther King Day concert he is conducting in Philadelphia:

Philly.com
Tribute to greatness
The Philadelphia Orchestra marks the 81st birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Thomas Wilkins conducting works by John Williams, William Grant Still, Samuel Barber, Duke Ellington, Morton Gould, Andrea Clearfield, and John Rosamund Johnson, with guests Charlotte Blake Alston, narrator, and the Philadelphia All City Choir. The 20th annual orchestral celebration takes place at 3 p.m. at Martin Luther King High School, 6100 Stenton Ave. Admission is free; tickets required. Call 215-276-3934. [Duke Ellington and William Grant Still are profiled at AfriClassical.com]

Thomas Wilkins Leads Philadelphia Orchestra in Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute Concert

Monday, January 21, 2008, 7:00 pm - FREE!
Martin Luther King High School
6100 Stenton Ave, Philadelphia, PA

THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA
THOMAS WILKINS conductor
CHARLOTTE BLAKE ALSTON speaker
PHILADELPHIA ALL-CITY CHOIR
Dorina Morrow director

The musicians of The Philadelphia Orchestra are graciously donating their services for this concert.

Celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with this free community concert. Guest Conductor Thomas Wilkins leads the Orchestra, joined by the Philadelphia All-City Chorus. Combining the traditions of African-American culture and Western classical music, the concert pays tribute to Dr. King’s religious beliefs, his vision of a society free of prejudice and racial divisions, and his belief in the power of music to effect change.

Thomas Wilkins & Detroit Symphony Orchestra Perform “Exegisis” by Augustus Hill

Classical Roots Celebration VIII will take place Saturday, February 23, 6:00 p.m. with Denyce Graves, mezzo-soprano, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra led by its Resident Conductor, Thomas Wilkins.

Since 1978, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s annual Classical Roots Concert has been a celebration of African-contributions to classical music and a proud partnership with Detroit’s own Brazeal Dennard Chorale. The Celebration also honors select African-American composers, musicians and educators for lifetime achievement, with proceeds supporting the DSO’s African-American music and musician development programs.

This year, joining DSO Resident Conductor and crowd favorite, Thomas Wilkins, for the Classical Roots Celebration VIII concerts is acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Denyce Graves. The program will feature Exegisis, a work by African-American composer Augustus Hill, Berlioz’s Cleopatra and Detroit’s own Brazeal Dennard Chorale.

For more information, please call 313-576-5072 or e-mail cdodd@dso.org