A Magical, Musical, Classical Christmas
The Cleveland Orchestra Christmas Concerts are a tradition for Cleveland families, couples and anyone who wants to get into the holiday spirit. Every year the always-gorgeous Severance Hall is decked for the season with beautiful lights and a little extra Holiday cheer from the building's glowing profile on Euclid Avenue to the smiles of the volunteer ushers. The stars on the top of the tree are the world-class Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus along with guest singers from the Blossom Festival Chorus, the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus and Cleveland State University's Chorale. From tender renditions of American carols to the Orchestra's rowdy, yet beautifully refined Sleighride, the evening has become a very important part of many Cool Clevelander's holiday celebrations. Speaking of stars, the director for the evening, Bob Porco, director of choruses for The Cleveland Orchestra, shines brightly on stage and in the rehearsal room. Porco prepares the combined choruses for each performance behind the scenes, then steps into the spotlight to conduct and narrate these festive concerts. With delightful anecdotes and poignant tales, Porco reminds the audience of the beautiful sentiments behind songs that can sometimes lose their meaning as they play in endless repeat. He casts a new light on old favorites and introduces a few new and unfamiliar pieces to accompany this season of light and family. CoolCleveland correspondent Julie Cajigas caught up with Mr. Porco and took this opportunity to get his perspective on the magic and the music.
Cool Cleveland: What makes the annual Cleveland Orchestra Christmas Concerts such a special, long-lasting tradition in Cleveland?
Bob Porco: People love traditions, and musical traditions are very important at Christmas. Most people grow up with carols and if they happen to go to church, they hear a lot of special music there and popular culture is full of songs and standards that play during the holiday season. Everyone brings their own holiday memories to the concert and all those things are ignited as they hear those familiar melodies. And there is a wonderful opportunity here in Cleveland to hear the music done by a world-class orchestra and chorus, in a very special venue like Severance Hall. I’ve heard of people driving from out of state to attend these concerts; they bring their children, then their teens, then their grandchildren – it becomes a family tradition.
What about someone who has never been to a Cleveland Orchestra Christmas Concert, what are they missing and what can they expect to see?
BP: We always try to mix the classical, traditional and popular aspects of holiday music together and provide a show that truly has something for everyone. This year, classical music fans can enjoy the dream sequence from Humperdinck’s Opera Hansel and Gretel while those who enjoy traditional carols can listen to old carols reinterpreted and join the choruses for the carol sing along. We include a number of favorites and sprinkle in some new music or a fresh arrangement of a popular song to keep the experience exciting, memorable and fun.
Any humorous moments from concerts past or present we should know about?
BP: Most of the humorous moments in the program come during our famous (or infamous) annual performance of the 12 Days of Christmas. Chorus members with microphones roam the aisles looking for brave audience members to sing solos on the “five gold rings” for each of the 12 days. It’s not necessarily humorous, but about three years ago a gentleman sang “one gold ring,” and before we knew it he was down on one knee, proposing to his sweetheart. The place went crazy; it was like the cheering at a rock concert.
What is your favorite part of preparing and directing these concerts?
BP: I enjoy getting the audience involved! They come to hear the music, but I think it’s interesting to turn around and talk to the audience. I like to watch their faces and try to get them engaged. It’s always a pleasure to direct the audience during the sing along.
Tell us a little bit about Bob Porco; what first interested you in conducting? What should we know that's not in your bio in the program?
BP: I have been taken with music as long as I can remember. What first inspired me was hearing local dance bands playing at weddings when I was four or five years old. One thing you won’t see in my bio is that my first instrument was an accordion! I started playing when I was five years old, and I still play today.
From the accordion to Director of Choruses for the world-class Cleveland Orchestra, seems like quite a journey!
BP: Music was always my major interest, but in a “pop culture” kind of way. When my father wanted me to go to college, music was the only thing I really loved. Even though I hadn’t been exposed to much classical music up until that point, I earned three degrees from Ohio State University in Music Education, Music History and Music Theory. I moved on to the University of North Carolina for my graduate work in Musicology and fate stepped in. The person who conducted the men’s glee club was on sabbatical and someone saw that I had been in the men’s glee club at Ohio State. With just one undergraduate conducting class, I was thrown into the world of choral preparation and conducting and the rest, as they say, is history.
There are several different choral groups involved in this concert - can you tell us a bit about them?
BP: We have a big choral family and if I’m counting right, it’s more than 350 singers. Our family consists of the Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Chorus, directed by Anne Usher, the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus, directed by Frank Bianchi, The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and the Blossom Festival Chorus, both under my direction. The Children’s Choir will be joining us for three of our matinees and a select group from the Youth Chorus will join us for several of the concerts. Members of the Blossom Festival Chorus, our summertime chorus, are also invited to join in the holiday fun. Finally, the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, a volunteer auditioned group of 140 singers is the core group for each of the Christmas concerts. In addition to our choruses, the 20-30 members of the Cleveland State University Chorale will be joining us for two of the concerts.
Wow, that's a lot of dedicated singers! What's it like preparing so many singers for a concert?
BP: It’s great fun. When there’s an infusion of so much new talent it’s very exciting. The contribution of these singers is very remarkable. The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus alone commits to 60-70 rehearsals and concerts per year. Some of the members drive more than an hour to attend rehearsals. The group is made up of singers from all walks of life, from college students with just a few years of service to members who have been with the group more than 30 years. One of our members has been with us for over 50 years! And that’s just one of the dedicated groups of singers that participate in these concerts…
We heard some rumors about you autographing copies of Cleveland Orchestra Christmas Concert CD's after the show - where can we get ours? Is the music from this year’s concert on the CD’s?
BP: I get asked that question a lot! About the music on the CDs, not the autographs (chuckles)… There are a few songs from this year’s concert that will appear on the CDs that are available along with pieces from past concerts. The CD’s are a collection of music compiled from the past three years of concerts. They will be sold by chorus members and their families before each concert, at intermission and afterwards. And yes, I will be signing autographs…
We have heard from reliable sources that you recently moved to Cleveland. What do you think is Cool in Cleveland?
BP: I love Cleveland for a lot of reasons. I love the orchestra and our chorus – that’s a couple of great reasons. I also love the diversity that Cleveland offers in so many different areas, particularly the ethnic diversity. I’m a first generation Italian and I was raised in an Italian-speaking home. I love the Italian neighborhoods near Little Italy and in Mayfield where I can go to a real Italian grocery store like the one I knew as a child. I’m speaking specifically of Galucci’s, which has been an important part of the community for so many years. Everything about it reminds me of my younger days. It’s a little bigger, but it has all the great salami’s and imported oils. I also love food and love to cook and eat and the fact that Cleveland has so many great, small, privately owned restaurants is a very important part of the city for me.
Finally, we just have to know, why do people always stand during the Hallelujah Chorus?
BP: Because King George the Second stood up during a performance of the piece and all the subjects had to rise with the King. I think it became something of an instant tradition. The funny part is, I’m not sure anyone knows his real motivation for standing. Maybe he was moved, or maybe he just needed to stretch his legs.
Learn more and get your tickets for the Cleveland Orchestra Christmas Concerts on 12/11, 12/12, 12/13, 12/18, 12/19, 12/20 and learn about other exciting holiday concerts and events at http://www.ClevelandOrchestra.com. For more information about the Cleveland Orchestra Family of Choruses, who will have a concert and fundraiser on 1/31/10, visit http://www.cochorus.com.
Julie Cajigas is a Cleveland girl who grew up on the East & West Side and now lives near Akron – she’s got the whole town covered! Cajigas holds degrees in Communication & Music from Cleveland State University and is currently pursuing her Masters in Communication at CSU. She is a professional freelance writer who occasionally writes in her blog in between gigs at http://www.inspiredfreelancer.com. Cajigas is also an avid musician and can be seen performing with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and as a violinist in the Allison Bencar band, http://www.myspace.com/allisonbencar.