“As Toshiyuki ‘Toshi’ Shimada prepares to start his 10th season as music director/conductor of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, he can’t help but look at the past decade fondly,” writes Rick Koster in Thursday’s (10/24) The Day (New London, CT). “But he’s also genuinely excited about the organization’s future. ‘These musicians are all devoted and proud of being in a professional orchestra together, playing at the highest level,’ he says…. Caleb Bailey, the ECSO’s executive director, says, ‘Working with Toshi is a joyful experience for all of us….’ The carefully and creatively orchestrated … programming for the ECSO’s 2019-20, which starts Saturday [includes standard repertoire and] works by contemporary composers, music from film scores and video games, and even arrangements of material by jazz artist Artie Shaw and rock band Queen…. Shimada says it was particularly fun putting together the 2019-20 concerts…. In Saturday’s program, for example, the orchestra will play a piece by University of Connecticut faculty member Kenneth Fuchs… As part of the Nov. 23 concert, the late New London composer Charles Frink’s work John Henry is on the bill…. The New London Big Band will join the ECSO onstage for the Feb. 1 ‘All-American Artistry’ program.”
Posted October 29, 2019
