OSBA, Utah Symphony to salute USA with “Patriotic Pops” at Snowbasin Ski Resort
Ogden, Utah — On June 30 at 8 p.m., the Ogden Symphony Ballet Association will host the Utah Symphony at Snowbasin Ski Resort for their fifth annual performance of “Patriotic Pops,” a program dedicated to honoring and celebrating the United States of America. Back-dropped by beautiful Mount Ogden, “Patriotic Pops” will feature soloist Lisa Vroman and conductor Jerry Steichen.
From Broadway to opera, Vroman has established herself as one of America's most versatile voices. The San Francisco Chronicle praised Vroman as “a musical and theatrical marvel.” Broadway producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh acclaimed Vroman as “one of American Musical Theater’s most beautiful voices.” Vroman’s extensive resume includes Christine Daaé in “The Phantom of the Opera,” Rosalinda in “Die Fledermaus,” and both Fantine and Cosette in “Les Miserables.”
Beloved conductor Jerry Steichen will also take the stage on June 30. From 2010 through 2015, Steichen was the Principle Pops Conductor for the Utah Symphony. During that time, Steichen delighted thousands of Utahans with his charm and expertise.
This concert will also feature a special performance of Aaron Copland’s “Lincoln Portrait,” narrated by Pastor France Davis of Salt Lake City’s Calvary Baptist Church. The “Lincoln Portrait” features excerpts from some of Abraham Lincoln’s most famous works, including the Gettysburg Address.
Attendees will also have the chance to try out different instruments at the Riverton Music Instrument Petting Zoo. This family-friendly activity will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Tickets for “Patriotic Pops” are available online at symphonyballet.org, over the phone at 801-399-9214 or at OSBA’s box office at 628 East 26th Street, Ogden. VIP tickets are $45 (seats provided); General Admission tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. All prices will increase on the day of the performance (to $55, $30, and $10 respectively). Patrons sitting in the General Admission section will need to provide their own blankets or low chairs to sit on. Gates will open at 6 p.m.
Gerald Steichen, Conductor
With a career that ranges from symphony to opera, Broadway to chamber music, Maestro Gerald Steichen has established himself as one of America’s most versatile conductors.
Steichen is a frequent guest conductor for the Boston Pops and the New Jersey Symphony, and has appeared with symphonies across the country. International appearances include the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo City Symphony, the NDR Philharmonie Hannover at the Brauschweig Festival, and numerous appearances with the Norwegian Radio Symphony.
During ten seasons with the New York City Opera, Steichen led performances including La Boheme, L’elisir d’amore, The Pirates of Penzance, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella and many others. In 2007, he led the New York City Opera Orchestra and soloists in a live WQXR broadcast of Wall to Wall Opera from New York’s Symphony Space. A gifted pianist, he performed on stage for the New York City Opera’s acclaimed productions of Porgy and Bess and Carmina Burana.
Steichen toured nationally as the associate conductor of The Phantom of the Opera, The Secret Garden, and Peter Pan and conducted Cats in New York for two years. He has also appeared on Broadway, portraying Manny, the Accompanist in the Tony Award-winning Master Class.
Originally from Tonkawa, Oklahoma, Maestro Steichen holds degrees from Northern Oklahoma College, Oklahoma City University and the University of Southern California. He currently resides in New York City.
Lisa Vroman, Vocalist
From Broadway to classics, onstage and in concert, Lisa Vroman has established herself as one of America’s most versatile voices. She starred on Broadway, Los Angeles and San Francisco as Christine Daae in The Phantom of the Opera, and garnered theatre critics’ awards for her portrayal. Lisa starred as Marian Paroo in The Music Man (with Shirley Jones, Patrick Cassidy and the Hartford Symphony), Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus (NJ Opera), and Rosabella in The Most Happy Fella (New York City Opera). She played Laurey in Oklahoma (BBC PROMS festival), Mary Turner in Of Thee I Sing (San Francisco Symphony with Michael Tilson Thomas), Anna Leonowens in The King and I and sang and danced opposite Dick Van Dyke as Mary Poppins at the Hollywood Bowl (Disney 75th).
Lisa is a frequent guest with symphonies including Philadelphia, Dallas, Utah, St. Louis, Houston, Pacific, Atlanta, Hong Kong, Cleveland, National, Florida, BBC Concert Orchestra, Boston Pops, Philly Pops, New York Pops, as well as with the New York Festival of Song (NYFOS) and Organist David Higgs (Disney Hall, Los Angeles). Her Broadway debut was in Aspects of Love and she was the first to play both Fantine and Cosette in Les Miserables.
Lisa is a graduate of the Crane School of Music, State University at Potsdam (BM, Hon. Dr. of Music, Minerva Award), Carnegie-Mellon University (MFA), and is a George London Competition winner.
Recent performances have included a tour of China, a concert series with L’Opera de Rennes in France, and playing the role of Maria Callas in Terence McNally’s award-winning play, Master Class.
Rev. France A. Davis, Narrator
The Rev. France A. Davis was born and reared in Gough, Georgia to John H. and Julia Davis. After high school, he attended Tuskegee Institute and later became an Air Force jet mechanic. He earned degrees from many universities across the country, including University of California at Berkeley, University of Utah, and Northwest Nazarene College.
He came to Salt Lake City in 1972 as a teaching fellow and graduate student. He was appointed instructor in communication and ethnic studies courses, earning a distinguished teacher award. Pastor Davis retired July 1, 2014 from the University of Utah as Adjunct Associate Professor Emeritus.
He was licensed in 1966 and ordained in 1971 for ministry. Since 1974, Rev. Davis is the full-time pastor of the historic Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of Salt Lake City, Utah. In April 2016, Rev. Davis reached 50 years in the ministry.
