Winston-Salem Symphony Celebrates “The Music of Led Zeppelin”

Michael Shotton

"WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Rock out to the music of legendary band, Led Zeppelin, considered one of the most successful, innovative, and influential rock groups in history, with the Winston-Salem Symphony at its Plugged-In Pops! concert, “The Music of Led Zeppelin,” on Saturday, April 18, 2015.  The performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Reynolds Auditorium, 301 N. Hawthorne Road in Winston-Salem. Tickets range from $20– $67 and are available in advance by calling the Symphony Box Office at 336-464-0145 or online at WSsymphony.org.

Assistant Conductor Stephen Mulligan will conduct the Symphony and guest artists from the Jeans ’n Classics band for Zeppelin hit after hit including, but not limited to, All of My Love, The Ocean, When The Levee Breaks/Black Dog, The Rain Song, Kashmir, and of course Stairway to Heaven.

While definitely not a tribute act, Jeans ’n Classics faithfully interprets the music of legendary rock and pop albums and artists, with their own special and signature flair. Jeans ’n Classics members performing with the Winston-Salem Symphony for “The Music of Led Zeppelin” are: Michael Shotton, lead vocals; Dave Dunlop, guitar; Donald Paulton, keyboards; Mitchell Tyler, bass; and Jeff Christmas, drums.

Born in Newcastle, England, Michael Shotton (lead vocals) loved music from the moment he discovered The Beatles. Beginning at the age of three, Shotton began performing and accumulated years of experience playing drums and singing in countless original, top-40 and specialty tribute acts.

Dave Dunlop (guitar) has been a pro guitarist/ songwriter/singer/educator for the past 25 years. Currently, Dunlop balances his studio work while touring as a member of the award-winning Strung-Out Troubadours, the Rik Emmett Band, the Alan Frew Trio and Jeans ’n Classics.

Donald Paulton (keyboards) has been performing with the Jeans ’n Classics band for 17 seasons. He has worked with five Juno award-winners and has performed with such acts as Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin, The Byrds, Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits), Del Shannon, Ben E. King, Leslie Gore, and the Platters.

Mitchell Tyler (bass) is an Honors Bachelor of Music (Theory and Composition) and Bachelor of Education graduate of the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada and has been a professional musician since 1987. As a freelance electric and upright bassist, conductor, and music educator, he has done everything from theater, concert, and symphony work to session, club, and corporate engagements.

Jeff Christmas (drums) is a Canadian-based composer, arranger, conductor, drummer, percussionist, and trumpeter. He studied at York University, Toronto, Canada; the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada; and Berklee College of Music, Boston, where he majored in Film Scoring and Composition.

For full artist biographies, please visit WSsymphony.org.

This concert and the Winston-Salem Symphony are sponsored by Season Presenting Sponsor Wells Fargo; Plugged-in Pops Presenting Sponsor BlueCross and BlueShield of North Carolina, Concert Sponsor Novant Health, Guest Artist Sponsor Total Computer Solutions, as well as the Arts Council of Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County and the North Carolina Arts Council.

About the Winston-Salem Symphony

The Winston-Salem Symphony, now performing its 68^th season, is one of the Southeast’s most highly regarded regional orchestras. This season also marks Maestro Robert Moody’s 10^th Anniversary with the Symphony. Under the baton of Music Director Moody, its performance season includes a classics series, a pops series, concerts for kids, annual  performances of Handel’s Messiah, a concert featuring Winston-Salem Symphony and Youth Symphony musicians, holiday concerts, three youth orchestra ensembles, and a multitude of educational and community engagement programs.  For more information visit WSsymphony.org"

- A Press Release

Join the Winston-Salem Symphony for the Discovery Concert for Kids Get Up and Groove!

"WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Winston-Salem Symphony is presenting a Discovery Concert for Kids on Sunday, March 22, 2015 at 3 p.m. featuring the dynamic organ/drum duo, the Sugar Free Allstars. The concert, entitled “Get Up and Groove!,” will take place at Reynolds Auditorium at 301 N. Hawthorne Road in Winston-Salem.

Stephen Mulligan, Assistant Conductor of the Winston-Salem Symphony, will conduct the symphony and the Sugar Free Allstars, the purveyors of Family Funk, in a program of rollicking, funky, and fun songs. The Sugar Free Allstars’ All About Bullies Big and Small won the 2012 Grammy for Best Children’s Album. Songs that will be performed at “Get Up and Groove!” include Banana Pudding, 6^th Grade Band, Disco Dance, Gotta Get Up, Teddy, and Train Beat. “This concert is sure to be great fun for our young audience,” said Maestro Mulligan.

Attendees at “Get Up and Groove!” may donate a new Teddy Bear, with tags still on it, to Wake Forest Baptist Health Brenner Children’s Hospital. Donated bears are given to children who are patients at Brenner Children’s Hospital and could use a bear to brighten their day.

As always, the doors will open at 2 p.m., an hour before performance time, for a variety of child-friendly pre-concert events including the chance to vote for a name for the new Discovery Series Mascot. Guests will have the opportunity to take part in a rock star puppet craft activity, enjoy a model train activity, take part in a drum circle, and more! As always, they also will be able to hold, play, and learn about instruments at an instrument petting zoo. Pre-concert activities are included in the price of the concert ticket. Discovery Concert for Kids pre-concert activities partners include Wake Forest Baptist Health Brenner Children’s Hospital, the Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem, the Forsyth County Board of Elections, Piedmont Triad Model Railroaders Club, and Tam Tam Mandingue.

Single tickets for “Get Up and Groove!” are $7 for children, ages three to 12 (age two and under, free) and $18 for adults.  Tickets can be purchased by calling the Symphony Box Office at 336.464.0145 or online at WSsymphony.org. 

This concert and the Winston-Salem Symphony are sponsored by Discovery Concerts for Kids Presenting Sponsor Wake Forest Baptist Health Brenner Children’s Hospital and Discovery Concerts for Kids Founder Jeanne Hill, as well as by the Arts Council of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County and the North Carolina Arts Council.

About the Sugar Free Allstars
Chris “Boom!” Wiser (Hammond B-3 organ, lead vocals, saxophone) and Rob “Dr. Rock” Martin (drums, backing vocals) make up the dynamic duo of Sugar Free Allstars. With their diverse musical influences and unusual instrumentation, this funky organ/drum duo from Oklahoma City can be hard to classify. The music blends New Orleans funk, Memphis soul and Hammond organ-drenched gospel, wrapped in a colorful rock and roll package. Add to the mix a touch of pop songwriting sensibilities, humor, and a high-energy live show and you’ve got the Sugar Free Allstars. “We try to provide a good mix of humor and a tight performance,” explains Wiser. “Even in our kids’ shows, it’s meant to be a rock and roll party for all ages.”

Over the past five years the band has released three family-music albums, the most recent being 2012’s All On A Sunday Afternoon. This album, along with 2010’s Funky Fresh and Sugar Free and 2007’s Dos Ninos, has helped solidify Sugar Free Allstars’ place in the children’s music scene as purveyors of Family Funk. They have also garnered national critical acclaim and accolades such as mentions in Time, People and Parents magazines, starred reviews in School Library Journal, two #1 hits on SiriusXM’s Kid’s Place Live, a National Parenting Publication Awards (NAPPA) Gold Award, airplay on the #1 NPR show Car Talk, and inclusion of a song on the anti-bullying compilation All About Bullies Big and Small, which won the 2012 Grammy for Best Children's Album.

About the Winston-Salem Symphony

The Winston-Salem Symphony, now performing its 68^th season, is one of the Southeast’s most highly regarded regional orchestras. This season also marks Maestro Robert Moody’s 10^th Anniversary with the Symphony. Under the baton of Music Director Moody, its performance season includes a classics series, a pops series, concerts for kids, annual  performances of Handel’s Messiah, a concert featuring Winston-Salem Symphony and Youth Symphony musicians, holiday concerts, three youth orchestra ensembles, and a multitude of educational and community engagement programs.  For more information visit WSsymphony.org"

- A Press Release

Winston-Salem Symphony Appoints Maya Robinson as Chief Development Officer

MAYA ROBINSON

"WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (OCTOBER 1, 2014) – E. Merritt Vale, President and CEO of the Winston-Salem Symphony, announced today the appointment of Maya Robinson to the positon of Chief Development Officer, effective October 13, 2014. As a member of the senior leadership team, Robinson will be responsible for the Winston-Salem Symphony’s overall fundraising initiatives, which include annual fundraising, major and capital gifts, corporate sponsorships, and special initiatives. 

Prior to joining the Symphony, Robinson served as Major Contributions Manager for the Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The Woodruff is the largest arts center in the Southeast and the fourth largest in the country. She served as a senior member of the Alliance’s Development team since 2011. Under Robinson’s leadership and during her tenure, the Alliance achieved record-breaking contributed revenue goals. Prior to her position at the Alliance Theatre, Robinson established herself as a fundraiser at the Woodruff Arts Center in 2007 where she served as a Leadership Gifts Officer for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) heading up the ASO’s premier giving club, The Patron Partnership.  In this role she collaborated with volunteers, staff, and musicians across the institution as part of a $6 million annual fund campaign.

The Winston-Salem Symphony’s Chief Development Officer search committee was composed of board members Elms Allen, Steve Karr (Board Chair-elect), Michael Rogers (Immediate Past Board Chair & Fundraising Task Force Co-Chair), Matt York (Fundraising Task Force Co-Chair), and Winston-Salem Symphony President and CEO, Merritt Vale.

“Maya is a top-notch addition to our senior management team,” said Merritt Vale. “Not only does she have knowledge of symphonic music, she has a proven track record of leading orchestral fundraising efforts and community engagement. I am confident Maya is the right person to help the Winston-Salem Symphony achieve its contributed revenue goals and foster community building.”

“I am delighted Maya has accepted the position of Chief Development Officer,” said Robert Moody, Music Director for the Winston-Salem Symphony. “She has a genuine appreciation for the orchestra, and I am confident that with her enthusiasm and leadership, we will continue to deepen our connection within the community.”

Robinson’s 14-year career has been dedicated to arts and education. A Georgia native, Robinson earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Valdosta State University. Upon graduation, she was awarded the Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., and subsequently joined the staff, assisting with grants, fundraising, and managing a donor membership program. At Second Stage Theatre in New York City, Robinson assisted with grants and fundraising events. Robinson also worked at the American University in Washington, D.C., managing alumni and major gift prospect events for the university’s School of Communication. Her service to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Alliance Theatre distinguished her as a collaborative, accomplished, and successful fund development leader.

Joia Johnson, the Winston-Salem Symphony’s Board Chair said, “We were very impressed with Maya’s passion and dedication to the arts, as well as her fundraising abilities and accomplishments.  She will play a pivotal role in helping the Winston-Salem Symphony achieve its long-term goals.”

"I am thrilled to be joining the leadership team of the Winston-Salem Symphony,” said Maya Robinson. “I look forward to working with the staff, board, Robert Moody, Symphony musicians, patrons, supporters, and the community-at-large to continue securing the future of this vibrant orchestra.”

About the Winston-Salem Symphony

The Winston-Salem Symphony began its 68^th season in September 2014 as one of the Southeast’s most highly regarded regional orchestras. This season also marks Maestro Robert Moody’s 10^th Anniversary with the Symphony. Under the baton of Music Director Moody, its performance season includes a classics series, a pops series, concerts for kids, annual  performances of Handel’s Messiah, a concert featuring Winston-Salem Symphony and Youth Symphony musicians, holiday concerts, three youth orchestra ensembles, and a multitude of educational and community engagement programs.  For more information visit WSsymphony.org"

- A Press Release

The Winston-Salem Symphony Names New Artistic Operations Director

JAMES TRAVIS CREED

"The Winston-Salem Symphony announced the engagement of James Travis Creed as its new Artistic Operations Director effective August 1, 2014. 

A native of Surry County, North Carolina, Creed has spent the past 13 years behind the scenes at hundreds of productions all over the state. He joins the Winston-Salem Symphony from the North Carolina Symphony in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he served most recently as Director of Operations and previously as Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Manager.  Prior to the North Carolina Symphony, he was Properties Manager, Audio and Lighting Technician, and Set Carpenter for the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, providing all aspects of backstage technical support for local companies and touring shows. 

Of his appointment, Maestro Robert Moody said, “We are thrilled to have Travis join our team! The depth of his experience with the North Carolina Symphony will be invaluable to us as we grow the artistic operations of the Winston-Salem Symphony.” 

Creed added, “My family and I are thrilled to be joining the Winston-Salem Symphony family and we look forward to being part of the arts and culture that Winston-Salem is renowned for.”

Creed’s primary duties will include artistic operations planning and budgeting, artistic calendar management, venue and crew coordination and management, sound and lighting management, stage management, and guest artist contract negotiations and administration. 

Creed attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and he holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Horticulture from Wilkes Community College.  He joins the staff of the Winston-Salem Symphony on August 1, 2014 and after that date can be reached at tcreed@wssymphony.org or at 336-725-1035, extension 214.

About the Winston-Salem Symphony

The Winston-Salem Symphony begins its 68^th season in September 2014 as one of the Southeast’s most highly regarded regional orchestras. This season also marks Maestro Robert Moody’s 10^th Anniversary with the Symphony. Under the baton of Music Director Robert Moody, its performance season includes a classics series, a pops series, concerts for kids, annual  performances of Handel’s Messiah, a concert featuring Winston-Salem Symphony and Youth Symphony musicians, holiday concerts, three youth orchestra ensembles, and a multitude of educational and community engagement programs.  For more information visit WSsymphony.org."

A Press Release