Requiem Soloists for March 2023

Tracey Engleman
Soprano

A recipient of the prestigious McKnight Artist Fellowship for Musicians, Ms. Engleman has performed operatic roles with the Minnesota Opera, Minnesota Concert Opera, Skylark Opera, Arbeit Opera, Music by the Lake, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. A particularly gifted performer of 20th century and contemporary music, Ms. Engleman has performed chamber music with Zeitgeist, the Chicago Chamber Musicians, the Tanglewood Music Center and the Boston Symphony and frequently premieres works by living composers. Her CD Lift me into Heaven Slowly featuring song cycles by Libby Larsen was released by Innova Records in 2017. Concert engagements include solo performances with the Minnesota Orchestra, the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Bel Canto Chorus, the Valley Chamber Chorale and the Rochester Symphony Orchestra, and as a frequent recitalist, she has performed at Orchestra Hall, Hope College, at the National Association of Teachers of Singing National Convention, Source Song Festival, and as part of the Schubert Club Courtroom Concert Series.

An alumni of the Tanglewood Music Center and the Art Song Festival of Cleveland, Ms. Engleman’s awards include Regional Finalist in the Metropolitan Opera Competition, 1st Place winner in the Austin Lyric Opera Young Artist Competition, Finalist in the Sun Valley Opera Competition, recipient of the Minnesota NATS Artist Award, and winner of the Milwaukee Bel Canto Chorus Regional Artist Competition. Equally passionate about teaching voice, Ms. Engleman is an Associate Professor of Music at St. Olaf College where she teaches voice and vocal pedagogy. View Tracey Engleman’s online portfolio.

Michelle Monroe
Mezzo Soprano

American Mezzo Soprano Michelle Monroe is praised for her “command of dramatic shape and musical details.” Michelle is sought after as a performer for concerts and oratorio, chamber music, and recitals. Having an affinity for contemporary American vocal music, Ms. Monroe recently gave the world premiere of Four Songs by award winning composer Jeremy Beck. Her recent concert work includes soloist for Magnificat by Imant Raminsh, Elijah by Mendelssohn, Dialogue of Self and Soul by James Stephenson, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Michelle spent two summers as a member of Central City Opera’s Bonfils-Stanton Young Artist Training Program, winning the Opera Guild Sponsored Artist in 2021. A few of her favorite opera credits include Maddalena in Verdi’s Rigoletto with Central City Opera, Dorabella in Mozart’s Così fan Tutte with Music on Site, and Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance with Cedar Rapids Opera.

Michelle is looking forward to performing The Noise by Kimberly Osberg with the Northern Iowa Symphonic Band in April and a solo recital in May featuring Four Dickinson Songs by Lori Laitman and Les Nuits d’été by Berlioz. When she’s not singing, Michelle enjoys teaching voice, gardening, and being outside with her dogs. View Michelle Monroe’s online portfolio.

David Walton
Tenor

Praised for his “clean, clear voice,” David Walton dazzles stages across the country to critical acclaim as a versatile lyric tenor to watch. He recently sang Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance with “charismatic presence and a sweet pleasing tenor” (Cincinnati Business Courier) and Dorvil in Rossini’s La scala di seta with a “ringing high register” (concerto.net).

As a favorite tenor of bel canto, Mr. Walton has frequented such roles as Ernesto in Donizetti’s Don Pasquale, Tonio in La fille du réigment, Ramiro in Rossini’s La Cenerentola and Almaviva in Il Barbiere di Siviglia. He has been described as “this production’s breakthrough performance” (PIONEER PRESS) and “the sweetest singing of the evening…a lyric tenor with strong Italianate stylings” (Star Tribune), “a 21st century Rossini tenor” (OPERA WAR HORSES), and “smooth, lyrical, and capable of scaling the heights” (VIRGINIA PILOT). Company appearances include Cincinnati Opera, Virginia Opera, Minnesota Opera, Opera Delaware, Syracuse Opera, Annapolis Opera, and the Glimmerglass Festival in a new production by Francesca Zambello where OPERA NEWS labeled him “genuinely funny.” Other operas include Rossini’s L’occasione fa il ladro and La scala di seta, Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte and Die Entführung aus dem Serail, and Handel’s Acis and GalateaView David Walton’s online portfolio.

Alan Dunbar
Baritone

Bass-baritone Alan Dunbar is a versatile performer, lauded for his beautiful tone and his nuanced musical and textual interpretation. Spanning repertoire from the 17th to 21st centuries, his performances include premieres of solo works by Libby Larsen, Justin Merritt, and Elliot Carter; as bass soloist in Bach’s passions and cantatas with Voices of Ascension, Bach Society of Minnesota, Bach Roots Festival, and Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra; numerous principal roles with Madison Opera (Magic Flute, Salome, Fellow Travelers, La Bohème, Barber of Seville, Dead Man Walking, She Loves Me); the title role of Britten’s Noye’s Fludde at Santa Fe Opera; and countless solo recitals across the US. Alan holds a BA in music theory/composition from St. Olaf College, and an MM and DM in vocal performance from Indiana University. Alan was a founding member of the Minnesota-based internationally acclaimed chamber vocal ensemble Cantus. He serves as Associate Professor of Voice at Winona State University. View Alan Dunbar’s online portfolio.


For this special performance combining Rochester Symphony Orchestra, our invited soloists and the Rochester Symphony Chorale, THE REQUIEM is set to be a grand finale for our 2022/2023 season.

Accepting Volunteer Ushers

We are seeking volunteer concert ushers for the rest of our 2022/23 season. If you are courteous, helpful, and able to be on your feet for 90-minutes at a time, you might enjoy volunteering as an usher at Rochester Symphony concerts! Enjoy the entire concert at no cost as a thank you.

Considerations

  • Ushers usually work from 6:30pm to 9:30pm depending on the concert time and type.
  • We ask that ushers wear all black in an effort to look cohesive and professional.
  • Usher wear badges and receive an orientation upon arrival. Staff will be available at the box office for additional questions.
  • In case of an emergency, staff and ushers are responsible for evacuation through fire exits.
  • During the concert, ushers mostly sit and enjoy the concert.

Sign up to volunteer as an usher.

Thank you for assisting us as we bring great music to life.

Upcoming 2023 concert dates:

February 24 at Mayo Civic Center

February 25 at Mayo Civic Center

March 25 at Mayo Civic Center

Guest: Concert Violinist Francesca Anderegg

FRANCESCA ANDEREGG, violinist                               
Biography 2022-2023 Season

Hailed by The New York Times for her “rich tone” and “virtuosic panache,” violinist FRANCESCA ANDEREGG consistently delivers insightful performances of both classical and contemporary scores. Through her inventive programming, active composer collaborations and precise, yet impassioned interpretations, she has earned renown as a musical explorer of the first order.

As a soloist, Francesa Anderegg has performed a wide variety of traditional and contemporary violin concerti with orchestras throughout the United States and South America. Following her 2008 Carnegie Hall debut, she has been presented in recital in distinguished national and international venues, among them The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, Brooklyn’s National Sawdust, The Arts Club of Washington, Chicago Symphony Center and Bógata’s Museo Nacional de Colombia. Ms. Anderegg’s festival appearances include the Tanglewood Music Center, National Music Festival, California’s Music in the Vineyards and Yellow Barn in Vermont.

Francesca Anderegg is also active in the recording studio, and her albums have been featured on radio programs throughout the United States and noted for “stunning virtuosity” (Fanfare Magazine), “lustrous tone” (The Strad Magazine) and “riveting listening experience” (Second Inversion). “Wild Cities” was selected as a favorite of 216 by New Music Box, and her most recent release, “Images of Brazil,” won praise as “the most delightful disc of Brazilian chamber music to come along in years” (Fanfare Magazine).

The continual search for unusual repertoire has made Francesca Anderegg a fierce advocate for new music. Since her 2007 New York City concerto debut in Ligeti’s Violin Concerto with The Juilliard Orchestra, she has championed the works of 20th Century and living composers. She performed Daniel Schnyder’s jazz-influenced Violin Concerto with Orchestra for the Next Century and played Pierre Boulez’s orchestral and solo compositions, under the direction of the composer, at the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland. With her husband, the Venezuelan-American composer Reinaldo Moya, she has presented a series of his original works exploring magical realism and other fascinating elements of Latin American literature and imagination. In collaboration with the celebrated conductor Gemma New, Ms. Anderegg gave the August 2019 world premiere of Moya’s violin concerto, commissioned for her by Greenwood Music Camp and the Lakes Area Music Festival.

Francesca Anderegg holds an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and earned both master’s and doctoral degrees from The Juilliard School, where her teachers included Robert Mann, Ronald copes and Naoko Tanaka. She is a laureate of the Corpus Christi International String Competition and recipient of fellowships from both the McKnight Foundation and the Leonore Annenberg Fund. An enthusiastic educator and mentor of young musicians, Ms. Anderegg has been a guest teacher at universities throughout the United States and abroad and has taught at Michigan’s Interlochen Center for the Arts. Currently, she is Associate Professor of Violin at St. Olaf College in Minnesota.

www.francescaanderegg.com

Steven Amundson Guest Conductor for Remainder of Season

We’re thrilled to welcome Maestro Steven Amundson, St. Olaf College Professor and Orchestra conductor emeritus, to Rochester Symphony to conduct concerts in February and March.

After Maestro Lantz’s farewell concert in December, we wanted to ensure our last concerts of the season were led by another Minnesota orchestral legend. You can experience the phenomenal program he’s planned at The Americas concert in February and The Requiem in March. During the February concert, Maestro Amundson will also welcome guest musician Francesca Anderegg on violin.

GUEST CONDUCTOR
Steven Amundson

Renowned conductor and composer Steven Amundson recently retired after serving 41 years on the faculty of St. Olaf College where he was conductor of the St. Olaf Orchestra. Under Amundson’s direction, the Orchestra has frequently appeared on NPR and PBS and twice won the American Prize among colleges and universities. The founding conductor of the Metropolitan Symphony, Amundson also served as music director of the Bloomington (MN) Symphony for 13 years and has appeared as conductor and clinician in 37 states and 15 countries.

In honor of 36 years of service to St. Olaf College as a Senior Development Officer and in gratitude for her commitment and service in philanthropy, Steve Amundson wrote an orchestral work for colleague Grace Schroeder Scott, which will be performed in February. The theme of the piece embraces the notion of living in gratitude as a means of enriching one’s life experience, something that resonates deeply with Amundson. As a title, he chose the Latin Gratia Viva—loosely translated Living in Gratitude. Join us at The Americas to hear this piece of Minnesota history. Read more about Maestro Amundson’s career in the St. Olaf Magazine.

Rochester Symphony welcomed Maestro Amundson to conduct for the remainder of the 2022/23 season because after 42 years at the helm of Rochester Symphony, Maestro Jere Lantz retired in December 2022

Congratulations on Retirement

Memories of 42 years of great music brought to life under the baton of Maestro Jere Lantz

I was very fortunate to have seen Jere work outside of the orchestra setting, years ago, when he gave music history lessons to a small group of homeschoolers above what used to be the Hamilton Music store. I remember feeling guilty not paying college tuition for his sort of lecture! And even though my sons were young elementary age, they were spellbound! 

Later, Jere went on to teach music history to a larger group at a homeschool co-op, which I helped to organize. For years, he would drive down from the Cities in all sorts of weather to work all afternoon teaching three different age groups of students, from K-12. The kids loved that class because, somehow, he adapted the information to reach very different ages! That was a LOT of work, for which he essentially donated his time, for very little recognition. I don’t know how he did it, but his passion for music came streaming out to inspire those very lucky children. 

Thank you, Jere! You have positively impacted the lives of many, young and old, truly bringing great music to life.

–Amy Andrews, Season Ticket Holder

~

Jere’s program notes were sensational. I talked with Jere several times well over half an hour during COVID. We discussed the Beethoven tome of over 1,000 pages. Also attended several of his pre-concert classes at Kellogg. Truly a remarkable man, and I will miss him greatly!

–Wayne Servais, Season Ticket Holder

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My nine seasons (2004-2013) with the Rochester Symphony Chorale had many notable benefits. Primarily, expanded musical growth, and sitting under the baton of “The Maestro,” Jere Lanz. Singing with a professional orchestra was very exciting and rewarding. It was fun watching Jere conduct both players and singers, and to see his rapport with audiences. At rehearsal, Jere’s many stories about composers, history and basically everything convinced me he had more information and insight than anyone I knew. Congratulations, Jere! Thank you for your dedication, giftedness and compassion.

–Anita Allen-Wilson, Former Chorale Soprano

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It was wonderful to be a part of this concert as a member of the Chorale. 50 years ago, I actually played cello under Jere’s direction in St. Cloud. A nice closing of a circle for me.

–John Sauer, Chorale Bass

The plaque that Rochester Symphony presented to Jere Lantz at his final concerts reads, “With heartfelt gratitude for 42 years of exemplary leadership, inspired concerts, and a wealth of music illuminated… thank you for bringing great music to life!” That sentiment encapsulates so well what Jere has meant to the organization and our broader community.

I particularly love the phrase “a wealth of music illuminated.” We have been fortunate all these years to have a Music Director who goes beyond simply directing music on stage. Jere’s ability to bring life to the music through sharing the background and context of music is nothing short of legendary. And his way of articulating that to any audience – whether young children, adults who are encountering orchestral music for the first time, or individuals who are well-steeped in the canon of classical music and have strongly-held opinions about it – Jere is able to converse in interesting and respectful ways to anybody.

Jere has represented the organization well and without compromise, while still being willing to try new things and new approaches. It’s a balance that not all music organizations have had at their helm. We have a daunting challenge ahead of us to replace a Music Director who got it right so often. And I am so full of gratitude knowing Jere will be watching and cheering us on as we move forward.

–Amy Lindstrom, President/CEO, Rochester Symphony

Responses to the Farewell Concert


We enjoyed all the info and history about Jere and it was presented in such a celebratory way. He shared such interesting information about the pieces performed that he arranged and those arranged by other composers. We left in a festive mood and looking forward to buying tickets to the next event. We are planning to attend all of the Rochester symphonies in 2023. We will miss Jere and wish him all the best.

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We will miss Jere, but wish him well in his retirement. When he arrived, he was like fresh air and such a nice, talented man.

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A delightful farewell concert to express gratitude to a dedicated musician. We love you, Jere Lantz.

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Bravo, Maestro Lantz! Thank you for 42 years.

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Jere will be sorely missed. We’ve known him for many of the 42 years. He deserves a long and happy retirement.

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A wonderful concert. Congratulations to Jere Lantz. We will miss you.


Maestro Jere Lantz Retirement In the News


Biographies

Update: Music Director Search

November 2022

As of December 31, 2022, our beloved Music Director of more than forty years, Maestro Jere Lantz, will retire.

Early last spring, the Rochester Symphony Board of Directors developed a search committee tasked with finding a panel of candidates. The committee has been searching for the most qualified candidates to serve the Rochester community and take the Rochester Symphony into the future.

Knowing that replacing someone of Maestro Lantz’s caliber would be no easy feat–especially since we have had decades to grow in appreciation of him–the committee has been hard at work receiving applications and reviewing conducting videos. When we received a large number of applications from an impressive set of conductors, it became clear we would find an amazing Music Director for Rochester Symphony’s future. At this stage, it has become difficult to narrow down the options to select just one who will be the right match. We will need your help. Please look forward to joining concerts next season so that you can weigh in on each candidate in our post-concert surveys.

Director Search Timeline
Summer 2022: Received applications and reviewed candidate submissions
Fall 2022: Interviewing candidates with intention to select 3-5 final candidates to be invited to conduct a concert in the 2023/2024 season
October 2023 through April 2024: Host final candidates to prepare and conduct one concert each, meet with leadership, and participate in educational programming
Spring 2024: Announce Rochester Symphony’s next Music Director
From the President/CEO
Dear Friends & Supporters,

With interviews underway, we are on track to schedule candidate finalists for the 2023/2024 concert season. In the meantime, we are fortunate that St. Olaf legend, Steven Amundson, will be conducting our February and March concerts as an interim/guest conductor to fill out the current season.

As Jere nears his well-earned retirement, there is one more concert set for you to connect with him. On December 10 and 11 we will be performing the full canon of Jere Lantz Christmas music arrangements–we are not entirely biased when we say they’re some of the best out there! Finally, plans are starting for a celebration of Jere’s impact on music in Rochester to occur in spring 2023 after he’s officially done. We’ll keep you updated on when that will happen and what it will look like.

Sincerely,
Amy Lindstrom

Memorial: Tom Schneller

Friends of Rochester Symphony, As you may have heard, Tom Schneller–who has been with us as timpanist and percussion section leader for more than forty years–passed away Sunday evening in an auto accident. He had just played timpani in a concert with the Dubuque Symphony and was driving back to his home in Appleton, WI when the accident occurred.

No one in my time with Rochester Symphony has been more dedicated or committed than Tom Schneller. His knowledge of the use of percussion in the orchestral repertoire was encyclopedic. He took great care to be sure that at each moment we were using just the right instrument with the right sound to make our performances authentic and effective.

Tom put more miles on the road to be able to perform with musical colleagues than anyone else I know. After Dubuque this past weekend, he was going to play timpani with the La Crosse Symphony this weekend before returning to be with us a week later. His major musical commitment for the past four decades has been Rochester Symphony.

We will miss Tom as the anchor of our percussion section. Personally, I will miss his knowledge and insights about scores through all of music history. There are few of us for whom RS has meant as much as it did to Tom. Our deepest condolences to his family.

Jere Lantz
Artistic Director


Tom Schneller Celebration of Life
You are invited to join the Celebration of Life service to honor Tom Schneller, Timpanist for Rochester Symphony for over 40 years.

When: Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 11am (prelude starting at 10:30am)

Where: Pax Christi Church (4135 18th Avenue NW) in Rochester, MN

What to Expect: Rochester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale musicians will provide music during the prelude. Retired Maestro Jere Lantz will share a reading and some thoughts about Tom. Pat Anderson will lead members of the chorale (with musicians from the orchestra) in closing the service with the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Those who knew Tom are welcome to join this meaningful time to be together.

Obituary Written by the Family:

Thomas Scott Schneller, 75, of Neenah, WI, and formerly of Lacrosse, WI, Minneapolis, MN, and Royal Oak and Detroit, MI, lost his life suddenly and tragically on November 6, 2022, from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in rural Wisconsin. Born to George Ramsey Schneller Jr, and Carroll (Cook) Schneller on February 23, 1947, he was the oldest of three children, and a proud US Army military veteran.

In addition to his military service, Tom’s professional life’s contribution was in his much beloved field of music. Tom received his BA from Wayne State University, and his MS in Education and Music Performance from Crane School of Music, State University of New York at Potsdam. He was a proud professional musician his entire working career with vast and significant lifelong contributions to the field, including membership in the international award winning Men’s Glee Club, the Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity, Interlochen Arts Academy, and Shell Lake Arts Camp. He served as President of the Wisconsin Percussive Arts Society, and he co-authored the percussion methods book “Modern School for Mallet-Keyboard Instruments.” Tom was also an educator, working as a faculty member with the LaCrosse, WI school district, as well as in several posts at the university level, and many of his students have gone on to become successful university instructors and professional musicians playing in orchestras all over the country.

But his most beloved contribution in the field of music was his role as Timpanist and Principal Percussionist for The Rochester Symphony in Rochester, MN where he was “highly valued for his impeccable sound and knowledge of music.”

Although he played for many orchestras throughout the country, he was extremely proud of his contributions to and service in the West Point US Army Military Band and West Point Alumni Band and American Legion Band of the Tonawanda’s, Buffalo, NY.

Along with his commitment to and love for his chosen vocation, Tom’s teaching abilities also extended into the world of healthcare. Trained in the specialty of lymph drainage therapy at the Upledger Institute by the renowned Dr. Bruno Chickly, he become a certified lymphedema practitioner, and ultimately achieved certification to teach new students this healing specialty through the Upledger Institute and Chickly Institute. Tom also loved the great outdoors, enjoying hunting, skiing, and hiking, and spending time at the family cabin in Wellston, MI built by his father and grandfather. He was also a member of and of service to the National Ski Patrol and LaCrosse Dive Rescue Team and served for a time with the New Richmond WI Police Department.

Tom was the beloved companion of Carolyn Liarakos, loving father of Scott Schneller; Brian Schneller; Alison (Scotty) Barkholtz and Kristin (Patrick) Kerwin. Cherished grandfather of Julian Kerwin. Former husband of Claudia Schneller Melby. Dear brother of David (Heddy) Schneller and Maurita (Wes) Pluff and uncle of many nieces and nephews. Tom is preceded in death by his parents, as well as his niece Juliet Schneller and nephew Hans Schneller.

Tom was laid to rest in a beautiful wooded setting at the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King, Wisconsin on November 18, 2022. An additional memorial service celebrating Toms love of historic drumming will be held May 20, 2023, at the UB Newman Center, Buffalo, NY. facebook.com/UBNewman