ABOUT THIS CONCERT
Nothing says “holiday” like Very Merry Pops! The sensational N’Kenge, star of Broadway’s Motown: The Musical and Caroline, Or Change, joins the Symphony and Chorus for this heartwarming concert brimming with traditional carols, festive favorites, and plenty of yuletide cheer.
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ARTISTS
Known for his entertaining programs and engaging personality, Michael Krajewski is a much sought-after pops conductor in the United States, Canada, and abroad.
His 20-year relationship with the Houston Symphony includes 17 years as Principal Pops Conductor. He also served as principal pops conductor of the Long Beach Symphony for 11 years, principal pops conductor of the Atlanta Symphony for eight years, music director of the Philly Pops for six years, and principal pops conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony for 25 years.
Michael’s busy schedule as a guest conductor includes concerts with major and regional orchestras across the United States. In Canada, he has appeared with the orchestras of Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Regina, and Kitchener-Waterloo. Overseas, he has performed in Ireland, Spain, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Malaysia, and China.
Michael has conducted concerts featuring notable musicians and entertainers from many diverse styles of music. He has worked with classical luminaries such as vocalist Marilyn Horne, flutist James Galway, pianist Alicia de Larrocha, and guitarists Pepe and Angel Romero.
In the field of popular music, he has performed with Roberta Flack, Judy Collins, Art Garfunkel, Kenny Loggins, Ben Folds, Rufus Wainright, Jason Alexander, Patti Austin, Sandi Patty, Megan Hilty, Matthew Morrison, Doc Severinsen, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Chieftains, Chicago, Pink Martini, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
Born in Detroit, Michael studied music education at Wayne State University and conducting at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He was an Antal Dorati Fellowship Conductor with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and subsequently served as the DSO’s assistant conductor for four years. Michael now lives in Florida with his wife, Darcy. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, photography, and solving crossword puzzles.
Grammy, Tony, and Emmy-nominated and International Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, actress, and producer N’Kenge’s incredible range is virtually unmatched. She has been heralded by The New York Times as “a classically trained diva that can stretch from Broadway to Pop, Soul and Opera.”
After making her Broadway debut in Sondheim on Sondheim, she originated the role of Mary Wells in Motown: The Musical, which the New York Post called “ELECTRIFYING.”
As a vocal soloist, N’Kenge has performed jazz, pop, and opera concerts on renowned stages around the globe, from Italy’s Opera Estate to Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, and Madison Square Garden. She has performed for presidents and dignitaries, including President Clinton and President Obama.
N’Kenge has won nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical for her roles in the Elton John/Tim Rice musical, Aida, and in Marion Caffey’s 3 Mo’ Divas. She starred in the Broadway revival of the Tony Award-nominated and Olivier Award-winning musical Caroline, or Change, at the legendary Studio 54. Later this year, she will star in the Broadway-bound musical she conceived and produced on the life and legacy of the groundbreaking actress, Dorothy Dandridge. She wrote and created Forever Summer—A Tribute to Donna Summer that is slated for a premier at Carnegie Hall next season. And the new TV musical series, Black Butterfly, is one she created as well as co-wrote with award-winning writer Mary McCallum and is co-producing with TV producer Gina Goff.
With all her life achievements and accolades, the incredible multi-talented N’Kenge shows no signs of slowing down.
The Houston Symphony Chorus is one of Houston’s oldest and most distinguished musical organizations.
Over the years, the Chorus has sung with dozens of the world’s most notable conductors, including Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Steven Reineke, Michael Krajewski, Robert Shaw, André Previn, Leopold Stokowski, Christoph Eschenbach, Sir John Barbirolli, Ferenc Fricsay, Lawrence Foster, and Hans Graf, to name only a very few.
In addition to performances in Jones Hall, the Symphony’s home venue, the Chorus has also delighted audiences in various concert halls throughout the United States, Europe, and Mexico.
Recent reactions to its performances include:
Classical/Chorus: “…beautifully balanced, modulated sound that seamlessly blended with the orchestra.”
—Review of A German Requiem, Houston Chronicle, May 8, 2018
Classical/Chorus: “… the chorus was magnificent.”
—Review of Stabat Mater, Houston Chronicle, September 27, 2018
The Chorus consists entirely of volunteer singers who have considerable musical skill, vocal talent, and choral experience. They audition for placement each year. The Chorus performance schedule is possibly the busiest in the country, consisting of up to fourteen different sets of repertoire for a total of 45 concerts.
