Symphony Spring Break II: Cruisin’ Along! a sensory friendly concert Sunday, April 16, 2023
Symphony Spring Break II: Cruisin’ Along!
a sensory friendly concert
Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Allen-Bradley Hall
Benjamin Firer, conductor
Ash Mulholland, actor
Ekene Ikegwuani, actor
Adam Qutaishat, actor
Jill Kenehan-Krey, ASL interpreter
Derrick Cainion, ASL interpreter
Concept and Script by Rebecca Whitney and Katie Cummings
KLAUS BADELT arr. Ricketts
Medley from Pirates of the Caribbean
BENJAMIN BRITTEN
III. Moonlight, “Four Sea Interludes” from Peter Grimes
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL
III. Allegro, Suite No. 1 from Water Music
JACQUES OFFENBACH
“Can-Can” from Overture to Orpheus in the Underworld
JOHANN STRAUSS, JR.
On the Beautiful Blue Danube (excerpt)
LIN MANUEL MIRANDA arr. Campbell
“How Far I’ll Go” from Moana
TRADITIONAL
Beer Barrel Polka
The length of this concert is approximately 50 minutes.
BENJAMIN FIRER conductor
An award-winning conductor, Benjamin Firer holds conducting positions at Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras, and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. Firer received his Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting from Northwestern University and a master’s degree from Yale University. As an orchestral musician he has recorded for the Naxos and Albany labels.
As a guest conductor, Firer has made appearances with the symphony orchestras of Rockford, Altoona, Champaign-Urbana, Dubuque, DuPage, Miami, Fargo-Morehead, Orchestra de la Francophonie, and the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra.
Passionate about inspiring the next generation of musicians, Firer led the Dubuque Symphony Youth Orchestra during their 50th anniversary season, culminating in a side-by-side concert with the acclaimed Minneapolis Youth Symphony. A committed educator, he was engaged as a teaching artist through the Yale University Music in Schools Initiative, providing instruction at the John C. Daniels Magnet School while serving as music director of the Yale-Saybrook College Orchestra.
Prior to his current appointment, Firer held conducting posts at the Pennsylvania State University, Birch Creek Music Center, Merit School of Music, Lewis University, Juniata College, and the Central Pennsylvania Youth Orchestras.
Firer was selected as an emerging conductor with the Peninsula Music Festival and as the conducting fellow for the Atlantic Music Festival. He has garnered awards including The American Prize in Conducting, The Woolsey Concerto Competition, Yale Chamber Music Competition, Ellen Battell Stoeckel Fellowship, and the Long Island University Conductors Award. Recognized for his musical entrepreneurship, he was granted the SUNY Thayer Fellowship in the Arts and the Emma Peters Hooper Endowed Award.
ABOUT THIS PERFORMANCE
Welcome to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s sensory friendly concert experience, “Symphony Spring Break II: Cruisin’ Along!” Sensory friendly concerts include modifications geared for those on the autism spectrum or with any kind of sensory sensitivity, but all are welcome! Our three onstage actors will help guide everyone through the performance. Feel free to get up and move and dance and even change seats if you would like. The house lights will remain up and the theater doors will be open, so if you need to leave for a little while and then come back to the hall you are welcome to do so. Please see the additional information below regarding resources and locations available that we hope will contribute to a positive experience for all in attendance today!
This concert will take us on a spring break cruise to multiple destinations – through music! First, we’ll set sail for warm waters with a medley from The Pirates of the Caribbean films. We’ll experience a clear, peaceful night at sea with the gently rocking “Moonlight” from Benjamin Britten’s Four Sea Interludes. With the help of composers Handel, Offenbach, and Johann Strauss Jr., we’ll experience the ultimate European river cruise with stops in London, Paris, and Vienna. Then we’ll discover how far we can go with the help of a fantastic song from Disney’s Moana. However, there’s no place like home, and we’ll finish our cruise back at the Port of Milwaukee with a rousing version of “The Beer Barrel Polka!” We hope you enjoy our musical journey today!
The Bradley Symphony Center is proud to be a KultureCity Certified Sensory Inclusive Venue.
More information can be found at www.kulturecity.org
IMPORTANT LOCATIONS AND AVAILABLE RESOURCES
If at any time you need assistance or have a question during today’s concert, please find an MSO Ambassador wearing a yellow lanyard or an MSO Volunteer.
Sensory bags, noise-reduction headphones, and weighted lap pads are available for check out from the Coat Check in the Gallery or by finding an MSO Volunteer. Sensory bags include one pair of noise-reduction headphones, three unique fidget tools, one feeling thermometer, and one KC VIP Lanyard. These are available for check out at any MSO performance.
Quiet Areas can be found in the following locations:
Historic Exhibit – Lower Level *NEW: Mobile Sensory Station*
Please be aware that sometimes there is a buzzing sound in this area due to our humidifying system.
Quiet Room – Main Level (nearest Orchestra Left)
Phone Booths – 2nd Level (across from restrooms)
These booths will be equipped with a bean bag chair and some fidgets. We ask that these tools stay in the booths.
Food and Beverages are available for purchase in the Main Level Gallery of the Pavilion. Drinks with lids and food are allowed in AllenBradley Hall during this performance.
All restrooms in the Bradley Symphony Center are wheelchair accessible. In addition, we have several Gender Neutral/Family Bathrooms with baby changing tables. Their locations are as follows:
Historic Exhibit – Lower Level
Gallery – Main Level
Atrium – 2nd Level
Assisted listening devices, braille programs, and large print programs are available at any MSO performance. Find an MSO Volunteer to inquire.
This performance will also feature ASL interpreters, located in House Center Right.
All levels of the Bradley Symphony Center are accessible by elevator. Booster seats are available at any MSO performance.
Ekene Ikegwuani (they/them) loves telling stories through multiple mediums. A musician and writer, as well as an actor, they have been in a variety of productions around Milwaukee, most recently in The Totalitarians with the Constructivists and Whirligig of Time with Sunstone Studios. They just finished music composition and sound design for I’m Gonna Pray for You So Hard with the Constructivists (currently running!). When they’re not acting, they’re hard at work on their debut EP.
Ash Mulholland (she/her) has been involved in the performing arts since 2007. She is a versatile performer and has appeared in community theater, high school, college, and professional productions. She is a frequent actress for Pink Umbrella Theater Company with her favorite roles being Pickle in SHINE! (20212022) and POP in THE BIGGER TOP (2022). She graduated from Cardinal Stritch University in musical theater, some of her memorable roles being Galileo in Godspell (2016) and Bluebell in The Sleeping Beauty (2018). She believes that every production she gets cast in is an all-new adventure, meeting new friends, reading works of other playwrights, and bringing the audience into the atmosphere of the story. She really hopes that you enjoy today’s amazing journey to warm, musical destinations.
EKENE IKEGWUANI actor
ASH MULHOLLAND actor
ADAM QUTAISHAT actor
Adam Qutaishat is a multiracial, non-binary theatre artist based in Milwaukee. Acting highlights include work with The Milwaukee Rep, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, The House Theatre of Chicago, Renaissance Theaterworks, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, Next Act Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, and Theo Ubique. Adam also serves as associate artistic director for Music Theatre of Madison, artistic associate for All In Productions, and as the founder and creator of Button Podcasts, an audio fiction podcast company. They can be heard as the title character in the Fable & Folly Network podcast Vigil, available now. adamqutaishat.com
Nationally certified sign language interpreter, entrepreneur, and artist, Jill Kenehan-Krey has served Milwaukee and beyond for over 30 years. Having established Interpreting Solutions, Inc in 2001, Jill interprets as well as coordinates interpreting services in a variety of settings including but not limited to theatre, government, corporate, conference, education, and social services. A resident of and ambassador for Milwaukee, she endeavors to build an accessible, diverse, equitable, and inclusive world through service and community connections.
JILL KENEHAN-KREY asl interpreter
DERRICK
CAINION
asl interpreterNationally certified sign language interpreter and entrepreneur Derrick Cainion has been providing American Sign Language Interpreting services nationally and internationally for almost 20 years. Derrick is a generalist and has developed expertise in interpreting within performing arts settings. Derrick’s passion for the arts and community doesn’t end with interpreting. He is also the founder of Art Intersection MKE — a community arts organization on the Near West Side of Milwaukee that focuses on using art to uplift and unite the community.
SPECIAL THANKS
We wish to acknowledge the following for their guidance and support. Their assistance has helped to make this Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra sensory friendly concert possible.
Katie Cummings, Pink Umbrella Theater Company
Mary Stone, Stepping Stones Educational Services
Pink Umbrella Theater Company Teaching Artists
White House of Music for providing and staffing Instrument Petting stations
Today’s MSO Ambassadors, who include MSO staff, board members, musicians, chorus members, and community volunteers
