We're fortunate to have such a strong and thriving arts community here in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.  One of the reasons for this success is the presence of Live Arts Maryland Music Director, J. Ernest Green, who has for nearly 30 years helmed the Annapolis Chorale and Annapolis Chamber Orchestra and worked tirelessly to promote the arts.  In October, he received the Lifetime Achievment award from the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County.  He's a celebrated conductor and musician nationally and internationally and now he's about to work with some of today's biggest performers.

J. Ernest Green is at home on the podium conducting orchestras, choruses, opera and musical casts all over the world.  On Tuesday, January 29, Mr. Green will conduct the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in “One Singular Sensation – A Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch.”   Mr. Green and the late Mr. Hamlisch were professional colleagues and Mr. Green often conducted Washington, DC’s, National Symphony Orchestra while Mr. Hamlisch played the piano. They were also friends.

In addition to the celebrated Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, also scheduled to appear with Mr. Green for the concert are Tony Award-winner and Broadway star Idina Menzel singing “What I Did for Love” and “At the Ballet”; Lucie Arnaz and Robert Klein, the original stars of Hamlisch’s Broadway show “They’re Playing Our Song”; singer and pianist Kevin Cole;  English actress and singer Maria Friedman; and Tony-nominated star of Broadway, television and film Brian d’Arcy James. 

With three Oscars, four Emmys, four Grammys, two Golden Globes, a Tony and a Pulitzer Prize to his name, Mr. Hamlisch, who died in August 2012, was one of America’s most prolific and successful composers.  His work includes such memorable hits as “The Way We Were” and “One (Singular Sensation)” from “A Chorus Line” and the scores he wrote for more than 40 films and eight Broadway shows.  His music was part of  “The Sting,” “The Goodbye Girl,” “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “Sophie’s Choice,” just to name a few.  Proceeds from the concert benefit the Marvin Hamlisch Pops Artistic Excellence Fund. 

Mr. Green will return to Annapolis to continue the Live Arts Maryland musical season with his own “Broadway in Annapolis” production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” on February 15 and 16. There's more about Live Arts Maryland at www.liveartsmaryland.org.