Posted January 1, 2024
Part of the SuperPops Series of the 2023-24 AEO Ohio Foundation Art That Moves Season
Conducted by Neal Gittleman
Featuring appearances by Larry Hansgen, John Bedell, members of the 1980 UD Women’s Basketball National Championship team, the Oakwood High School Band, and many more!
Dress to Rep Your Favorite Team!
DAYTON, OH (Jan 1, 2024)- Dayton Performing Arts Alliance presents Huddle Up! Music of Sports, part of the SuperPops Series in the 2023-24 AEO Ohio Foundation Art that Moves season. Sportscaster/Artistic Director and Conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic, Neal Gittleman hosts an evening full of music celebrating the world of sports, from football fight songs, Olympic themes, and baseball tributes to a spirited “concertcast” of Beethoven’s Fifth! Special guests including the hosts of WHIOTV’s “The Orange Zone,” John Bedell and Larry Hansgen, vocalist Claire Northcut, and members of the 1980 University of Dayton’s Women’s Basketball National Championship team join Gittleman and the DPO for an evening of fun for everyone. Kick-off for Huddle Up! Music of Sports is at 7:30 pm, January 6, at the Schuster Center. Tickets are on sale now at the Schuster Center Box Office, by calling 937-228-3630, or online at daytonperformingarts.org/music-of-sports.
“As both a sports fan and a music fan, this concert gives me a chance for a unique “two-fer,” says Gittleman. “Some folks may remember that we used this theme once before—23 years ago—and it was great fun. We’ll cover a wide range of sporting endeavors…the Olympics, cycling, horse racing, football, skating, rowing, basketball, baseball, and boxing…with great, rousing music, video presentations, and lots of fun surprises.”
Music for the program includes John Williams’ Olympic Theme from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, highlights from the popular boxing film “Rocky,” Strauss’ “The Skater’s Waltz,” as well as several offbeat and fun performances of “Casey at Bat,” “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” and the “Gillette Look Sharp March.” WHIO-TV and Cox Radio personalities Larry Hansgen and John Bedell, host a live “concertcast” of Gittleman vs. the Dayton Philharmonic in Peter Schickele’s Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony gamecast!
The night also features video tributes and highlights from local college sports events (WSU, UD, etc.), an appearance from the Oakwood High School Band, and a short tribute to the University of Dayton’s 1980 Women’s Basketball National Championship Team.
Rep Your Favorite Team!
Come as you are! Huddle Up! Music of Sports is a fun-filled sports concert where audiences are encouraged to wear their favorite jersey, sweater, sweatshirt, T-shirt, or other sports-themed attire. Even the orchestra is joining the fun!