NHSO Pops Opener Bids Farewell to Conductor Jerry Steichen

The opening of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) Pops Season is both a beginning and an ending. The NHSO will bid farewell to beloved Principal Pops Conductor Jerry Steichen at the season opening concert, Broadway A to Z: ABBA to Les Miz on Saturday, October 20, 2:30pm at Hamden Middle School. NHSO Pops is sponsored by: Whitney Center, Shore Publishing, and Season Media Sponsor the New Haven Register.

Jerry Steichen, a longtime fixture on Broadway and NHSO Pops Conductor for 16 years recently accepted an extended role with Utah Pops as their Principal Pops Conductor. “Jerry’s fetching programming and dynamic personality have spurred our Pops programs to sold out success, said NHSO Executive Director, Elaine C. Carroll. “He has instilled such joy in our audience that they will surely enjoy Pops concerts for years to come. What a gift to our community. We will miss you Jerry. Best of luck in Salt Lake.”

For his farewell concert Jerry will be joined by Broadway stars Teri Dale Hansen and Nat Chandler as they perform hit tunes from the latest Broadway shows: Mamma Mia!, Jersey Boys, Wicked, Spamalot, and more!

Jerry will share his expertise in assisting the NHSO in finding his replacement. Conductors Matthew Savery and Chelsea Tipton II will conduct the remaining Pops concerts this season.

JERRY STEICHEN has distinguished himself as one of the country’s most versatile conductors in a career ranging from symphony to opera to Broadway to chamber music. He serves as Music Director of the Ridgefield Symphony, is Principal Pops Conductor for the Utah Symphony, and has served as Principal Pops Conductor of the NHSO for 16 years. Steichen has conducted the Boston Pops, New York City Opera and various Broadway shows, including the final performance of Cats.

TERI DALE HANSEN recently starred in London’s West End in Harold Prince’s Tony Award-winning production of Show Boat. She made her Broadway debut in 2002 in The Boys from Syracuse and, in that same year, began concertizing with Marvin Hamlisch worldwide. She has sung leading roles with many opera companies worldwide and has toured in the National Tours of The Music Man and Camelot.

NAT CHANDLER has appeared in the title role of The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Children and Art on Broadway. Other career highlights include roles in Kiss Me, Kate, Spamalot, and The Merry Widow. Mr. Chandler starred as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera and toured opposite Sarah Brightman in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Other notable performances include Lancelot opposite Robert Goulet's King Arthur in Camelot and Lun Tha in The King and I with Yul Brynner.

Tickets for the Hamden performance ($35 & $45) can be purchased at 203.865.0831 x10 or www.NewHavenSymphony.org.