Bryce West – Analog Artist Digital World

I went to an Orlando Philharmonic rehearsal for “Symphony in HD” at Full Sail University. This is the second time the symphony has joined forces with Full Sail to stage a high tech concert. The orchestra, conducted by Music Director Christopher Wilkins, will be accompanied by animation, film, lighting effects and other visual elements created by students and faculty of Full Sail University. Jay Noble, the Event producer said, “Through this dynamic collaboration, our students and staff are challenged with creating a unique and larger than life visual environment that will become an extension of selections performed by the Philharmonic.”

The concert began with a twilight set by Vilaldi‘s “Spring” from The Four Seasons. There was a bit of a challenge getting the cues straight to be sure the Orchestra and the effects were in sync. “The Flight of the Bumble Bee” by Rimsky-Korsakov had a film that tracked a bumble bee’s flight. Singer Davis Gaines came out much later in the program to sing “Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera. Davis had performed as the phantom in the Broadway production by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Davis walked around the room as he sang, interacting with people who had come to the rehearsal. He glanced at my sketch and gave me a thumbs up. I felt bad because I had squeezed him in as an after thought and it didn’t look much like him.

The actual Gala concert was on Friday May 31st. Guests had drinks and hors d’oeuvres along with a silent auction on Full Sail’s Hollywood style film set on the back lot facility. They then had a three course meal in Full Sail live where the concert was held. The William Tell Overture had a guest conductor, Bryce West, who had won the opportunity in an auction. He did a bang up job. Christopher Wilkins will be stepping down as the Orlando Philharmonic conductor. His contract is not being renewed in 2014.

My Funny Valentine, hosted by Bryce West and the Friends of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra featured a preview performance by Michael Andrews and Swingerhead. The event began at 7PM at the home of Bryce West. Parking was at the First Baptist Church Windermere, Lakeside Campus (8464 Winter Garden Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL).

When I got to the church parking lot there was a shuttle bus waiting. I climbed in as the only passenger and the took off down a dirt road. We arrived at a gorgeous lake side mansion and after I picked up a name tag, Bryce showed me some of his art collection. He had a portrait of a cleric by Gainsborough in the dining area where food was ready for guests. Another portrait of Marquis Drogheda was by Reynolds. A mysterious dark Dutch painting by Petrov Van Schenbel depicted skaters in a moonlit landscape. The light from a chandelier caused the oil glazes to glare making the painting hard to see.

I set up pool side to sketch the staging area. By the time Michael Andrews performed, the sketch was solidly blocked in. My Funny Valentine will be a concert featuring Michael Andrews, his band Swingerhead, and the Orlando Philharmonic on February 9th at 2PM and 8PM at the Bob Carr. Michael explained to the audience that many of the songs were by Marvin Hamlisch for a new musical of “The Nutty Professor“. The play has been seven years in development. It was just performed in North Carolina and is Broadway bound once the producer gets the finances worked out. Michael has been working with Jerry Lewis to bring this musical to the stage. Michael said he got into entertainment because of Jerry Lewis and now the 86 year old is his mentor. Jerry’s mentor was Charlie Chaplin who took the young comedian under his wing.