Douglas Bianchi

to conduct the

International Symphony Orchestra’s

festive presentation of

“And the Glory”

Area audiences will once more be provided with a meaningful start to their holiday season, when the International Symphony Orchestra presents their traditional Christmas concerts, “And the Glory”.
Performances will take place Friday, December 2^nd, 7:30 p.m., in Hillside Wesleyan Church, Port Huron, and Saturday, December 3^rd, 7:30 p.m., in Temple Baptist Church, Sarnia.
Under the direction of Music Director candidate, Douglas Bianchi, the sixty-voice Symphony Singers, Orchestra and Guest Soloist, Erica Warder, will be featured in this popular seasonal presentation.
Works will include: Christmas choruses from Handel’s The Messiah; Schubert’s Magnificat; Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Pie Jesu; Mozart’s Laudemus Te; and Bach’s Concerto for violin, flute and harpsichord featuring: James Enns, violin;
Tessa Catton, flute; and Margaret Stone, harpsichord.

Returning to the International Symphony Orchestra after directing successful opening performances in October, is Maestro Douglas Bianchi. Bianchi is a graduate of Wayne State University and subsequently received his Masters Degree in conducting from Oakland University. Professor Bianchi has had extensive teaching experience in the public schools, and previously was Director of Instrumental and Vocal Music at L'Anse Creuse High School North for fifteen years. He is currently a Professor of Music at Wayne State University.

Maestro Bianchi has conducted a variety of ensembles, including the Warren Symphony, the Southfield Symphony, the Lake St. Clair Symphony and the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Concert Orchestra. Besides conducting performances in both Europe and Asia, he has also conducted a number of première performances of orchestral, band and choral works. He was also the director of the highly regarded Warren Concert Band for a number of years and received a Warren Cultural Commission award for his contributions to the community.

Soprano, Erica Warder, earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Queen’s University, Kingston, in 2008, receiving numerous scholarships and awards, including first prize in the annual Concerto/Aria Competition. While there, one of her most memorable experiences, was her lead role performance of Rosina in the Student Opera Company’s production of Il Barbière di Siviglia.

Soon after, Erica made her professional debut with the Kingston Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Glen Fast, singing the Mozart Exsultate jubilate.

Erica continued her studies in the Artist Diploma program at the prestigious Glenn Gould School of Music in Toronto. While there, she performed in two productions, including the role of La Fée in Massenet’s Le Cendrillon. Erica also had the opportunity to travel to Fidenza, Italy, to participate in Northern Arizona University’s summer opera programmme “Flagstaff in Fidenza”, in which, she performed the role of Susanna in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. A few months later, she participated in Tafelmusik’s Baroque Summer Institute. In May 2011, she will travel to Edmonton, to participate in Opera Nuova’s Intensive Opera Programme.

Originally from Petrolia, ON, Erica currently resides in Toronto, where she continues to study with vocal teacher Stephanie Bogle and coach Brahm Goldhamer. She is the soprano soloist with the Humbercrest United Church Choir, and was the Young Artist for 2010/2011 with the baroque ensemble Arcady.

The International Symphony Orchestra is appreciative of the following sponsorship support:

Friday, December 2nd, sponsored by the Joseph & Vivian Martin Charitable Trust

Saturday, December 3rd, assisted by LanXESS

Admission to “And the Glory” is by subscription, or individual tickets, which may be purchased at

the Symphony Office, 225 Davis Street, Sarnia,

or by calling: (519) 337-7775 or (810) 984-8857.

Friday – Hillside Wesleyan Church, 5114 N. River Rd., Clyde Township, MI

adult $24, senior $23, student $7

Saturday – Temple Baptist Church, 1410 Quinn Dr., Sarnia

adult $27, senior $26, student $8 (includes HST)

Children under 15 are admitted free of charge if accompanied by an adult

The International Symphony Orchestra also recognizes the assistance of
The Ontario Arts Council, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts
for making possible our 2011/2012 Season, “Friends: Old and New”.