On Sunday, December 11th, The Lansing Symphony Orchestra will celebrate the season with their Annual Holiday Pops concert at Wharton Center. I had the pleasure of chatting with soloist Matt Eldred about the community tradition.
CK: How did you become involved in the performance this year?
ME: I’ve had the opportunity to previously perform locally and regionally with other symphonies, including Kalamazoo and Detroit. Word got through to Lansing Conductor Timothy Muffitt and his team, then they reached out to me.
CK: Have you had rehearsals with MSU Youth Chorale?
ME: I’m singing a set of four solos with the symphony, then at the end of the night, I return to lead the audience in a carol sing. The choir has their own separate pieces.
CK: What were the challenges to performing with a huge orchestra behind you?
ME: There a number of them. One of the most prominent is communicating in real time. There are no pre-show rehearsals. Sunday we will put things together before we perform. The conductor and I need to be very clear on things ahead of time. That’s the joy. It’s 50-percent real-time improv performance and 50-percent on page.It’s also a challenge to perform with people you aren’t familiar with.
CK: You’re native to the area. Tell me about being the Director of Music at St. Thomas Catholic Diocese?
ME: I’ve been there seven years. The parish is comprised of the entire East Lansing community, St. John’s Church, St Thomas Church and the school. I oversee it all. It’s a massive job I adore. It includes six choirs, hundreds of ministry volunteers, eight masses every weekend and various masses throughout the week.
CK: I read you have a business administration degree. How does that transpose into a music job?
ME: It came after my music profession. I’m currently wrapping up my MBA at the University of Michigan. I’ll be done spring semester. A large part of what I do involves steering our massive organization. Receiving additional credential-ship actually has been unbelievably applicable to what I do.
CK: Have you performed with other local organizations?
ME: I’ve had lots of great opportunities in my life. Community theatre is a fun, creative release at the end of a busy day. I’ve done shows at Peppermint Creek Theatre and Riverwalk.
CK: What can we expect from the Sunday show?
ME: One of the joys of Holiday Pops is patrons who come expecting to hear songs they know. We all have a personal connection to Christmas carols. They provoke sensations of years gone by. My songs include White Christmas, We Need a Little Christmas and O Holy Night. These songs give you a Barbara Streisand “Awww” when they come on. My fourth number is called God Bless Us Everyone by Alan Silvestri. It’s a new song that was originally written for Disney Christmas Carol.
CK: Do you have any preshow rituals??
ME: I Almost always take a nap. When I was singing with the Detroit Symphony I was so relaxed, I was caught resting in my tee and boxers and call time. I like to take time to sleep and recharge, to quietly center himself.
CK: You seem to be surrounded by talented kids. Do you think Michigan has a lot of performing arts opportunities for kids?
ME: I’ve been the benefactor of many of these opportunities. When I grew up in Williamston, the school choir programs weren’t what they are today. My mom drove me to Ann Arbor to sing with Michigan Youth Chamber Singers. We sometimes take for granted how rich we are locally with the MSU community music school and children’s choir. Lansing is one hour away from so many amazing arts organization. One of my favorites is Piano Cottage of Grand Rapids. We have an unbelievably fruitful landscape for youth music.
CK: Do you have friends and family coming to watch the Sunday show??
ME: If they a friend or family member, they will most likely be there. I’m blessed to have supportive network. I’m currently trying to plan a dinner for all of them afterwards.
CK: What do you do when you’re not teaching or performing?
ME: I’m usually at school, but I spend a lot of time with my amazing soon-to-be four-year-old daughter or my network of friends. I’m also a huge sports fanatic; I spend time watching games on tv or live.
CK: What is your profession’s greatest challenge today??
ME: If I’m being brutally honest, the biggest challenge is having a community that values the arts. Arts appreciation is on a decreasing slope. Music is the first thing to get cut in schools. It’s the same with churches. I have been the unfortunate benefactor of people displaced due to churches cutting choirs and youth music ministers. It’s an unfortunate reality. There are so many amazing organization like the symphony that we take for granted. They aren’t a priority in charitable giving.
You can buy tickets to the show and learn more about the upcoming performance at:
https://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/holiday-pops-2
http://www.lansingsymphony.org/
