Christopher Finkelmeyer-OAC

1Christopher Finkelmeyer

OCONOMOWOC ARTS CENTER STAFF

Arts Center Manager ........................................................................................ Michael DuncanMarketing/Public Relations Manager ..........................................................Robin KrakauerBox Office/Website Manager ...........................................................Cynthia Acosta LuksichBox Office Staff ..............................................................................Ginni Hicks, Sharon Milway, Connie Rizzo, Nancy SchwabeHouse Managers .......................................................................... Lisa Abbott, Robert Abbott, Lynne Carlstein, Mark Carlstein, Deborah Duncan, Lindsay Duncan, Cheryl Fillmore, Jack Fillmore, Jan Gibeau, Angie Harrison, David Harrison, Davey Harrison, Ginni Hicks, Dan Holzmiller, Adrianna Nowak, Connie RizzoOAC Technicians ......................................................................... Marisa Abbott, Sean Floeter, Brandon Gariss, John Kyle, Michael Nicolai, Brooke Olson, Dustin Strobush, Andrew ZietlowUsher /House Manager Coordinator .............. Cynthia Acosta Luksich,Sharon MilwayUshers ........................................ Pauline Barnes, Carol Barwick , Ron Barwick, Liz Bednar,

Jeff Boetcher, Penny Boetcher, Chuck Cerny, Sharon Collins, Nancy Connell, Jacqueline Day, Sarah Day, Mark Dorney,

Deb Duncan, Lindsay Duncan, Annette Elftman, Chuck Eltman, Hellen Felland, Scott Felland, Barb Figi, Nina Gaydos-Fedak,

Kia Gogin, John Gogin, Bonnie Grunke, Kevin Grunke , Anjuli Grunke, Kathy Haggith, Susan Hesslink, Ginni Hicks,

Barb Hirsch, Deb Jelacic, Barb Jordan, Russ Jordan, Sandy Karkossa, Bob Knollenberg , Jane Knollenberg, John Koehn, Ruth Koehn, Mark Kszycki, Kathy Loehr, Arleen Lynch, June Mather,

Ruth McClou, Lucy Mercado, Mary Murphy, Caryl Niebler, Mary Peterson, Judy Raether, Marge Ramstack, John Rauch Tricia Rauch, Connie Rizzo,

Betsy Sander, Jeff Sander, Jim Schaefer, Sharon Schaefer, Lee Schmeckpeper, Linda Schmeckpeper, Jennifer Starke White, Kolina Sully, Nancy Teas, Lill Theil,

Bill Theil, Bill Tweeden, Jan Tweeden, Chris Wehrenberg, Richard Wentland,Kathy Wentland, Maurine Willey, Terry Williams, Terri Wonn, Cheryl Woppert,

Arlene Ziety, Tom Ziety

MISS ION STATEMENT

The Oconomowoc Arts Center mission is to provide patrons and artists of all ages, a professional, cultural and educational experience with the highest quality programming opportunities possible.

COM MIT TEES / PARTNERSHIPS

Oconomowoc Area School DistrictDr. Patricia E. Neudecker, Superintendent of Schools

Board Of EducationMr. Donald Wiemer, PresidentMrs. Susan Kay, Vice President

Mr. Mike Bickler, SecretaryMrs. Sandra SchickMr. John Griswold

Ms. Elizabeth ThelenMs. Lisa Arenas

Programming CommitteeMarisa Abbott

Lisa BoudinMichael Duncan

Tom HalloranMarilyn LargentEmily Mariano

Betty ReulKim Schultz

Peter Schwabe

2 Oconomowoc Arts Center

Marketing CommitteeMcKenna BryantMichael DuncanWendy HalloranRobin Krakauer

Rebecca SeymourBarb Simpson

Jennifer Starke-White

Visual Arts CommitteeMichael DuncanTerry Peterson

Paul SchultzJason Van Roo

Film/Media CommitteeMichael DuncanTerry Kaldhusdal

Michael KrillJames Scheuer

Special Events/Hospitality Committee

Julie FalkGinni Hicks

Kathy KaempfSandy Karkossa

John KoehnJune Mather

Adrianna Nowak

Artistic PartnershipsFirst Stage Children’s Theater Academy, Milwaukee • Milwaukee Ballet Company

Bel Canto/Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

Literary PartnershipsBooks & Company, Oconomowoc (Visiting Author’s)

Visual Arts PartnershipsWaukesha Creative Arts League

Pewaukee Area Arts Council (PAAC) - Ekphrastic Event • Milwaukee Youth Art Fair

Residence and Event PartnershipHilton Garden Inn/Staybridge Suites - official residence of visiting artists and events

COM MIT TEES / PARTNERSHIPS (c o n t.)

The Ottoman SocietyA FINE FURNITURE CONSIGNMENT SHOP

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We Recycle Beautiful Things

Visit us to find treasures or bring us your own to sell.

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SUPPORT

THE V IC DONORS

The VIC is the rehearsal area named in celebration of excellence in education in the Oconomowoc Area School District and in honor of Vic Passante, OHS theater director, teacher and mentor from 1974 to 2007.

Major DonorsThe Debbink Family Foundation

Craig and Mary SchiefelbeinThomas X. Herro Foundation

Oconomowoc Area FoundationOrbis Corporation

Paragon Development Systems, Inc.Pat and Mary Sue McNamee

And to the students, community members, and businesses who contributed to the 2007 celebration honoring Vic Passante’s dedication to the arts and to learning.

With Gratitude, the Oconomowoc Area School District acknowledges these local organizations, businesses and private patrons for their outstanding support of the Oconomowoc Arts Center.

Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts, Oconomowoc Performing Arts Council,

Oconomowoc Public Education Foundation, Plunkett Raysich Architects,

Oconomowoc Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, Paul Phelps and Oakbrook Esser Studios,

Mr. and Mrs. Narendra Patel – “Cuculidae” (Bird of Songs) Sculpture,Ace Hardware of Oconomowoc, Arc-Central of Oconomowoc,

Books & Company, Footlights /Marcus Promotions, Inc.,Jerry Foust, Neumann Company,

Fox Bothers Piggly Wiggly Stores,The Pub – Irish Tavern & Restaurant, Sherpers,

Hilton Garden Inn/Staybridge SuitesPedal’s Inn Bed & Breakfast

Oconomowoc Sign Company

Thanks to the UW Extension and the Southeast Wisconsin Master Gardeners for their assistance with the OAC gardens and their support of its educational value.

Thanks to the Oconomowoc High school Landscape Class for their assistance with the OAC gardens.

The Oconomowoc Arts Center gratefully acknlowdges grants from the Oconomowoc Area Foundation’s Scheriffus Fund, Richard R. and Karen Bertrand Charitable Fund, and

The Debbink Family Foundation.

Direct gifts have been made to the OAC by:Donald J. and Constance M. Moore

Jan Gibeau

Direct gifts in memory have been made to the OAC by the following supporters:Mr. and Mrs. David Reul in memory of Ralph Trepte

Dr. and Mrs. Victor Soderstrom in memory of Wally WieseMr. and Mrs. Donald Weimer in memory of Wally Wiese

Rae Kinn in memory of Mary Von Bereghy

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PACEsetterPabst Farms

PlatinumDirk & Terry DebbinkOconomowoc Area Foundation

GoldJ. H. Findorff & Son Inc.Oconomowoc Performing Arts Council Jennifer Bukosky, Courtney Bella & Sophia

Bukosky +

SilverDick & Karen BertrandJerry & Jeanie BurchardtDebbink Family Foundation

BronzeDr. Gerard & Carol AdlerAmerican Assn. of University Women-

OconomowocDavid & Sue BreckenfelderKent & Karen BrooksFirst Bank Financial CentreChris & Lisa GallChuck & Pat HerroMike & Kim Herro FamilyThomas X. Herro +Geoffrey & Sandra Hogan Grace MertenDick & Bobbie ProtzmannDave & Betty ReulRonald & Donna SchlenderBill & Jane WierdsmaModern Woodmen of America

$1000 DonorsJames Kevin Barry +Dick BertrandKaren BertrandDuane & Dorothy Bluemke FoundationFrank & Mary Ann BrazeltonEmme BurchardtHannah BurchardtJeff BurchardtLisa BurchardtBette Durnford +Matthew & Rebecca Eash FamilyGerald Foust FamilyReimar Frank +Betsy, Pip, Emma, & Becca FreemanHenszey FamilyKenneth HerroAndrea KeckDavid KeckKris KeckJohn & Ruth KoehnMike & Jodi Koehn FamilyBill & Carol LammTerry & Marilyn Largent

Helen MagnussonLynne MarrisTom & Nancy MassnickCurt & Pat NeudeckerMary Jo Newburg *Kathy Pence +Kathy Pence +Oconomowoc High School Staff-2009Oconomowoc Performing Arts CouncilOconomowoc Performing Arts CouncilOconomowoc Performing Arts CouncilOHS Class of 1961Orthopaedic Associates of WIJohn & Pat Rodell FamilyJoseph & Dorothy St. ThomasMike & Sandy SchickCraig SchiefelbeinMary SchiefelbeinGreta SchiefelbeinHans SchiefelbeinKlaus SchiefelbeinMichael & Donna SchollAndrew SchultzConner SchultzKarly SchultzKim SchultzTim SchultzJohn P. Snyder, Jr. Family *Dean +, Ellen, Linda, Cheryl Strommen John Sutte +Dorothy “Grandma Dot” Thompson +Ray & Collette WarellRobb & Cheryl Wierdsma

$750 DonorsMaribeth BushHilton & Jean NealEmalou Sandsmark *Dorothy M. Verhein

$500 DonorsArt, the Window Washer + Steve Baker *Ernest & Sharon Biel FamilyCarroll College Performing Arts Helena, MT *Cheney Family *John & Judy Cooley FamilyMalcom A. & Susan M. DornMaureen, Beth, & Michael GeraghtyHoward F. Greene +Charlotte M. HallShirley Hamilton-NehringBeth Hansing *John Hansing *Joe Haas MediaDr. & Mrs. Ron KarzelOtho Kile, Jr. +Del & Joan KruegerDavid J. Magedanz *Patrick & Amy C. MiddletonOconomowoc Junior Woman’s Club

PACE DONORS


Dr. & Mrs. William PatonJeff SanderDave & Lucy ShanksTom & Anne Simonis FamilySarah, Diane, & Phil Slaughter *Chad Vande Zande FamilyFrances WayBenjamin, Elisa, Emily, & Brice WelchTom Woods, OPEF Board Member*

$250 DonorsBooks and CompanyCurtis & Anne BrewerMike & Bridget Bruno FamilyBenjamin ByczekOlivia ByczekGinger Carney *Mary Casucci +Bill & Joyce ChapmanBob & Eileen Daly FamilyDrama Mamas and PapasMichael Duncan FamilySteve & Carol FrankwickDaniel & Kathleen GiesenGreenland School Drama ClubsJack & Gay GrothausRussell & Elizabeth HalkerstonRobert E. Hasselkus +Jay & Heidi HueninkDarrell & Elaine HurdleAmy Jappinen *Alyssa JappinenTessa JappinenJesse & Cameron JohanningLydia Johnson +Ron & Kim KoehnAlan & Mary KoepkePaul Ludy, Jr. + Andrew J. MountCatherine Narloch *Mike & Betty NivensOHS Class of 1965OHS Class of 1975Robb FamilyEd Rohloff +Genevieve RohrerTodd & Leah Scheid FamilyJodi SchlenderPaul & Holly SchmidtkeDon & Mary SchmittDr. B. J. Schumacher *David & Carol Steger *Emma & Jack Watermolen

$100 DonorsIssac AmaCria AmaAlice Anderson +Alice Anderson +Alice Anderson +Joyce Antonneau *

Norbert Antonneau +Bev Babinec +Eva BalistrieriKurt & Carrie BegalkeJennifer BetancesDwayne & Joyce BlockRoger Bottoni FamilyJeffrey, Jason, & Kaitlin BrandlBruce & Jo BrownDavid & Joan BrussatJim BushLydia Ann Bush *Rob & Katie BushBeau Butschke Fund +Gladys Christenson +Michael, Angela, Callahan & Delaney CowlesRichard C. Craemer FamilySierra M. Dakouras *Jim & Michele DohertyDance Buddies*Kayla, Jeff, & Holly DanielsLonnie Dykstra +Craig Finkelmeyer +Connie Frank *Kyle Fritz *Janet Gibeau *Dr. & Mrs. W. G. GillCarl GlaumMark & Karen GouldBob Grimm +Scott Haley +Mark & Dani HerroBrittany Hoffman ’09 Sr. Director * Jim Holahan + Matt & Lindsay Holsen ’09 ‘14Grace HueninkRobert C. James +Sarah Grace Kleist *Jane R. KoningJohn W. Koning, Jr.Linda J. KrauseMike & Margie KrauskiMichael Krill *Marilyn Largent *Harvey LarsonVirginia LawingerAudrey Karen Lemcke*Patrick LeslieSusan Lucht FamilyLois L. Luebke Jim & Pat MackPatricia MattDonald McCollumMargaret McCollumKathryn McCollum FreelandLynne McCollum StaleySean McCollumFranziska Merkle ‘07-08 Exchange Student Dan Miller FamilyDr. & Mrs. G. Daniel MillerMol Family

PACE DONORS


Shannon MooreDavid NewburgSamantha NewburgDavid NicolaiKari NicolaiMichael NicolaiTod Ninmann FamilyOHS Class of 1942OHS Class of 1950OHS Class of 1955OHS Class of 1955OHS Class of 1955OHS Class of 1966OHS Class of 1971OHS Class of 1974Kathy Pence +David A. PerrigoSherri PerrigoDave & Kate PerryRoger & Barbara PuterbaughDan ReepDood ReepDorothy RevnewRichard & Susanne RumpfSteve, Andrea, Matthew, &

Haley St. ThomasJames + & Marilyn SchallerHerbert SchickHollie Schick

Dan & Jan Schlender *Dan & Jan SchlenderStephen SchmiedlinTruman & Barbara SchultzRichard & Mary SharpSterling, Cassidy, & Drake ShepherdJudge Patrick & Luly SnyderBill & Sue SnyderCharles & Lynne StaleyDean +& Ellen Strommen *Maury SullivanWilliam & Lillian Thiel FamilyBob & Jan ThostensonGary & Tina Timmel FamilyArlene TinusGrma. Dot Thompson +Chuck Thorsen *Christopher M. Todd *Steve A. Wagner Family ’73, ’75, ’05, ‘08Bridgette Well ’09 Sr. Director *Dick WhalenFlorence WhalenLisa Hansing Young *Tom & Arlene Ziety

*Gifts dedicated to name listed+ Gifts in member

PACE DONORS

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Beth Angsten, M.D.•Jessica Herzberg, M.D. •Laura Jacques, M.D. •Kari Oliver, M.D. •Debra Olson, M.D.•

Follow Us:

Open your world to a beautiful birthing center and the most

comprehensive women’s services available in the area.

Birthing Center | Gynecology Urogynecology | Breast Health

All the care you deserve, close to home

OCONOMOWOC785 Summit Avenue, Suite #203(within Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital)262-569-8488

1260 Brown Street(Hwy P – Next to Tobin’s)262 569-2424

HARTLAND1500 Walnut Ridge Drive (Walnut Ridge Dr. & Hwy. 83) 262-513-7500

DELAFIELD2750 Golf Road(I-94 & Hwy. 83) 262-928-4900

WATERTOWN109 Air Park Drive (off Hwy. 26 near Walmart) 920-262-7444

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Saturday, May 12

7:30 pm

Main Stage Series

Christopher Finkelmeyer ........................................................................piano


PROGR A M

• Clair de lune .......................................................................................... Debussy

Here we go, up a road...

• 3 Preludes ............................................................................................ Gershwin

Tweet, Tweet, Tweet!!!

• Dance of the Cowboy .......................................................................... Ginastera

• Dance of the Blessed Spirits .................................................... Gluck/Sgambati

There’s No Place Like Home

• Prelude - The Haunted Forest

The Oz Fantasy (Fantasia on Musical theMes FroM ‘the Wizard oF oz’) ........ Finkelmeyer* Official World Premiere Performance

---------------INTERMISSION----------------

• Gnossienne #3 ..............................................................................................Satie

• Romance in Db Major .............................................................................. Sibelius

My Beautiful Blue-Haired Bertha

Happy 200th Mr. Liszt!

• Liebestraum ..................................................................................................Liszt

• Hungarian Rhapsody #2................................................................................Liszt

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B IOGR APHY

“Chris Finkelmeyer and Oconomowoc”

By: Regina deCuzzi

A standard biography you might read in a program is generally nothing more than a litany of remote professional achievements such as this: Christopher

Finkelmeyer made his professional debut in the Rachmaninoff Concerto #2 with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra while still a student at Northwestern University under Donald Isaak, DMus. He represented the United States in the International Busoni Competition after winning a grant from the Institute of International Education and continued his studies in Vienna at the Hochschule für Musik under noted scholar-pianist Paul Badura-Skoda. After concertizing through Europe and Mexico, he returned to the U.S., continued performing and embarked on a career as Musical Director of a New York Opera company. He studied under Adele Marcus at the Juilliard School and later continued his education at Ohio State University, obtaining an MM while studying with America’s elder-statesman of the piano, Earl Wild, who named Chris “one of the most outstanding pianists of his generation”. While concertizing in the U.S., Chris created “Unstuffed”, his “one-of-a-kind” presentation style which he then adapted into a series of “Un” recordings, three of which, “Passionately Unstuffed”, “Unspoken” and “Unforgotten Christmas” are complete and available for purchase at amazon.com.

Chris is at home in a variety of performance settings. Whether inviting young people to experience the joys of classical music with a family concert at the Chautauqua Institution in upstate New York; performing in Mexico’s historic Teatro

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B IOGR APHY (c o n t.)

Ocampo; acting as the warm-up act in Arizona’s Sun Dome for the late Broadway star Nell Carter; or performing as part of a classical piano festival in New York’s Carnegie Recital Hall — all reflect Chris’ mantra and mission that ‘great music is for everyone.’ Says Holly Richard, former Director of Quad City Arts (and recipient of the prestigious William Dawson Award for Programmatic Excellence presented by The National Association of Performing Arts Presenters) in a letter to Finkelmeyer: “I was ecstatic with the attendance and audience response at your public concert. The publicity we received was much greater than usual and I attribute that to your approach to the concert setting and the way in which you present classical music. People enjoyed your combination of humor, visual effects, and audience participation with of course, most impressive musicianship. Your Unstuffed presentation was enthusiastically received. It’s a challenge performing throughout the community for students, service club members, and the general public, and you met it head-on. I very much enjoyed meeting and working with you.”

America’s pre-eminent classical music review magazine, Fanfare Magazine, has praised Finkelmeyer’s pianism for its “fetching allure...relaxed sensuality...and sumptuous tone-painting”.

But standard biographies never tell the real story—the story of those who were there before all the famous people and institutions started taking credit for the success of the performer. They never mention the wonderful parents who take time to listen to the child who says he wants to play piano, the early teachers who guide and encourage little hands and minds, the community that supports the growing artist by giving him an opportunity to perform what he has learned, or the inspiration of a home-town audience that greets his achievements with love and respect.

Locally Chris began playing the organ for St. Jerome’s daily Mass when he was 11; was a member of the 1979 Kids From Wisconsin; and was the inaugural recipient of the Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts Fine Arts Scholarship in addition to numerous awards and scholarships from the Oconomowoc Music Club, the Kiwanis Club and The Rotary Club.

Contrary to the old joke — “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” — It isn’t just “Practice, practice, practice!” that gets you there. It’s the years of support, encouragement, guidance and character building that enable you to succeed. Chris Finkelmeyer counts himself among the luckiest to have come from such an environment. Tonight’s program includes some of his thoughts, thanks, adventures, and dreams — in his own words. These experiences are what make an artist. This energy is what Italian critics felt when they cried: “A genuine thoroughbred! Like a champion surfer on Rachmaninoff’s most turgid, big melodic waves Finkelmeyer raised the temperature in the hall by several degrees... flirting... startling... stimulating... among the most sparkling performances of the year.”

Chris Finkelmeyer’s piano lineage descends directly, teacher to teacher, from Earl Wild to Beethoven himself. But his soul belongs to you, Oconomowoc. So if — tonight — you hear a passage that brings a smile or unleashes a tear, take some credit for your good work as well.


Dedication & Special ThanksTonight’s performance of Finkelmeyer’s “The Oz Fantasy” marks its official world-premiere performance. Chris is dedicating his new composition, “The Oz Fantasy”, to The People and City of Oconomowoc as a gesture of his immense gratitude for the nurturing, support, and encouragement the people of Oconomowoc have shared with him from the time he was a young child growing up here, to the present.

Finkelmeyer’s “The Oz Fantasy” is also an homage to Herbert Stothart (1885-1949) who composed the score for “The Wizard of Oz” winning the Academy Award for Best Original Score that year, beating out the score for “Gone With the Wind” (1939). Stothart had a summer home here in Oconomowoc - so a number of his musical ideas for the score would have been first heard here floating across the lakes. The classically-trained Stothart was also a firm believer in exposing wider audiences to the joys of classical music which is why he included classical music references throughout the score.

Chris extends special thanks: to Mary Jo Newburg, Vic Passante, Amy Jappinen, and all the little Munchkins who showed up for their incredible generosity and special help with tonight’s performance; to the wonderful teachers at St. Jerome School and Oconomowoc High School who taught me many years ago; to the Oconomowoc Music Club, the Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts, and the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs of Oconomowoc for all their support in my young years; to my music teachers, parents, family, classmates and friends for always caring about what I did at the piano; and to the City and People of Oconomowoc - I can think of no greater place to have spent my childhood.

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Christopher Finkelmeyer-OAC

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Transcript of Christopher Finkelmeyer-OAC