A Schirmer Theatrical/Greenberg Artists Co-Production Arrangements by Jeff Tyzik
Friday, March 27, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 2:30 pm
ALLEN-BRADLEY HALL
Byron Stripling, conductor
Brie Cassil, vocalist
Paul Loren, vocalist
Colin Smith, vocalist
Oscar Rodriguez, guitar
Eric Metzgar, drums
JOHN COLLA, CHRIS HAYES, AND HUEY LEWIS
The Power of Love
JANNA ALLEN AND DARYL HALL
Kiss on My List
JACKIE DESHANNON AND DONNA WEISS
Bette Davis Eyes
MARTIN PAGE AND BERNIE TAUPIN
These Dreams
WILL JENNINGS, JACK NITZSCHE, AND BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE
Up Where We Belong
ANNIE LENNOX AND DAVID STEWART
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
BILLY JOEL
Tell Her About It
ROB HYMAN AND CYNDI LAUPER
Time After Time
ELTON JOHN AND BERNIE TAUPIN
I’m Still Standing
INTERMISSION
PHIL COLLINS AND HUGH PADGHAM
Sussudio
MICK HUCKNALL AND NEIL MOSS
Holding Back the Years
ROBERT PALMER
Addicted to Love
RICHARD MARX
Right Here Waiting
GEORGE MERRILL AND SHANNON RUBICAM
I Wanna Dance With Somebody
CHRIS HUGHES, IAN STANLEY, AND ROLAND ORZABAL
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
PETER BROWN AND ROBERT RANS
Material Girl
DEBBIE GIBSON (I Get) Lost in Your Eyes
JOHN DENICOLA, DONAL MARKOWITZ, AND FRANKE PREVITE
I’ve Had the Time of My Life
WILL JENNINGS AND STEVE WINWOOD
Higher Love
ALL ARRANGEMENTS LICENSED BY SCHIRMER THEATRICAL, LLC
Creative Team
Jeff Tyzik, Producer & Arranger
Jami Greenberg, Producer & Booking Agent
Alex Kosick, Producer
Robert Thompson, Producer
Betsey Perlmutter, Producer
Evie Miller, Assistant Producer
For more information on the music and artists featured in Decades: Back to the 80s, use the QR code below to access the digital concert program.
This weekend’s media sponsor is WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO
The length of this concert is approximately 2 hours. All programs are subject to change.
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra can be heard on the Naxos, Telarc, Koss Classics, ProArte, AVIE, and Vox/Turnabout labels. MSO Classics recordings are available for digital streaming and download on Spotify, Apple Music, and more.
Guest Artist Biographies
BRIE CASSIL
Brie Cassil is a versatile singer, actor, and composer who has captivated audiences worldwide with her remarkable talent. As a child in Missouri, she nurtured her passion for music by performing in school shows and with her high school orchestra. After graduating, she embarked on a bold journey to New York City, where she has graced the stages of numerous musical productions.
Cassil’s versatility is evident in her portrayal of iconic characters like Mimi in Rent, Little Sally in Urinetown, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, and Suzy in the off-Broadway cast of The Marvelous Wonderettes. Her remarkable ability to seamlessly transition between various musical styles, including rock, opera, pop, and musical theater, has allowed her to perform on some of the world’s most prestigious stages.
From leading musical workshops in Brazil to opening for renowned artists like Adler, Cassil’s international performances have taken her across the globe. She has had the privilege of performing on the grand stages of hundreds of theaters, including the iconic Nassau Coliseum and the legendary Carnegie Hall.
Driven by her deep gratitude for the opportunity to pursue her passion and share her voice with the world, Cassil continues to travel and perform, spreading joy and inspiration through her music.
PAUL LOREN
At a young age, singer-songwriter Paul Loren fell in love with the classic sounds of New York oldies radio and the Great American Songbook. With his throwback voice, tailored sense of style, and twinkle-in-his-eye personality, Loren has since won over fans and devotees around the world.
Loren launched his solo career in early 2014 with a string of sold-out shows in New York City at the famed venue Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater, accompanied by his “One-Night-Only Band.” His first solo single, “All By Myself,” released in 2015, was supported by SiriusXM and terrestrial radio stations in markets such as Nashville, Seattle, Charleston, and Philadelphia.
During this time, Loren was personally selected by Jennifer Lopez to perform at her birthday gala in Las Vegas. He appeared on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, partnered with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, performed at the legendary STAX Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, and recorded in the world-renowned Sun Studio. Loren and his band have been permanent fixtures at storied venues such as the Rainbow Room, the Dinah Shore residence in Palm Springs, Cipriani, Hotel Chelsea in New York, the SLS Hotel in Las Vegas, and performance halls from Rio de Janeiro to Rome.
He has opened for and supported touring artists such as The Temptations, singer-songwriter Brendan James, American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, folk singer and guitarist David Bromberg, and British soul singer James Hunter, and has shared the stage with Paul Shaffer, Queen Latifah, Christie Brinkley, and culinary personality Giada De Laurentiis. Showcasing his unique style and sound, Loren has partnered with many legacy brands, including Cartier, Target, Squarespace, Campari, and Nordstrom.
Guest Artist Biographies
Since 2018, Loren has performed with orchestras across the U.S. and Canada, leading pops shows with a diverse repertoire, including “Legends: The Paul Simon Songbook,” both The Beatles’ “Revolution” and “Twist & Shout,” and “Decades: Back to the 80s.”
Launching his own orchestral show, “Come Swing With Me!” in 2024, Loren brings his first love of Great American Songbook standards and mid-century big band music to the symphony stage, sharing timeless classics by Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and his own original music with audiences across the country.
Currently based in Nashville, Tennessee, Loren continues to write and record his own material in addition to producing music for other artists at his studio, Realtone Ranch. To date, his music has been streamed tens of millions of times, and his songs can be heard in major motion pictures, television shows, and ad campaigns.
COLIN SMITH
Colin Smith is an Irish-born vocalist and guitarist whose dynamic career spans multiple decades and genres. Born in Dublin, he first gained recognition as the frontman of the alternative rock band MrNorth. Under RCA Records, the band toured extensively, sharing stages with renowned acts such as The Who, Van Halen, Sheryl Crow, and Journey, and performing at festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza.
As a solo artist, Smith has collaborated with industry luminaries such as Alicia Keys, Adele, and Christina Aguilera. He toured globally with Aguilera from 2014 to 2019, performing the Grammy Award-winning duet “Say Something” and providing background vocals. His versatile vocal talents were also showcased over three seasons on Saturday Night Live
Smith’s original compositions have been featured in major motion pictures and television series, including appearances on the soundtracks for The Lincoln Lawyer, the BBC’s Being Human, and Lucifer, as well as on the City of Lies soundtrack in collaboration with Joe Perry of Aerosmith.
In his solo endeavors, Smith released his debut album The Wilderness in 2009 and followed it with The Candles EP in 2023, reflecting his growth as a singer-songwriter. Singles like “Is It Ever Now” and “The Tree” have achieved international success, with the former reaching number one on the Irish Alternative iTunes chart and number eight overall in Ireland. He is currently writing and recording a new full-length project, slated for release in 2026.
Beyond his recording career, Smith co-founded the Sounds from the Cellar podcast alongside the Olive Tree Madmen. Recorded live at New York City’s Olive Tree Café, the podcast features candid conversations and performances with guest artists, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into the creative process, with past episodes including discussions with Lalah Hathaway and Peter Gunz.
Smith’s versatility also extends to symphonic and theatrical performances. As a Greenberg Artist, he has been a featured vocalist in productions such as “Revolution: The Music of The Beatles,” “Twist & Shout,” “Decades: Back to the 80s,” and “The New Wave,” collaborating with various symphonies throughout the U.S. Looking ahead, he is preparing to make his screen debut in both television and film, opening a new chapter in his career.
Guest Artist Biographies
OSCAR RODRIGUEZ
A producer, engineer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter, Oscar Rodriguez grew up in Rhode Island, graduated with a jazz guitar degree from New York University, and made Brooklyn his home base in 2000. Since then, he’s played every DIY venue and basement in North America with his punk and hardcore bands De La Hoya and Nakatomi Plaza, freelanced with innumerable New York City singer-songwriters and bands, performed in Broadway musicals (most notably Hedwig and The Angry Inch), and toured the world with the Grammy Award-winning duo A Great Big World.
Oscar started producing and engineering at Russell Street Recording in 2013 and soon after began collaborating with Zach Jones. Since then, the two have played in each other’s bands (Albis and Zach Jones & the Tricky Bits) and have co-produced records for artists such as Jenny Owen Youngs, Elizabeth Wyld, Hannah Winkler, Talay, Jesse Dylan & the Scaredy Cats, and A Great Big World. On his own, Oscar’s production credits include Jukebox the Ghost, Jon the Guilt, and Rikki Will. He’s also written and produced hundreds of songs for the YouTube audio library, the Facebook sound collection, Marmoset Music, and Premium Beat and is a co-founder of the music and media collective Track Tribe. oscaralbisrodriguez.com
ERIC METZGAR
Eric Metzgar is an in-demand drummer and versatile collaborator who offers his musicianship to various jazz and pop artists and symphony orchestras worldwide. He has had the opportunity to play with numerous first-rate performers, including Jeff Tyzik, Sutton Foster, Joe Locke, Jimmy Greene, Shayna Steele, Byron Stripling, and Delfeayo Marsalis.
Metzgar is a passionate educator deeply invested in music teaching and learning. Each summer, he teaches at the Cape Ann Jazz Workshop under the direction of saxophonist Alexa Tarantino. He maintains a private studio and serves as a clinician at grade schools and universities.
Metzgar holds a Bacher of Music degree in Drum Set Performance and a Master of Music degree in Music Teaching and Learning from the Eastman School of Music. He lives in New York City and tours frequently around the world.
2025.26 SEASON
KEN-DAVID MASUR
Music Director
Polly and Bill Van Dyke Music Director Chair
EDO DE WAART
Music Director Laureate
BYRON STRIPLING
Principal Pops Conductor
Stein Family Foundation Principal Pops Conductor Chair
RYAN TANI
Associate Conductor
CHERYL FRAZES HILL
Chorus Director
Margaret Hawkins Chorus Director Chair
TIMOTHY J. BENSON
Assistant Chorus Director
FIRST VIOLINS
Jinwoo Lee, Concertmaster, Charles and Marie Caestecker Concertmaster Chair
Ilana Setapen, First Associate Concertmaster, Thora M. Vervoren First Associate Concertmaster Chair
Jeanyi Kim, Associate Concertmaster
Alexander Ayers
Autumn Chodorowski
Yuka Kadota
Elliot Lee
Dylana Leung
Kyung Ah Oh
Lijia Phang
Vinícius Sant’Ana**
Yuanhui Fiona Zheng
SECOND VIOLINS
Jennifer Startt, Principal, Andrea and Woodrow Leung Principal Second Violin Chair
Ji-Yeon Lee, Assistant Principal (2nd chair)
Hyewon Kim, Acting Assistant Principal (3rd chair)
Heejeon Ahn
Lisa Johnson Fuller
Clay Hancock
Paul Hauer
Sheena Lan**
Janis Sakai**
Yiran Yao
VIOLAS
Victor de Almeida, Principal, Richard O. and Judith A. Wagner Family Principal Viola Chair
Samantha Rodriguez, Acting Assistant Principal (2nd chair), Friends of Janet F. Ruggeri Assistant Principal Viola Chair
Alejandro Duque, Acting Assistant Principal (3rd chair)
Elizabeth Breslin
Georgi Dimitrov
Nathan Hackett
Michael Lieberman**
Erin H. Pipal
CELLOS
Susan Babini, Principal, Dorothea C. Mayer Principal Cello Chair
Shinae Ra, Assistant Principal (2nd chair)
Scott Tisdel, Associate Principal Emeritus
Madeleine Kabat
Peter Szczepanek
Peter J. Thomas
Adrien Zitoun
BASSES
Principal, Donald B. Abert Principal Bass Chair
Andrew Raciti, Acting Principal
Nash Tomey, Acting Assistant Principal (2nd chair)
Brittany Conrad
Broner McCoy
Paris Myers
HARP
Julia Coronelli, Principal, Walter Schroeder Principal Harp Chair
FLUTES
Sonora Slocum, Principal, Margaret and Roy Butter Principal Flute Chair
Heather Zinninger, Assistant Principal
Jennifer Bouton Schaub
PICCOLO
Jennifer Bouton Schaub
OBOES
Katherine Young Steele, Principal, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra League Principal Oboe Chair
Kevin Pearl, Assistant Principal
Margaret Butler
ENGLISH HORN
Margaret Butler, Philip and Beatrice Blank English Horn Chair in memoriam to John Martin
CLARINETS
Todd Levy, Principal, Franklyn Esenberg Principal Clarinet Chair
Jay Shankar, Assistant Principal, Donald and Ruth P. Taylor Assistant Principal Clarinet Chair
Besnik Abrashi
E-FLAT CLARINET
Jay Shankar
BASS CLARINET
Besnik Abrashi
BASSOONS
Catherine Van Handel, Principal, Muriel C. and John D. Silbar Family Principal Bassoon Chair*
Rudi Heinrich, Acting Principal
Matthew Melillo
CONTRABASSOON
Matthew Melillo
HORNS
Matthew Annin, Principal, Krause Family Principal French Horn Chair
Krystof Pipal, Associate Principal
Dietrich Hemann, Andy Nunemaker French Horn Chair
Darcy Hamlin
Dawson Hartman
TRUMPETS
Matthew Ernst, Principal, Walter L. Robb Family Principal Trumpet Chair
David Cohen, Associate Principal, Martin J. Krebs Associate Principal Trumpet Chair
Tim McCarthy, Fred Fuller Trumpet Chair
TROMBONES
Megumi Kanda, Principal, Marjorie Tiefenthaler Principal Trombone Chair
Kirk Ferguson, Assistant Principal
BASS TROMBONE
John Thevenet, Richard M. Kimball Bass Trombone Chair
TUBA
Robyn Black, Principal, John and Judith Simonitsch Principal Tuba Chair
TIMPANI
Dean Borghesani, Principal
Chris Riggs, Assistant Principal
PERCUSSION
Robert Klieger, Principal Chris Riggs
PIANO
Melitta S. Pick Endowed Piano Chair
PERSONNEL
Antonio Padilla Denis, Director of Orchestra Personnel
Paris Myers, Assistant Manager of Orchestra Personnel
LIBRARIANS
Paul Beck, Principal Librarian, James E. Van Ess Principal Librarian Chair
Matthew Geise, Assistant Librarian & Media Archivist
PRODUCTION
Tristan Wallace, Production Manager/Live Audio
Lisa Sottile, Production Stage Manager
* Leave of absence during the 2025.26 season
** Acting member of the MSO for the 2025.26 season
