Brian Patti offers over twenty years of professional musical experience, and has the distinction of being the third generation of orchestra leaders within the Patti family.

As a leader of his own orchestra, Brian has performed at conventions, political rallies, entertained at corporate events, benefits and society wedding receptions. The Brian Patti Orchestra highlights include the Grand Opening of the Chicago Convention Center and the Inaugural Ball for the New Chicago Symphony Orchestra Center.

As a recording artist, Brian has recreated clarinet styles of Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman for television and radio commercials. He is a featured soloist for a variety of ensembles in Chicago recording studios.

Rob Parton Band

Saxophones:  Ken Partyka, Matt Wiffler, Bill Overton, Alex Beltran, Jerry KiMuzio

Trombones:  Tom Garling, Tim Coffman, Dan Johnson, John Blane Bass Bone

Trumpets:  Rob Parton, Scott Wagstaff, Marques Carroll, Sam Lauritsen

Rhythm:  Bob Rummage Drums, Tim Fox Bass, Mike Pinto Guitar, Kevin O’Connell Piano

Leslie Beukelman Vocalist

Meet Stephen Boe Instrument: Violin, Concertmaster Years with PRFAS: 11 Favorite composer: Brahms Favorite movie: The Godfather Favorite book: Tai-Pan by James Clavell Favorite performer: Jascha Heifetz Most memorable musical experience: My father bringing home my first violin when I was 5 years old. Five desert island music picks: There is so much great music that I would not choose and instead listen to my memories music library

Meet Carl Johnston, Instrument: Violin Years with PRFAS: 20 years Favorite composer: Mozart Favorite movie: Auntie Mame Favorite book: Our Town Favorite performer: Jascha Heifetz Most memorable musical experience: Soloist with Charles Pickler and the Chicago Chamber Orchestra at the Leipzig Gewandhaus Five desert island music picks: Mahler – Symphony No. 1; Mozart – Symphony No. 41; Bruch – Scottish Fantasy; Richard Strauss – Four Last Songs; Tchaikovsky – Serenade for Strings

Meet Julian Pat Romane, Instrument: Principal Bass Years with PRFAS: 18 years Favorite composer: Bach, Mendelssohn, Korngold Favorite movie: Lord of the Rings Favorite book: Beekeeper’s Apprentice Favorite performer: Edgar Meyer Most memorable musical experience: I attended seven summers of Interlochen as a kid. The experience ran the gamut from Rostropovich to Ella Fitzgerald singing Stormy Weather during a downpour to meeting Van Cliburn. Five desert island music picks: Bach – Cello Suite No. 5; Copland – Appalachian Spring; Korngold – Violin Concerto; Mendelssohn – “Italian” Symphony; Stravinsky – The Rite of Spring

Meet Elizabeth Mazur-Johnson Instrument: Principal French Horn Years with PRFAS: 20+ years Favorite composer: Mozart Favorite movie: Once Favorite book: Great Expectations Favorite performer: Joan Sutherland Most memorable musical experience: Touring with Frank Sinatra Five desert island music picks: Mahler – Symphony No.4; Brahms – Symphony No. 1; Humperdinck – “Dream Pantomine” from Hansel and Gretel; Richard Strauss – Der Rosenkavalier; Beethoven – Symphony No. 6.

Meet Christine Due, Instrument: Principal Viola Years with PRFAS: 25+ years Favorite composer: J .S. Bach Favorite movie: Casablanca Favorite book: Memoirs of a Geisha Favorite performer: Wilhelm Furtwängler Most memorable musical experience: The first time I heard Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony: New York Philharmonic with Leonard Bernstein conducting. Paired with Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring”, it was a magical evening for a 14-year-old. Five desert island music picks: Bach – B minor Mass; Bach – St. Matthew Passion; Beethoven – Symphony No. 9; Richard Strauss – Four Last Songs; Bernstein – West Side Story

Meet Elizabeth Huffman, Instrument: Violin, Assistant Concertmaster Years with PRFAS: 6 years Favorite composer: Brahms, Prokofiev, Beethoven Favorite movie: Moonstruck Favorite book: Jitterbug Perfume; The Time Traveler’s Wife; Water For Elephants Favorite performer: William Preucil, Jr. Most memorable musical experience: Performing with the Cleveland Orchestra during the Blossom Music Festival. As part of the collective sound of the best string section in the world was incredible. Five desert island music picks: Brahms – Symphony No. 2; Prokofiev – Romeo And Juliet; Beethoven – Symphony No. 7; Hall and Oates – “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do);” Cee lo Green – “Forget You”

7/13/2012

Conductor Jim Setapen and several of our Park Ridge Symphony Musicians in City Hall after a wet friday at Hodges Park “Concert in the Park”.