Published Articles

The Cincinnati Enquirer (Wednesday, April 3, 1996) Jim Knippenberg, PSST! "Bull Sessions Bear New Area Orchestra"  

Here's something you don't see every day: An instant orchestra, born of a bunch of bull sessions last fall and ready to debut any minute.

Right, says spokesman Fred Martens. The idea behind the Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra is to assemble a bunch of local musicians - all professionally trained and vets of several other groups - who love to play and want to do it in a full orchestra.

Music lovers will recognize faces in the new group: Martens (clarinet) is one of the musicians behind Epic Winds and Vampires at Play; conductor Dave Allen is well-known on the west side (Elder High School Glee Club, Seton/Elder Series at Eight, Starlight Singers); concertmaster Gail Harmeling and group president Kathleen Klug are also familiar faces on stage.

"It's a leap of faith for us," Martens says, "but it's going to work. We're a bunch of strong-willed musicians." The all-volunteer group -- retirees to college students - -is looking to a four-concert season with a few outdoor dates, too. First concert -- free -- is 7 p.m. April 28 at Seton High School.

Note that location. It's one of the unique things about the orchestra: it's one of the first to call the west side home.

The Western Hills Press (Wednesday, April 24, 1996) "Orchestra Debuts at Seton High"

Cincinnati's newest orchestra will make its performance debut at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 28, in the Seton High School auditorium, Glenway and Beech avenues. The Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra, founded in January, is comprised of area musicians who were looking for a way to pool their friendships and talents, said orchestra president Kathy Klug.

The free debut concert will feature Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 (Eroica), selections from the Broadway musical "South Pacific," Grundman's arrangement of "Second American Folk Rhapsody," and other pieces.

Conductor David F. Allen doubles as music director at St. William Church and teaches at Elder High School. "From the start I knew this would be a good group. Besides, I've had the pleasure of conducting so many of them before," he said. "They seem to be a nice group of friends who enjoy playing music together."

The CMO is member-supported, although the group is seeking individual and business sponsors. Anyone interested in helping sponsor the orchestra may contact Kathy Klug at 941-8956 or concertmaster Gail Harmeling at 921-4919.

The Harrison Press (Wednesday, April 24, 1996) Ollie Roehm, Editor "Harrison Couple Making Beautiful Music Together"

Thanks to the formation of the the new Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra, Richard and Kathy McNutt will get to enjoy making music together.The McNutts, of Harrison, are members of the the Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra, a full orchestra that will play a variety of music from popular show tunes to classical favorites. The 65-member orchestra formed in January and will make its debut on Sunday, April 28, at the Seton High School auditorium, corner of Glenway and Beech Avenues in Price Hill.

Richard, music teacher at Bright Elementary School and choir director at St. John's School in Harrison, plays trumpet. Kathy plays viola and is a math/science teacher at Queen of Peace School in Hamilton.

Both had key roles in forming the orchestra, which is comprised of a cross section of people, from retirees to college students. Orchestra members come from throughout the Greater Cincinnati area. "Several of us, about 12-15 people, were really the core while this was being formed," Kathy said.

Richard is a busy part-time musician who has worked in various productions for Cincinnati Music Theatre and the Footlighters of Newport, Kentucky. He has taught in the Sunman Dearborn school system for 22 years.

Kathy occasionally performs for various community theatre projects and is a member of her church's choir. She said she looks forward to the challenges of the CMO's repertoire. "Both of us like a lot of variety, Kathy said. Richard said the Seton High School auditorium will continue to serve as the orchestra's main concert location and rehearsal hall.

The April 28 performance is free and begins at 7:00 p.m. The orchestra will present "Symphony No. 3 (Eroica)" by Beethoven, excerpts from the Broadway musical "South Pacific," Grundman's "Second American Folk Rhapsody" and several other selections.

The CMO is member-supported but looking for sponsors. Any business or individual interested in sponsorship should contact CMO president Kathy Klug at 941-3297. Donations are accepted after concerts.

The Florence Recorder (Thursday, July 11, 1996) "CMO to Present Free Concert in Presidents Park"

The Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra will present a free outdoor concert in Presidents Park in Edgewood at 7:30 p.m. July 16. Featured are classics, light classics, jazz and patriotic music. Vocals are by the singing quartet, the Jazz Connection, with big-band songs. Members of the CMO from the area include Dottie Peeke and Ruth Higdon, both of Fort Mitchell; Leola Waller of Verona; Lisa Holt of Florence; and Constance Sanders of Bellevue.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket for the Tuesday night concert. For more information, call 941-8956.

The Cincinnati Enquirer (Sunday, July 14, 1996) Janelle Gelfand, Classical Music "Leap of Faith"

Its repertoire ranges from classical to Duke Ellington, and it is in demand. Since forming this spring, the Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra has played a debut concert, a church dedication, a graduation ceremony, and a country club soiree. "We generally play a traditional classical menu, but because we try to reach a broader audience, it's not strictly pops or classical," clarinetist Fred Martens of East Walnut Hills says.

The 65-piece fledgling orchestra split off from the 66-year-old Cincinnati Civic Orchestra this year, formed its own board and found its own conductor, David F. Allen, music teacher at Elder High School and music director of St. William Church.

"The orchestra was a leap of faith to start with, but we've been blessed with lots of donated nuts and bolts," Mr. Martens says. He does the graphics; printing is donated. Seton High School, where the orchestra performs its season, provides music stands, percussion instruments, and other equipment. A library of more than 60 pieces of music was donated by former members if the now-defunct Terrace Park Pops.

Volunteer musicians come from all over the city, and strings are still needed. Interested musicians can call 941-8956.

For a glimpse of Cincinnati's newest orchestra, it plays at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Presidents Park, Edgewood, Kentucky. Featured are Aaron Copland's "Hoedown" from Rodeo, Leroy Anderson's "Blue Tango" and highlights from "Guys and Dolls." Information: 941-8956.

The Cincinnati Enquirer (October 28, 1997) Jim Knippenberg, PSST! "Close Call"

Meanwhile, up in Walnut Hills Friday, musician and artist Fred Martens gave the party that almost wasn't.

It was for the Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra and Seton/Elder Series at Eight. The two are teaming up on a concert production (a first for a community theatre) of "Les Miserables." But Dave Allen, director of both groups and bringing several cast principles to the party, had a flat on the way. A phone call later (one doesn't change tires in festive party garb) his car was atop a flatbed truck. That's how the cast arrived -- on a flatbed, looking like the Joad family in Grapes of Wrath. They do love an entrance.

The rest of the party covered war stories about getting rights to the show and a freebie preview with former Bob Braun singer Nancy James on "I Dreamed a Dream"; Seton music teacher Maribeth Samoya (insisting that she be called sultry) with a gutsy "On My Own"; Cincinnati Opera Chorus member Larry Reiring with a teary "Bring Him Home."

The show is November 15 and 16 at Seton High School. Call 251-3324.

City Beat  (November 13-19, 1997) Steve Ramos, Arts Beat "The Klug Family Singers"

It's a wet November evening, and the hallways at Seton High School are dark and quiet. Well, except for the Seton auditorium, where Elder alumnus Michael Heath slips in to listen to the sounds of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra (CMO).

A veteran of the Broadway stage, Heath was last seen in Cincinnati as part of the touring production of "Music of the Night: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber." On this occasion, however, Heath has returned home for more personal reasons. He's joining other Elder and Seton alumni in support of the Seton/Elder Series at Eight concerts that have been taking place in the Seton auditorium for more than 20 years.

This evening, though, is special. Per special arrangement, the Seton/Elder Series at Eight will present a special concert performance of the smash Broadway musical "Les Miserables." For the first time, the play's producers have made the show available to amateur groups. Dave Allen, a music teacher at Elder and the series' leader, found out about the show's availability and purchased the rights. Scheduled for performances at Seton at 8 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday, the Seton/ Elder Series at Eight is one of only three groups throughout America currently licensed to stage "Les Mis" --- even beating out an attempt by the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra to stage "Les Mis" itself.

Heath is not alone in his support for the series. He will be joined on stage by a crowd of Seton and Elder alumni, including five members of one Westside family. In fact, for Kathleen Klug and her four daughters, being in the Seton/Elder Series at Eight has become a family tradition.

Klug does more than just play violin for the CMO. She's also its president. Her love of music must be infectious, because joining her for "Les Mis" will be daughters Gail, Michelle, and Diane Klug, and Karen White. Like their mother, Karen and Gail are Seton alumni, while Michelle and Diane are currently students at the all-girls high school. White admits that the series is a popular Westside tradition and laughs when friends from other parts of town are ignorant about the long-running concert series.

Well-known for their musical and theatre programs, Elder and Seton have been teaming up for these concerts for some time. White says that the money raised has gone back into the schools' performing arts programs and that recent efforts are evident in the new sound system recently installed in the Seton auditorium.

The rights for "Les Mis" were substantially higher than what the Seton/Elder Series at Eight group is used to paying --- $3000, in fact ---but White says that the privilege of performing the piece at Seton made the cost worth it. The fact that only 20 seats remain for their two performances makes her confident that ticket sales will cover the added costs.

Still, White says her loyalty to Seton goes beyond the stage. Her husband is also a "purple bleeding" Elder grad who shares her love for music. In fact, he's in the show, too, playing the role of the innkeeper.

Now, after a series of late evening rehearsals, the four sisters gather at their parents' Harrow Avenue home to prepare for their big night. White says the only Klug who won't be on stage will be her father Louis, who she says doesn't have a single musical bone in his body. But you can bet that he'll be in the audience.

It's also a Westside guarantee that there will be more performances of the Seton/Elder Series at Eight, and you can count on seeing Kathleen Klug and her four daughters performing at every one.

The Cincinnati Enquirer  (November 19, 1997) Jim Knippenberg, PSST! "Stolen Vehicle Report Nearly Steals the Show"

And this from our file marked "2:30 a.m. Phone Calls Directors Love To Get From Leading Men": "Come help me, I'm in jail."

The call came to Dave Allen, director of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra and the Seton/Elder Series at Eight. Seems the groups, along with several singing alumni, teamed up in a concert version of "Les Miserables." They did two sold-out shows (800-ish each) last weekend, and had such ticket demand that people are talking another show. No word on that yet. But it came close to being the show that wasn't. Allen got his old friend and Broadway vet Michael Heath, another Elder alumnus, to come in for the Valjean role. Even got him a rental car so he could get around.

Fine. Until about midnight Friday. Seems the police had a stolen vehicle report with a typo. Wrong license number. Unfortunately, the wrong number matched Heath's plates. Next thing you know, there's a herd of police and Heath is cuffed, locked in a cruiser and hustled off to the station.

Hence the frantic call, then several more before the mess was cleared up with a round of apologies. And Heath's take on it? "Hey, I only stole one loaf of bread (Valjean's crime in Les Miz). Isn't this a little extreme?"

The Cincinnati Enquirer (Sunday, November 30, 1997) Jackie Demaline, TheArts "Groups Thank True Volunteers"

One of the definitions of not-for-profit arts is "volunteer." From the largest museum to the smallest community theatre, the arts couldn't exist without the thousands of people who work selflessly behind-the-scenes to make them happen.

Here are our thanks to a few of the people who have done some extraordinary things this year:

In 1997, the most calls came in about David F. Allen, conductor of the Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra, who realized a dream earlier this month. Mr. Allen was the motivating force behind one of only three concert versions of "Les Miserables" presented nationally by community theatre groups this year.

The entire event was virtually a volunteer effort, with 107 people on stage and more than 75 working backstage, Fred Martens

says. The sold-out show benefited the the Seton/Elder Series at Eight.

"It showed how we become more together than we are separately," says Mr. Martens, who adds that when Mr. Allen gets an honorarium for his work, "he gives it back to the orchestra." Adds Michael Heath, "The west side of town tradionally gets a bum rap. David Allen deserves so much credit, he's been an influence on so many people."  

(December 16, 1997) Jackie Demaline, The Arts "Broadway

Star Back for Benefit"

For those who didn't get to see D. Michael Heath in the sold-out concert version of Les Miz last month (benefiting the Seton/ Elder Series at Eight), you have another chance. Mr. Heath (Elder High School Class of '71 and University of Cincinnati Class of '75) made his Broadway debut in the original cast of "Starlight Express" and was last seen locally stealing the show from Betty Buckley in the national tour of "Music of the Night."

He returns home for a one-night stand Jan 10 in the 1998 edition of "Back to Broadway," benefiting Caracole at the College of Mount St. Joseph. The 90-minute revue includes selections from "Jesus Christ

Superstar", "Singing in the Rain", "Evita", and "South Pacific."

Mr. Heath says he'll be back "because of the cause," which provides housing for people living with HIV/AIDS. He's planning to sing show-stoppers from "Kiss of the Spider Woman" and "Jekyll and Hyde". Mr. Heath is doing auditions back home in Manhattan and happily reports call-backs for "Ragtime" and "Titanic". "Back to Broadway" tickets --$20, $65 patron -- include dinner before the show. For more information and reservations, call 761-1480.

The benefit "Les Miz "concert raised $9,000 toward the estimated $100,000 needed for a new lighting system for the school's theatre.  

The Harrison Press (Wednesday, March 18, 1998) "Harrison Residents to Perform with Orchestra"

The Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra will present "Music of Festivities" on Sunday, March 22, at 7 p.m. at the Seton High School Performance Hall, corner of Glen way and Beech avenues. David F. Allen conducts the music of celebrations by Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, Chabrier, Handel, Elgar, and more. Harrison residents Christy Donham, Kathy McNutt and Richard McNutt are members of the orchestra.

Admission is free. Call (513) 941-8956 for more information.

The Recorder Newspapers (Thursday, July 2, 1998) Weekend Connection "Presidents Park Salute" (with photo by Mel Whitehead)

Last month, conductor David F. Allen led the Cincinnati Metropolitan Orchestra in a concert at Fort Thomas' Tower Park. This coming week, the CMO will perform one of its free summer lawn concerts to celebrate the City of Edgewood's 50th anniversary, part of the Tuesday Evening Concert Series. It's at 7 p.m. July 7 at Presidents Park, Dudley Road at Turkeyfoot. A lawn chair or a blanket is suggested. For more information, 941-8956.