CONNECT WITH THE SYMPHONY!

ASHFORD UNIVERSITY SUMMER POPS PRESENTS
STAR SPANGLED POPS WITH MARVIN HAMLISCH

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 7:30PM
SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 7:30PM
SUNDAY, JULY 1, 7:30PM

JOHN STAFFORD SMITH AND   “The Star-Spangled Banner”
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY                      Von Smith, vocals                                                                              

LEROY ANDERSON                    Bugler’s Holiday                                           
                                                            SDSO Trumpet section

GEORGE M. COHAN                   George M. Cohan Salute
                                                            San Diego Master Chorale

MACK GORDON AND HARRY WARREN     “At Last”
                                                            Gina Glocksen, vocals

FRANK WILDHORN                     “A New Life” from Jekyll & Hyde

                                                            Von Smith, vocals

RICHARD HAYMAN                      “Pops” Hoe-Down

STEPHEN SCHWARTZ               “Defying Gravity” from Wicked
                                                            Gina Glocksen, vocals

ARR. CALVIN CUSTER                American Frontier

LEE GREENWOOD/                    “God Bless the U.S.A.”
ARR. BRUCE DONNELLY                Gina Glocksen, vocals

                                                            Von Smith, vocals

SAMUEL WARD/                          “America the Beautiful”
ARR. CARMEN DRAGON                San Diego Master Chorale

                                                                   -- INTERMISSION --                                                                                                   

MORTON GOULD                        American Salute

WILLIAM STEFFE AND JULIA HOWE/    “Battle Hymn of the Republic”
ARR. PETER WILHOUSKY               San Diego Master Chorale

STEPHEN SCHWARTZ               “For Good” from Wicked
                                                            Gina Glocksen, vocals

                                                            Von Smith, vocals

ARR. RICHARD HAYMAN            Servicemen on Parade

JOHN PHILIP SOUSA                   The Stars and Stripes Forever

IRVING BERLIN/                           “God Bless America”
ARR. JAMES KESSLER                    San Diego Master Chorale

Gina Glocksen is best known as the 9th place finalist of the 6th season of the mega-hit television show American Idol. Although Gina was often referred to as the ‘rocker chick,’ her musical influences and abilities range far beyond the realm of rock. Gina’s original music infuses the passion and attitude of a rock-n-roll rebel with precision and soul of the modern ‘diva’. Since her time on Idol, Gina has toured North America on the ‘American Idols Live Tour’ and continues to perform around the country showcasing her original music.

While on the show, Gina’s genuine candor and charming wit made her a favorite of millions which helped her to continue her career in entertainment as co-host on the FOX Reality show American Idol Extra during the 2008 season.  

In the fall of 2008 Gina moved back to Chicago to focus on writing and recording. She spent much of her time in Nashville working with credited song writers like Adam Smith and fellow Idol contestant Chris Sligh. Her original music combines a dynamic mix of pop and rock driven by passionate and unforgettable vocals. In March of 2011, her first single, “Superhero,” was released. Gina performed in several cities last spring (including with the San Diego Symphony) in “Ballroom with a Twist.”

Glocksen’s captivating personality, edgy style, and unforgettable voice have helped the world to see that this girl is a talent that can’t be ignored and she promises her fans that the music will be well worth the wait.

First introduced to the world when his version of "And I Am Telling You (I'm Not going)" from Dreamgirls became a sensation on YouTube, Von Smith has garnered a legion of fans and has performed on some of the most celebrated stages in the U.S. including ABC's The View (by personal invitation of Rosie O'Donnell), BET's 106th and Park, MTV News, VH1's Best Week Ever, E Entertainment Television's The Soup, TV Azteca's La Academia, and perhaps the biggest stage, American Idol Season 8 as one of the top 17 finalists. When he's not rocking out on national stages across the country with fellow idol buddies, Von has been seen around the Los Angeles area in several “Upright Cabaret” productions, as well as leading roles in an LA-based series of shows called "For The Record," paying tribute to the soundtrack songs and iconic moments from films by noted directors such as Quentin Tarantino, John Hughes, Baz Luhrman and Paul Thomas Anderson. Look for Von on Nigel Lythgoe's newest TV show Opening Act on E!, airing every Monday starting July 9, where he will fulfill his dream of opening for a pop music icon.