Glenn Miller Orchestra Performs at The Center for Perf Arts at GSU 5/15

The Glenn Miller Orchestra turns back the clock to the 1940s on Saturday, May 15 at
3 p.m. for the final show of The Center for Performing Art's at Governors State University's 15th Anniversary season. The orchestra sold out its 2008 engagement at The Center, bringing the audience to its feet with swinging hits from the Big Band era. Single tickets are now on sale, starting at just $23 and available at centertickets.net or by calling The Center's friendly Box Office staff at (708) 235-2222.

Theatergoers are also welcome to participate in The Center's new post-show dining option at Scrementi's, 3760 Chicago Road, Steger, Ill. This option offers patrons the opportunity to enjoy a delicious pre-fixe menu that includes salad, beef, pasta, chicken, coffee and dessert for $25 per person. Advance reservations are required; call The Center at (708) 235-2222.

The Glenn Miller Orchestra is currently under the direction of Trombonist Larry O'Brien (of South Bend, Ind.). For the band's show at The Center, 19 musicians and vocalists from across the country will perform timeless favorites such as "In the Mood," "Tuxedo Junction," "Chattanooga Choo Choo," "Moonlight Serenade," "String of Pearls," "Pennsylvania 6-5000" and more.

Glenn Miller became the director of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra in 1934 after playing trombone for years with noted musicians such as Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Bing Crosby. In 1938, Miller created the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and the band broke audience attendance records wherever they played. Their hit record "Tuxedo Junction" sold 115,000 copies in its first week of release. When Miller was inducted in to the army in 1942, he created the Glenn Miller Army band which played more than 800 performances in its first year. In 1944, Glenn Miller boarded a plane to Europe and was never seen again. The 1953 film "The Glenn Miller Story" starring Jimmy Stewart tells the tale of Glenn Miller's life from his early music career until his disappearance. In 2003, Miller posthumously received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Miller Estate authorized the formation of the present Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1956 under the direction of drummer Ray McKinley, who had become the unofficial leader of the Army Air Force Band after Miller's disappearance. Since then, other leaders have followed including clarinetists Buddy DeFranco and Peanuts Huncko, tenor saxophonist Dick Gerhart, and trombonists Buddy Morrow, Jimmy Henderson and current musical director Larry O'Brien. The 19-member band continues to play many of the originAl Miller arrangements that delight fans to this day. Additionally, they are playing more modern selections in the big-band style, carefully selecting only those newer tunes that lend themselves naturally to the signature Glenn Miller sound. The repertoire, which now exceeds 1,700 compositions, keeps the band popular with both young and old.

Ticket Information

The Glenn Miller Orchestra performs at The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University Saturday, May 15 at 3 p.m. Single tickets and subscriptions for The Center's 15th Anniversary 2009-2010 Season are currently on sale. Single tickets are $23 - $43. For single ticket and subscription information call The Center 's friendly Box Office staff at
(708) 235-2222 or visit centertickets.net. Buy one, get one free tickets are available at the box office two hours prior to curtain for one hour only, based upon availability. For group ticket (parties of 20 or more) information, call (800) 386-6321. The Center is located at 1 University Parkway (Governors Highway and University Parkway), 45 minutes south of the Loop, off I-57 at Sauk Trail. Parking is free.

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