John Morris News

July 5th marks the global release of the latest Cincinnati Pops Orchestra recording, Voyage, under the direction of Pops Conductor John Morris Russell. The first studio recording made at Cincinnati Music Hall following a major renovation draws inspiration from the stars and includes the world premiere recording of the title track by Academy Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino. His composition, Voyage, was co-commissioned by the Cincinnati Pops and the National Symphony Orchestra and commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing and the historic "giant leap for mankind."

For the seventh year in a row, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and Cincinnati Pops are pleased to continue a collaboration with the combined orchestras and bands of Indian Hill, Mariemont and Madeira High Schools. This collaboration is a unique, enriching experience for the students in these three districts who receive coaching from CSO musicians and Pops Conductor John Morris Russell, while playing in a larger ensemble with students from other districts.

LA DAMA DE NEGRO México...una dama que cumple sus primeros 25 años.

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) announced the retirement of Concertmaster Emeritus Timothy Lees, who had stepped down as Concertmaster, at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season in August. Mr. Lees, who began his tenure with the CSO in June of 1998, became Concertmaster Emeritus in September and remained a member of the CSO's first violin section, but a persistent injury prevented him from performing with the Orchestra.

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and Conductor John Morris Russell announce the details of the Pops' 2019-20 season at Music Hall, presented by PNC. The season features nine subscription programs, additional concerts, and the Lollipops Family Series.

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and Music Director Louis Langree announced details of the much-anticipated 125th Anniversary Season beginning in September at Music Hall. The 2019-20 season welcomes acclaimed guest artists including Renee Fleming, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Artist-in-Residence Guy Braunstein and Grammy winner Isabel Leonard, among others. The season includes performances of Beethoven's legendary Akademie program, a fully staged production of Ravel's opera, L'Enfant et les sortileges, seven CSO commissions, five world premieres, three U.S. premieres, as well as an experimental new concert series titled CSO Proof. The 125th Anniversary Season marks the launch of new initiatives both on and off the stage that build on the CSO's legacy. Leading up to the season, the Orchestra presents CSO Look Around, a first-of-its-kind event celebrating community, diversity, and inclusivity on August 3.

“Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne make a wonderful comedy tag-team” (Mara Reinstein, US Weekly) in the “hilarious and heartwarming” (Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times) INSTANT FAMILY, arriving on Digital February 19, 2019 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD March 5 from Paramount Home Media Distribution.

On January 18, 19, and 20 Conductor John Morris Russell will lead the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra (CSO) in Pops in Space, a concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first manned lunar landing and humanity's love and fascination with all things celestial.

The New York Pops announces the appointment of Broadway star Capathia Jenkins to its Board of Directors. Capathia has previously appeared as a soloist with The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall on multiple occasions, including during the orchestra's R&B celebration in February 2018.

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra announced the November 9 release of its latest album, American Originals: 1918, under the direction of Pops Conductor John Morris Russell. The recording is inspired by America's cultural awakening at the end of the First World War one hundred years ago and the distinctly American musical styles that reflect the country's diversity. This album celebrates and reimagines popular songs of this era that remain fresh and relevant today with acclaimed musical collaborators including Rhiannon Giddens, Steep Canyon Rangers and Pokey LaFarge. The 95th Cincinnati Pops album was recorded live at Cincinnati Music Hall November 10- 12, 2017, and is being released on the Orchestra's label, Fanfare Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra announced the November 9 release of its latest album, American Originals: 1918, under the direction of Pops Conductor John Morris Russell. The recording is inspired by America's cultural awakening at the end of the First World War one hundred years ago and the distinctly American musical styles that reflect the country's diversity. This album celebrates and reimagines popular songs of this era that remain fresh and relevant today with acclaimed musical collaborators including Rhiannon Giddens, Steep Canyon Rangers and Pokey LaFarge. The 95th Cincinnati Pops album was recorded live at Cincinnati Music Hall November 10- 12, 2017, and is being released on the Orchestra's label, Fanfare Cincinnati.

Following extensive, highly competitive auditions, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) announced seven orchestra seats have been filled starting in the 2018-19 season and one position was filled in the final months of the 2017-18 season. Of the eight newly filled positions, five musicians are newly hired, two are CSO members who won new positions and one musician, Principal Trumpet Robert Sullivan, marks the return of a former member of the Orchestra. For the 2018-19 appointments, auditions were held between November 2017 and May 2018 and attracted candidates from around the world.

Telemundo announced today the premiere of “El Recluso” (The Inmate), the much anticipated prison thriller set to debut on Tuesday, September 25 at 10pm/9c. The 13-episode series starring Ignacio Serricchio (“Lost in Space,” “The Wedding Ringer,” “The Mule”) and Ana Claudia Talancón (“Love in the Time of Cholera,” “One Missed Call,” “El Crimen del Padre Amaro,” “Top Chef Mexico”), is based on the original hit Argentinian series, “El Marginal.” Produced by Telemundo International Studios, the series includes Director of Photography, Jaime Reynoso A.M.C. (“Aqui en La Tierra,” “Bloodline,” “Shooter,” “Ballers,” “The Glades,” and “Burn Notice”), and Oscar winning Production Designer, Brigitte Broch (“Moulin Rouge”). To view and download the key art and character photos, click here.

Bergen County Players (BCP), one of America's longest-running little theater companies, is proud to open its 86th season with the Tony Award-winning musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood.   With Book, Music and Lyrics written by Rupert Holmes, The Mystery of Edwin Drood is based on an unfinished novel by Charles Dickens. Under the direction of Steve Bell, The Mystery of Edwin Droodwill be performed at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell from September 8th through October 6th, 2018.  Shows will be on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200 or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell during regular box office hours. 

Paramount decided to move forward the release date of the Mark Wahlberg-Rose Byrne comedy INSTANT FAMILY, according to Variety. The film will now be released three months earlier than scheduled, on November 16th. Now set for a holiday release, it was previously set for February 15, 2019.

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) announced that Timothy Lees is stepping down as Concertmaster, a title designated for the first-chair violin, at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season. Mr. Lees, who began his tenure with the CSO in June of 1998, will become Concertmaster Emeritus in September, remaining a member of the CSO's first violin section.

A cherished tradition returns to Riverbend Music Center on the Fourth of July when the Cincinnati Pops presents the annual "Patriotic Pops" concert celebration. Entertaining for the whole family, John Morris Russell leads the family-friendly Pops performance also featuring the United States Army Chorus and local singer Adia Dobbins with Rozzi's Famous Fireworks after the concert. The Pops series is presented by PNC and kids 17 and under are free on the lawn thanks to Toyota.

The Utah Symphony today announced the lineup for the 2018 summer community concert series in Salt Lake City and surrounding areas, several of which feature outdoor venues. The schedule includes Gina Bachauer Piano Competition Finals on June 22 and 23 at 7 PM at Abravanel Hall, Gallivan Center on Monday June 25, Disney in Concert: "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" on June 27 and 28 at Abravanel Hall, the Utah Symphony at Snowbasin Resort on June 29 and August 7, the Utah Symphony at Thanksgiving Point on July 2, the Utah Symphony at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center on July 3, and Jenny Oaks Baker with the Utah Symphony on August 1 at Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre. Ticketing information is posted with each concert. No tickets are required for the Gallivan Center and Utah Cultural Celebration Center performances, which are free to the public. Tickets for the other performances are on sale now with ticketing information available at www.utahsymphony.org.

The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra will present the Star Wars: A New Hope In Concert featuring screenings of the complete film with Oscar-winning composer John Williams' musical score performed live with the film on September 7, 8 and 9 2018 at Cincinnati Music Hall. The three performances will be led by Cincinnati Pops conductor John Morris Russell.