Music Box: Glenn Miller Orchestra in Pinedale

By Aaron Davis (for JHWeekly.com)Though its founder and mastermind, Glenn Miller, mysteriously disappeared after boarding a transport plane to Paris in 1944 only to be presumed dead, the Glenn Miller Orchestra has been going strong since its reboot in 1956.Amazingly, the band had no less than 72 Top 10 hits before Miller’s death. During the era of Miller’s Army Air Force Band, the group performed more than 800 times in less than a year. Of these, 500 were broadcasts heard by millions.That alone gives us a glimpse into the cultural and historical impression that this big band has made since forming more than 75 years ago. But it wasn’t successful until Miller’s breakthrough realization. After disbanding the group for a brief time in 1937, Miller had a disheartening stint that wound up producing the idea that would set the band apart from the others – to have the clarinet holding the melodic line while the tenor sax plays the same note, and supported harmonically by three other saxophones. Record-breaking recordings followed, including “Tuxedo Junction,” “In the Mood” and “Chattanooga Choo Choo.”As of earlier this year, the 18-member touring group plays about 300 shows a year and is under the new direction of singer Nick Hilscher, who holds a bachelor’s of music in piano performance from Samford University. Fans have commented that the band has been “re-energized” by Hilscher and is as classy as ever. In 2010, he released a big band solo album, Young and Foolish, featuring the music of Hank Williams Sr., Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Roger Miller and others.According to Larry O’Brien, former musical director of the Glenn Miller Orchestra, “[Nick] brings so much authenticity to the role of romantic balladeer.”Vocalist Eileen Burns will also be featured prominently during the orchestra show. She discovered a love for the stage after landing a small role in the chorus of a local community theater in South Bend, Ind. Burns was further noticed as a member of the original cast of “The Midnight Martini Show” at Pickwick and Frolic in downtown Cleveland – a glitzy, Rat Pack-style show that ran every Friday and Saturday night for five years.“I have a list of all our seasons since 1976 when Pinedale Fine Arts Council (PFAC) presented its first performance, and we have never had a big band, so we jumped on the opportunity when it presented itself two years ago,” said Dana Tully, PFAC executive director. “I don’t usually like to make a commitment that far in advance especially for a fall show since we have no idea about homecoming, high school football, etc., which is a pretty important consideration in a small, rural community.“When PFAC first started, the performances were in a gym and lights, etc., were stored in a footlocker in the basement. Everything had to be lugged out, set up, broken down and then lugged back again. That all changed when the auditorium was built in ’88 or ’89. The school has been wonderful about continually upgrading the sound and light equipment so we have been able to present more technically challenging programs. Not only have our public performances progressed but so have our school residencies covering dance, film, poetry and theatre.”PFAC presents Glenn Miller Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Friday, in the Pinedale Auditorium. Advance tickets $13, or $7 students. Add $2 for tickets purchased at the door. 307-367-7322; PinedaleFineArts.com.