Member Spotlight: Ron Arden, Conductor and Artistic Director, Orchestra Revivo
Lake/Forest Lake Bluff Chamber: Tell us about Orchestra Revivo and what makes it unique?
Ron Arden: With years of professional conducting/creative partnerships under my belt – both orchestral and choral, I have always dreamed of combining a professional classical ensemble with a state-of-the-art pops venue and offering it to accompany other great performing arts teams. All of this has happened in our very first season and it is a dream come true. We have done 4 national tours of Swan Lake with World Ballet and forged a partnership with The Ten Hotel/Conference Center in Gurnee. Not only will we be continuing with World Ballet, but we will be offering a wide range of both contemporary pop/musical theater music with classical greats in a gorgeous setting where audiences can drink and eat if they choose. Our very own “Boston Pops”.
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LF/LB: Tell us a little about your musical journey and what inspired you to ultimately launch Orchestra Revivo?
RA: I have been blessed, as a conductor/violist/singer, to do a wide range of performing, educating, and nurturing the arts wherever I have lived – both with volunteers and professionals. It goes without saying that I love many genres of music – from Bach to Rock. So that is what people will get when we are together for great music making. As a young kid, I fell in love with variety – music of all kinds. I listened to classic rock, Tchaikovsky, R&B, Gospel, Jazz, and yes – even Country! Unlike most classically trained musicians, I have kept all that diversity alive in any way I could, and doors of opportunity have opened for me that I never could have imagined. I especially am charged by American musical theater and film music because I believe our musical heritage as a nation is rooted there.
People in the area will know of other orchestras I created and led. They will know the road has been bumpy at times and that too fuels my vision. That is why the sub text for OR is “music that lives again”. There have been good hard lessons and my vision for OR is to be a first-class orchestra of passionate artists who want more than just a paycheck. Getting paid is good and important but OR will be more – more creativity from musicians learning and being involved – audiences stepping up to make it prosper and grow – keeping the programming vibrant and diverse. Revivo is Italian for revive and that is what we will do!
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LF/LB: What is your vision or hope for the future of Orchestra Revivo?
RA: There are a great many professional and volunteer ensembles in the region. To be successful, OR will need to be accessible, friendly, different, musically brilliant, and changing the artistic landscape for all who come into the performing space. I want every musical idea to be heard, audience members to be changed, and musicians to be proud of the end result. Musical revival!
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LF/LB: How does Orchestra Revivo plan to support and give back to the community?
RA: That has already been said in the previous paragraphs, but I would add that my passion is to educate and move audiences. People in the area know my bend toward the innovative and they know I want the whole family to come – so concerts are accessible and not too long. Businesses know that in exchange for their support, they reap premiums and benefits that help them be known. I am visible to the community and support others in the ever-growing world of entrepreneurs. If you talk to chambers of commerce, local faith communities, and educators, they know my heart is to find ways to partner together to make the arts thrive.
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LF/LB: Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or Orchestra Revivo?
RA: Yes! I want to say what I have said so many times from the podium over the years – a society cannot thrive without culture. Live music is essential to the health of mind, body, and spirit. Supporting musicians – being in the audience where you can experience magic and life changing musical drama – letting the sounds of great music wash your soul – these are the essentials of “music that lives again”. Orchestra Revivo will not disappoint on any of these powerful truths. I promise you - that is our mission.