Pops 3: A Bing Crosby Christmas
December 16 - December 17
Morihiko Nakahara, conductor
Jake Bergevin, vocals
Howard Crosby
This year we delight in music made famous by Spokane’s favorite friend, with holiday classics from Bing Crosby and other classics. Bing’s nephew Howard Crosby joins us to share memories and lead a Bing Crosby sing-a-long, and Singer Jake Bergevin returns with his smooth vocals.
SATURDAY DOORS 6:30PM | SHOW 7:30PM
SUNDAY DOORS 2PM | SHOW 3PM
The 2023-2024 season marks Morihiko Nakahara’s 16th season as Music Director of the South Carolina Philharmonic. As a guest conductor, Nakahara will conduct multiple programs with both the Virginia Symphony and the Spokane Symphony, and will also appear with the Florida Orchestra, Rhode Island Philharmonic, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and the Festival at Sandpoint Orchestra.
Known for his charismatic presence on and off the podium, innovative and audience-friendly programming skills, and thoughtful interpretations of both standard and contemporary repertoire, Nakahara was featured in the League of American Orchestra’s prestigious Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview in March 2005. Past guest conducting engagements include appearances with the Buffalo Philharmonic, symphonies of Oregon, Jacksonville, Virginia, Portland, Charleston, Long Beach, Chattanooga, Ann Arbor, Stockton, Lansing, Peoria, and Green Bay, as well as with the Chicago Pro Musica. Recipient of the David Effron Conducting Fellowship at the Chautauqua Institution in 1999, he recently returned to guest conduct the Music School Festival Orchestra there.
Equally at home in a wide variety of musical styles and concert formats, Nakahara is a tireless advocate for commissioning and performing new music as well as for introducing works by underrepresented composers past and present. A personable ambassador for the power of symphonic music in every community, he is also known for leading concerts synchronizing live orchestral soundtrack with film including the Star Wars franchise, Jurassic Park, and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, to name a few.
A native of Kagoshima, Japan, Nakahara holds degrees from Andrews University and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He previously served as Resident Conductor of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra, Associate Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the Holland Symphony Orchestra (Michigan), and served on the faculty at University of Massachusetts Amherst, Eastern Washington University, and Andrews University. Nakahara and his family reside in Yorktown, Virginia.
Facebook: @MorihikoNakahara
Instagram & Twitter: @morihiko_naka
Singer/trumpeter/bandleader and educator Jake Bergevin has recorded two albums as leader and has been a featured artist with diverse groups such as the Tacoma Symphony, the Spokane Jazz Orchestra, Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra, and many more.
He leads his own groups including the Javatown Swing Orchestra and the Jake Bergevin Quartet and can also be heard playing with many other notable northwest bands and musicians.
His latest recording Holding Back the Dawn features ballads and bossa novas. Fans of Chet Baker, Kurt Elling, Mark Murphy, and Jon Hendrix will enjoy the fresh arrangements as well as a few original compositions.
His first recording as a leader, My Name is Jake, is a combination of sensitive jazz vocals and romping party/dance music. Conceived as a partial tribute to his heroes Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles, Jake puts his own stamp on some classic tunes and demonstrates his crooning, blues shouting, scat-singing, and trumpet solo skills in fine fashion.
Jake has played performances at many of Seattle’s most prestigious venues and events, including the Showbox Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Bumbershoot, Folklife Festival, five years running at the Ellensburg Jazz in the Valley Festival.
Also a successful band director and conductor, Jake Bergevin has held leadership positions with the IAJE (International Association for Jazz Education). He has served as the WMEA (Washington Music Education Association) Jazz Curriculum Chair and led the Educator Track at the Centrum Jazz Port Townsend Festival. He has continued to share his passion for music with many successful students through music mentoring in both public and private teaching settings.
Health & Safety
As of today’s date, due to state mandate, the following safety protocols will be observed:
Proof of Vaccination or Proof of Negative Covid Test (within 72 hours): Not Required
Face Mask: Not Required
Policies are subject to change
Bag Policy
All bags (with the exception of clutches 6 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches) are subject to visual inspection by venue security.
Large bags are not allowed in The Fox, and must be checked in our Coat Check (located in the North Gallery) for the duration of the event.
Programs are subject to change
