"Salute to Vienna" New Year's Concert Event in Chicago 2013

A magical and joyous welcome to the New Year is the "Salute to Vienna" New Years Concert Event patterned after Vienna's world famous "Neujahrskonzert." It returns for a glorious 14th season to Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center in Chicago for a performance at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 30 and Times reade…

Holiday Pops Concert by the Northwest Indiana Symphony and conductor Kirk Muspratt

The Holiday Pops Concert by the Northwest Indiana Symphony and conductor Kirk Muspratt, Dec. 6 at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, has become a holiday tradition for region audiences.

1210POPS

Conductor Kirk Muspratt leads the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Chorus again in this year's production of Holiday Pops.

Tropical tunes

Orchestra director John Bradford leads the Merrillville High School String Orchestra on Wednesday at Downtown Disney in Orlando, Fla. The orchestra performed several tunes in conjunction with the Disney Performing Arts program.

Tropical tunes

Orchestra director John Bradford leads the Merrillville High School String Orchestra during its performance Wednesday at Disney World in Orlando, Fla. The orchestra performed several tunes in conjunction with the Disney Performing Arts program.

"Salute to Vienna" New Year's Concert Event in Chicago

A magical and joyous start to the New Year is the "Salute to Vienna" New Years Concert Event patterned after Vienna's world famous "Neujahrskonzert." It returns for a glorious 13th season to Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center in Chicago for a performance at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 2 and Times readers …

Orchestra needs to focus on improving timing, costs

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the concerts in the new downtown park and the Valparaiso High School over two recent Saturday evenings.

Norma Zimmer and Lawrence Welk

Lawrence Welk waltzing with Norma Zimmer, known as "The Champagne Lady," became as much the bandleader's trademark, as his famed bubbles.

OFFBEAT: Lawrence Welk's '2nd Champagne Lady,' Norma Zimmer, dies at age 87

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Purdue Symphony, M'ville High orchestra perform Wednesday

MERRILLVILLE | The Merrillville High School Orchestra and Purdue University Symphonic Orchestra perform during a free concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Reinhart Auditorium in Merrillville High, 276 E. 68th Place.

Northwest Indiana Youth Orchestra enriches lives, community

Bishop Noll Institute junior Peter Larson plays the tuba during a recent rehearsal with the Northwest Indiana Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Northwest Indiana Youth Orchestra enriches lives, community

Philip Bauman, conductor of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Youth Orchestra, leads the group in rehearsal.

Northwest Indiana Youth Orchestra enriches lives, community

Lake Central High School junior French horn player Nancy Bernal practices with the Northwest Indiana Symphony's Youth Orchestra during a rehearsal at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster.

Northwest Indiana Youth Orchestra enriches lives, community

Members of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Youth Orchestra rehearse at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster. The group will perform its Winter Concert on Sunday at Hobart High School.

OFFBEAT: Private plane flights not just for celebrities anymore as consumers seek to avoid airport aggravation

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

Sounds of the Season

A cellist warms up Thursday with the Northwest Indiana Symphony during the annual Holiday Pops concert in Merrillville.

Sounds of the Season

Conductor Kirk Muspratt leads the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra on Thursday during the annual Pops Holiday concert at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville.

OFFBEAT: Live video game/symphony stage concert Saturday a rare, entertaining option

THE MASTERMIND -- Tommy Tallarico, co-creator of Video Games Live, is the man behind the idea to devise a touring concert spotlighting video games with an orchestra's musical backing.