A Night at the Movies
Celebrating the works of John Williams
The Wendy Brown Memorial Fundraiser benefitting the Catskill Symphony Orchestra
and the 2025 Guest Conductor Competition
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center in Oneonta, NY
Gala Dinner with Silent Auction in the Atrium at 6:30 PM
Concert in the Bettiol Theater at 7:30 PM
Remember: Students always free and up to two (2) accompanying parents or guardians only $10!
An evening celebrating the Catskill Symphony Orchestra through the works of John Williams
John Williams is one of the most renowned and influential film composers in Hollywood history. Born in 1932 in New York, Williams began his career as a jazz pianist before moving to Los Angeles to work as a studio musician and orchestrator. His breakthrough came when he began collaborating with director Steven Spielberg in the 1970s, forming one of the most successful director-composer partnerships in film history.
Williams has composed over 100 film scores and received 53 Academy Award nominations (winning five). His distinctive orchestral style, characterized by memorable leitmotifs and grand symphonic arrangements, has helped define the sound of modern Hollywood. His work spans multiple genres and has become inseparable from American cinema's cultural identity.
Williams' concert arrangements allow his film music to stand independently as symphonic works, showcasing both classical training and compositional sophistication. His contributions have elevated film music to a distinguished art form and created sonic landscapes that have become permanently woven into popular culture, across generations. This is a concert for every movie lover — young and old!
Raiders of the Lost Ark March: The iconic march synonymous with archaeological adventure.
Theme from "E.T. The Extraterrestrial": The soaring composition expressing wonderment and friendship.
Harry Potter Symphonic Suite: Williams scored the first three films, establishing the musical identity of the Wizarding World.
"The Cowboys" Overture: This 1972 western score incorporates American folk elements and orchestral grandeur.
Theme from "Superman": The heroic march with its triumphant brass perfectly encapsulates strength and nobility.
"Lincoln": Contemplative style, using period-appropriate instrumentation to capture historical dignity.
"The Empire Strikes Back" introduced the iconic "Imperial March," while "The Force Awakens" blends new and original themes.
Thank you to our sponsors!
A Night at the Movies celebrates Wendy McReynolds Brown — forever at the heart of the CSO
The world tragically lost Wendy McReynolds Brown in November 2012. The CSO dedicates the annual fundraiser concert to the memory of Wendy. On the Governing Board of the CSO, she inspired fellow members with her love of the Symphony and her labors on its behalf, as well as with her joie de vivre. Whatever activity she took on for the Symphony, she filled with enthusiasm and persistence. Many were touched by her passion to explore orchestral music. She introduced her sons to concerts given by the CSO and encouraged other parents to bring their children to the concerts.
Wendy was also a passionate advocate of balanced budgets for the CSO. To that end, she urged supporters, and would urge them today, to be generous with their contributions to the CSO — especially to its Endowment Fund.
As a youngster in Gilbertsville, New York, Wendy’s family lived on the tightest of budgets. There were no funds to attend concerts and there were few opportunities to experience a symphony concert in a remote and tiny village. Reflecting on her youth, Wendy considered the chance to attend concerts given by the CSO as an absolute luxury.
Wendy took particular interest in the CSO’s annual fundraiser and for that reason, Erna Morgan McReynolds and Tom Morgan continue to sponsor this annual concert, a beloved CSO tradition, in Wendy’s name. Wendy Brown loved this Symphony, loved its music and loved life. And we loved her.
The CSO cherishes our memories of her and thanks her for her service to our mission.
Meet the evening’s stars!
Use the “Vote” links below to vote for your Guest Conductor!
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Glen Cortese
Artistic Director, CSO
Maestro Cortese will lead the audience through the magical world of cinema as the Catskill Symphony Orchestra performs iconic compositions from some of the most beloved films of all time, including Harry Potter, Star Wars, Superman, Lincoln, The Cowboys, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and more!
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Molly Hernandez
Guest Conductor Candidate and Co-Founder, Cooperstown Coworks
In addition to co-founding Cooperstown Coworks and raising a Christmas music enthusiast, Molly comes to the competition with a lifetime of passion for music and the arts, from childhood performances for her patient parents, to singing in the Fly Creek Philharmonic, and more. Wouldn’t the best Mother’s Day gift be the title of Guest Conductor?
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Sean Lewis
Guest Conductor Candidate and President and CEO, Otsego County Chamber of Commerce
Sean has deep roots in Oneonta and the region, starting with a role at The Daily Star and later returning to lead the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce. While known as region’s only fan for all Cincinnati sports franchises, he is also a music fanatic — having been to over 75 concerts in 50 years. On May 10th, it is his turn on stage!
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Ray Pucci
Guest Conductor Candidate and President, Delaware County Chamber of Commerce
Ray is optimistic about the future of the Catskill Mountains. He has spent over 30 years working with the region’s nonprofit, education, government, and business groups — and now vies for the Guest Conductor’s spot. He is ready to ensure the Catskills are alive with the sound of its symphony!
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Doug Decker
Master of Ceremonies
Many know Doug as a familiar voice for over 30 years on Oneonta radio. As a fourth grader at OHS, he started his career as a trumpet player in a production of “The Music Man”. Since then, he’s opened for acts including George Jones, Vince Gill, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Darryl Worley, Ray Stevens, Confederate Railroad, and has even sung with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Also an actor, his first role was in “A League of Their Own”. He went on to appear in TV shows including Suddenly Susan with Brook Shields, The Norm Show with Norm Macdonald, According to Jim with Jim Belushi, HBO’s Succession, and Showtime’s Billions. Recently, he appeared in A Roadhouse Coup: The Eva Coo Story alongside longtime CSO supporter, Senator Jim Seward. Doug’s most recent movie, Popeye the Slayer Man is currently in theaters, and on AppleTV, Amazon Prime, and Fandango At Home. One of Doug’s life highlights was his own candidacy in the Guest Conductor Competition, competing against Jay Unger and Molly Mason.
About the Guest Conductor Competition
A decades-long CSO tradition, the Guest Conductor Competition brings three local leaders together on stage for an evening of music, laughs, community, and supporting live orchestral music.
Like the CSO’s 71 seasons, each Guest Conductor brings a different message, has a different strategy to win, and every competition is truly original and unpredictable!
To vote, $1 equals 1 vote for the Guest Conductor of your choice. All proceeds support the CSO. Each competitor has a five-minute appeal from the stage during the concert and the winner closes the evening conducting the full Catskill Symphony Orchestra in a performance of John Philip Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever.
Concert Program
Glen Cortese, Conductor
Michael Emery, Concertmaster
Mitsuko Suzuki, Assistant Concertmaster
Doug Decker, Master of Ceremonies
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Raiders of the Lost Ark March (John Williams)
Theme from E.T.: The Extraterrestrial (John Williams, arr. James D. Ployhar)
Harry Potter Symphonic Suite (John Williams, arr. Jerry Brubaker)
The Cowboys Overture (John Williams)
Appeals from the Guest Conductor Competitors: Molly Hernandez, Sean Lewis, and Ray Pucci
INTERMISSION (Guest Conductor voting and Silent Auction close at end of Intermission)
Theme from Superman (John Williams, arr. Carson Rothrock)
Music from Lincoln (John Williams)
Twentieth Century Fox Fanfare (Alfred Newman, arr. Glen Cortese)
Star Wars: “The Force Awakens” (John Williams, arr. Sean O’Loughlin)
Star Wars: “The Empire Strikes Back” (John Williams, arr. John C. Whitney)
Guest Conductor Competition: Winner Announced
Stars and Stripes Forever (John Philip Sousa) (conducted by the Guest Conductor)
Closing Remarks
Performing in “A Night at the Movies”
(P) denotes section Principal
Violin I
Michael Emery (P)
Mitsuko Suzuki
Bohach Taras
Andrew Frech
Nathan Lawrence
Olga Megedyn
Herbert Poetzl
Ubaldo Valli
Violin II
Debrah Devine (P)
Heather Chan
Margaret Jevens
Yaryna Tsarynska
Raymond Zoeckler
Viola
Megan Dyer (P)
Stephani Emery
TJ McAvaney
Beth Moll
Amy Tompkins
Michelle Wilcox
Celli
Janet Nepkie (P)
Ruth Berry
Michael Gasparovic
Tara Hanish
Double Bass
David Irvin (P)
Rich Mollin
Roy Stock
Harp
Karlinda Caldicott
Flute
Elizabeth Kitson (P)
Elizabeth Evans
Ana Laura Gonzalez
Oboe
Cathryn Jones (P)
Victoria Rickard
Maureen Haehnel
Clarinet
Richard MacDowell (P)
Kelly Kristin
Bassoon
Susan Daves (P)
Judy Marchione
Daniel Hane
French Horn
Victor Sungarian (P)
Stephanie Hollander
Trumpet
Ralph Dudgeon (P)
Benjamin Aldridge
Alan Howell
Trombone
Paul Blake (P)
Frank Meredith
Tuba
Mike DePauw (P)
Timpani
Jeffrey Grubbs (P)
Percussion
Michael Cirmo (P)
Elizabeth Easson
How does your support help the CSO?
Less than 30 percent of the CSO’s operating budget is covered by ticket sales.
The CSO is an integral part of the Catskill and Leatherstocking region’s arts and culture landscape, as one of the oldest continually-operating performing arts organizations in the area (71 seasons strong!)
Your support has an immediate impact:
Enables future concerts (for the public and for local schools)
Employing the talented musicians of the CSO (many are our friends, family members, teachers, and neighbors — let’s keep them performing here at home!)
Breaks economic barriers to access concerts for school and college-aged students, and up to two accompanying parents or guardians, through our Wendy Brown Student Ticket Fund, fully covering student ticket costs and reducing parent/guardian tickets to only $10
Provides hands-on internship opportunities for college students, keeping them involved in local events and the community
Supports CSO’s ability to collaborate with local nonprofits to deliver educational and entertaining programming, raising quality of life
Donating to the CSO ensures this important work continues and makes an impact. Giving today to helps continue to deliver on our mission to entertain, educate, and inspire audiences of all ages.
Join us on May 10th!
Students always free, up to two accompanying parents or guardians only $10 each. Questions may be emailed to our Box Office at contact@catskillsymphony.org or by calling 607-269-7501 (if busy, please allow us to return your call by leaving your name, number, and inquiry in a voicemail).