NORMAN LEYDEN TO PERFORM BIG BAND FAVORITES
IN OREGON SYMPHONY BANK OF AMERICA POPS CONCERT
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Portland, Ore. … Celebrating the swinging sounds of big band, Associate Conductor Norman Leyden and his 17-piece big band will perform an evening of favorites from Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington and more in an Oregon Symphony Bank of America Pops concert featuring popular local singers Reneé Cleland and Rod Lucich April 20 through 22 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Oregon Symphony Pops concerts are sponsored by Bank of America. Media support is provided by KPTV-Oregon's 12, News Talk 750 KXL and Media America.

Regarded today as one of the foremost authorities on big band music of the swing era, Leyden served as an arranger with Major Glenn Miller's famous Air Force Band and chief arranger with the Glenn Miller Orchestra until 1949.

Leyden will conduct Glenn Miller's "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Stairway to the Stars" and "Sunrise Serenade" during the first half of the program, as well as Duke Ellington's "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," Tommy Dorsey's "Boogie Woogie," Benny Goodman's "Why Don't You Do Right?" and more. The second half of the program will feature Glenn Miller's "Moonlight Serenade," "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" and "Tuxedo Junction" plus Artie Shaw's "The Carioca," Tommy Dorsey's "Marie," "September in the Rain" and "Music, Maestro, Please," Nat "King" Cole's "Unforgettable" and Frank Sinatra's "Come Fly with Me" and "Danny Boy." Cleland and Lucich will perform throughout the evening.

Performances are scheduled for Saturday, April 20, at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 21, at 3 and 8 p.m. and Monday, April 22, at 8 p.m. in the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Tickets range in price from $22 to $63 and may be purchased at the Oregon Symphony Ticket Office (923 S.W. Washington), Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or charged by phone at 503-228-1353 or (800) 228-7343. Tickets also may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets (503-790-ARTS) or through Ticketmaster Online, via the Symphony's Web site at www.orsymphony.org. Service fees may apply.

Reneé Cleland

Reneé is a native Oregonian. She is also a former Miss Oregon who represented the State at the Miss America Pageant. Renee was a featured performer in Sylvia's Dinner Theater production of "Jerry's Girls." Most recently she has enjoyed her 14th season as a member of the Leyden Singers who have performed with the Seattle and Oregon Symphony Pops. In her spare time, she enjoys running, weight training, and skiing. She resides in West Linn with her husband and two children.

Rod Lucich

Rod Lucich is a product of the Pacific Northwest and comes from a very musical family. Rod's grandfather was an accomplished musician who sold Doc Severinsen his first cornet and got him started playing. Years later, Rod's mother and uncle performed with Doc during their high school days in the group The Blue Notes.

Rod studied music and performed actively throughout his high school and college years and then moved to Los Angeles where he studied trumpet with renowned player and teacher Claude Gordon. In Los Angeles, Rod worked both instrumentally and vocally, performing a wide variety of music from classical to big band, in both live performance and recordings.

In 1978, Rod returned home to Oregon and began a long association with Norman Leyden. Rod performed with the "Leyden Singers" for twelve seasons and has been featured as guest soloist with many of the country's fine orchestras in pops performance. He has been a popular guest for several years during the "Summer Classics" series with the Minnesota Orchestra Pops, as well as repeat performances with the Seattle Symphony, Oregon Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Long Beach Symphony and has performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Rod was also the featured vocalist for the 50th Anniversary of the Glenn Miller Festival in 1993 as well as performing the lead in a local production of the Easter musical "Let All Heaven Rejoice" by David Clydesdale.

In addition to keeping active in many other musical projects, Rod takes pride in the giving of his time and musical talents to serve the Law Enforcement Communities all over the state of Oregon. On several occasions, Rod has performed for international delegations of police officers who have visited the City of Portland, as well as performing for President George Bush at the dedication of the Oregon Police Memorial. For many years, Rod has provided Musical Tributes at memorial services throughout the State to recognize police officers who have fallen in the line of duty. Since the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Rod has been in demand across the state for patriotic musical performances and has answered the call to help renew our courage in the face of these most difficult times.

Rod has served as a police officer since 1979 and worked as a Police K-9 master for 11 years. Rod was a Trainer for the Portland Police Bureau Canine Unit and also served as a State Trainer until he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1996. Since then, Rod has served as a supervisor for a regional multi-agency task force targeting auto theft and is now currently assigned as a Motor Sergeant with the Police Bureau. His current assignment keeps him extremely busy facilitating special events, from our many Rose Festival functions to Presidential Motorcades.

Rod takes pride in his marriage with his wife Jenny that has spanned over 28 years and produced three wonderful children. He tries to balance a busy schedule by giving priority to his family, yet still trying to accommodate the many requests for his musical performance. When time allows, Rod likes to slip away and enjoy a round of golf.