×

Legendary swing orchestra with a virtuoso leader

Nick Hilscher, who leads the Glenn Miller Orchestra

The Glenn Miller Orchestra — considered to be one of the greatest big bands of all time — will jump, jive and wail at 8 p.m. on September 28 on the Struthers Library Theatre stage. Originally formed in 1938, the Glenn Miller Orchestra recorded a string of matchless hit records and songs including “Moonlight Serenade,” “In the Mood,” “Pennsylvania 6-5000,” “Tuxedo Junction,” “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” “A String of Pearls,” “At Last,” “Little Brown Jug,” and “(I’ve Got a Gal In) Kalamazoo.”

In the 1930s and 1940s swing era, the legendary Glenn Miller was the most successful of all the dance band leaders. In 2018, the unique jazz stylings of the Glenn Miller Orchestra live on. The orchestra features over 20 world-class musicians and singers with a passion for the Glenn Miller sound. This is a no-miss show for jazz and swing fans, ballroom dancers and those romantics who want to step back in time.

First-rate pianist and singer of the American Songbook, Nick Hilscher, is the current leader of this storied orchestra. Growing up in Atlanta, Hilscher idolized the music of Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, and Tommy Dorsey. Hilscher began his professional career in his teens, playing piano and singing. In 1998, Hilscher took a year off college when he was selected to be a featured male vocalist with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. After earning his degree in 2000, Hilscher returned to his singing post with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, performing an average of 300 shows a year in venues like the Hollywood Bowl and New York’s Birdland as well as leading performance facilities around the world.

In 2002, Hilscher recorded his first solo album, “Nick Hilscher Sings with the Glenn Miller Orchestra.” In 2005, Hilscher was the featured vocalist for a 100th birthday celebration of Tommy Dorsey with the Julliard Jazz Orchestra. During the same year, he was the featured vocalist with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra on a cruise celebrating Tommy Dorsey’s 100th birthday and continued in that role working closely with the legendary Buddy Morrow. Buddy, who directed the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra from 1977-2010, served as a great encouragement and mentor to Nick, bringing out the best in Hilscher’s performances and musicianship. After Buddy’s passing, Hilscher was chosen to carry on as director of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. In 2012, Hilscher again returned to the Glenn Miller Orchestra when he was chosen to carry the leadership baton for the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Thanks to the strong sense of technique shared by Hilscher, five reed players, four trumpets, five trombones and a rhythm section of piano, bass, and drums, audiences are still be treated to that Glenn Miller signature sound. “My goal as a music director,” Hilscher said, “is to present the music, not as a copy-cat orchestra of Glenn Miller but to honor and respect the way Glenn Miller played the music. That’s a very important aspect of my musical direction: I want to play it like its 1939. Our format is just like it was when Glenn Miller was leading the band, playing swing music,” said musical director Nick Hilscher.

A musical treat for young and old, the World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra will present a selection of favorites from the vast Glenn Miller Orchestra Library. Tickets are on sale online at www.strutherslibrarytheatre.com, at the theatre office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or at the box office one hour before the show.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today