Glen Miller Orchestra at Westchester Broadway Theatre with New Leader and Great Sound

BY GEORGE J. DACRE

Nick Hilscher, who doubles as lead male vocalist and leader of the band, has the current edition of the famed Glen Miller Orchestra at its all-time peak bringing an energy to the stage at WBT in Elmsford and a lot more Glen Miller music in their repertoire.

Playing two engagements at WBT, last Monday and Tuesday, is part of a 48 week a year tour all over the world by the orchestra, which now features many new members from all parts of the United States. Monday night Eileen Burns was featured as female vocalist, rendering several memorable tunes and doing a great swinging job on Ella Fitzgeralds “A Tisket A Tasket” with the band joining in.

Hilscher who sang with the Glen Miller band years ago when it was led by Larry O’Brien does a great job leading the orchestra, making eye contact with the audience and encouraging applause as different instrumentalists are featured in the performance. He is
engaging with a great smile and a verve for the job of directing, leading with his hands and no baton. The orchestra really responds well to his leadership.

His vocalizing of the famous Frank Sinatra hit of “All Or Nothing At All” and working with Eileen Burns and members of the band all added up to a great Glen Miller show. Performed were many well-known Miller hits, including a full rendition of “Moonlight Serenade,” “In The Mood,” “Sun Valley Jump,” “Perfidia,” “Pennsylvania 6 5000,” “Tuxedo Junction,” “Rhapsody In Blue,” and wrapping it up was the swinging “Bugle Call Rag.”

The show was Glen Miller music at its best.

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