Baritone Bob McDonald, known for his singing and production with the US Army Chorus and for singing the national anthem at Washington Capitals hockey games, brings “My Way: Sinatra at 100” to The Mainstay in Rock Hall, Maryland on Sunday afternoon September 11 at 2:00 p.m. Admission is $20. For information and reservations call 410-639-9133. Information is also available at the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.
Bob McDonald’s distinctive baritone has made him a favorite with Washington area musical theatre, opera, and concert audiences at venues such as the Signature Theatre, the Kennedy Center, Strathmore, the Folger Theatre, and the Arena Stage. His active-duty Army career has given him the opportunity to perform in the US and abroad for US troops, as well as to entertain presidents and visiting heads of state in his role as baritone, announcer and senior producer for The United States Army Chorus. He is also a familiar face to DC hockey fans as he regularly performs the National Anthem for Washington Capitals’ games.
In a special Sunday afternoon concert at The Mainstay, he will channel Frank Sinatra in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the crooner’s birth. He’ll be joined by a fine quartet with Scott Silbert on woodwinds, Tony Nalker on piano, Todd Harrison on drums and Paul Henry on bass for a full afternoon of Sinatra classics.
Bob McDonald holds a BA in Vocal Performance and an MA in Opera Directing from Oberlin Conservatory of Music. He enjoys a diverse career across many artistic disciplines, including musical theatre, opera, and the concert stage, as well as for his job as baritone, announcer and senior producer for The United States Army Chorus.
Washington audiences have seen him on stage at Signature Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Folger Theatre and Arena Stage, among others, performing a variety of musical theatre, opera and dramatic roles. He has also appeared as baritone soloist with The Choral Arts Society of Washington, The Folger Consort, and the New Dominion Chorale, to name a few and he has also directed numerous student musicals at The Sidwell Friends School in Washington to high acclaim.
His active-duty Army career has given him the opportunity to perform in the United States and abroad for our troops, as well as entertain presidents and visiting heads of state.
Scott Silbert is the chief arranger for the United Stated Navy Band. He has composed or arranged more than 300 works for the band, while actively performing, teaching, and conducting clinics. He has studied with jazz legends such as Phil Woods, Manny Albam, and Jerry Kalber. He performs with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and has appeared with Rosemary Clooney, Bob Hope, Stanley Turrentine, Andy Williams and The Temptations.
Tony Nalker is currently the pianist and group leader of the U.S. Army Blues, the premiere jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army. He routinely plays for the highest levels of our government and military and has performed in several USO tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. He holds an undergraduate degree in music from James Madison University and an M.A. in music from the University of Iowa and has performed on more than 120 recordings in a variety of styles including three Grammy finalists (and one winner) in the children’s music category.
Todd Harrison recently retired after serving more than 20 years with the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors, the premiere touring big band of the Army, having performed throughout the United States and abroad with countless guest artists as well as symphony orchestras under the direction of Marvin Hamlisch. In addition to being an expert in drum set and Latin percussion, Todd is also a guitarist, composer, arranger, and illustrator.
Paul Henry is a graduate of St. Olaf College with a B.A. in Music Education. He was the bassist for the U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note from 1988-2014 and prior to that worked with the Minnesota Orchestra and the San Antonio Symphony.
The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall, MD and the surrounding region. It is committed to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. Wine, beer, sodas and snacks are available at the bar.
The Mainstay is supported by ticket sales, fundraising including donations from friends and audience members and an operating grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.
For information and reservations call the Mainstay at 410-639-9133. More information is also available at the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.
Upcoming Mainstay performances include:
Sept. 12 Mainstay Mondays: Joe Holt’s special guests are Dave Schiff and Mike McShane
Sept. 19 Mainstay Mondays: Joe Holt’s special guest is Karen Somerville
Sept 23 UltraFaux
Sept 25 Chesapeake Scenes (Sun. morning 11 a.m.)
Sept. 30 Chuck Redd and The Jazz Young Bloods
Oct. 1 Rogerio Souza
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