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Home » Orchestra News » Virtual Holiday Variety Show Wins Regional Emmys


Virtual Holiday Variety Show Wins Regional Emmys

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The variety show Virtual Holiday Spectacular (VHS) earned the musicians of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Indiana Symphony Orchestra three regional Emmys. Spearheaded by Andy Lott, principal trumpet of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and Local 58 (Fort Wayne, IN), the event was nominated for four Emmys in the 52nd Annual Lower Great Lakes Chapter, and won in three categories: 

  • Audio—Live & Post Production: Virtual Holiday Spectacular—Kenji Ulmer Lukas Untersteine
  • Musical Composition/Arrangement: Virtual Holiday Spectacular—Brennan Johns of Local 3 (Indianapolis, IN)
  • Technical Achievement: Andy Lott of Local 58, Emily Arata Grillo, Charlotte O’Connor, Kenji Ulmer, Lukas Untersteiner

The musicians pulled together to showcase regional talent and confirmed the easy collaboration of area artists. Sponsored by the Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF), the program served as a fundraiser for arts and community organizations, with performances that included selections by Heartland Sings, Fort Wayne Children’s Choir, Indianapolis Ballet, and musicians from the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The program was streamed live on Facebook for the month of December.

The Indianapolis Symphony provided additional musicians and a larger recording space, Lott says. “It was a natural fit because the arts are one big community everywhere facing the same issues during the pandemic. The Fort Wayne Philharmonic musicians have been furloughed, as were those of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.”







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