Clips

Stephen Squires is a musician with a career that blends his passions for conducting, teaching, and performing. He received his musical training at the Preparatory School of the Eastman School of Music and the Crane School of Music, in his home state of New York. Mr. Squires earned his Master's degree in Instrumental Conducting/Trumpet Performance at California State University, Northridge. Further conducting studies were with Helmuth Rilling, Maurice Abravanel, Daniel Lewis, Tsung Yeh, and at the Aspen Music Festival. Mr. Squires is Professor of Conducting in the Music Conservatory of the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University. His current professional appointments include Resident Conductor of the Elgin (IL) Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra (Rockford, IL), Music Director of the Millar Brass (Evanston, IL), and Music Director of the Illinois Brass Band (Arlington Heights, IL). In addition, he is an accomplished recital accompanist, freelance trumpeter, and frequent guest conductor at educational festivals throughout the country. -- Arlington Heights Post - IL

Tickets for "A Michael Feinstein Holiday Celebration," which start at $38, can be purchased by calling 818-677-3000 or visiting www.valleyperformingartscenter.org. Additional holiday programming for VPAC (The Soraya) includes "Fiesta Mexicana: Feliz Navidad" (December 9) and The Klezmatics (December 16). -- Edge Media Network

The Klezmatics – Happy Joyous Hanukkah If you’ve got older kids who can appreciate a few hours of live music, it may be worth bringing them to this special performance from the world-renowned Klezmatics—the only klezmer band to win a Grammy. Not familiar with klezmer music? It’s a traditional style of music from the Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe, generally known by its combo of the accordion, fiddle and clarinet. Cost: $33-$68 online Time: 8 p.m. Valley Performing Arts Center 18111 Nordhoff St. Northridge, CA online: Valleyperformingartscenter.org -- Red Tricycle

Curricula include Improvisation, Jazz Composition and Arranging, Jazz History Syllabus, Jazz History Audio, Jazz History Podcast, Jazz Piano, Saddleback Big Band, Jazz Lab Ensemble, and Combos. Students in Jazz Studies at Saddleback College have transferred to prestigious institutions including the University of Southern California, Eastman School of Music, Berkeley School of Music, Cal State Northridge, UCLA, The New School for Social Research in New York, Cal State Fullerton, University of California at San Diego, and other regional institutions. Some of our alumni have gone on to play professionally with Frank Zappa, Diana Ross, and other high-profile artists and organizations. -- Aliso Laguna News