January 7 & 8, 2011   8 pm
Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall

Conducted by Carl Topilow
Special Guest: Helen Welch

The Southwest Florida Symphony's anniversary is not only about celebrating the music we have played but also about the people who have supported this organization and helped guide it to the next level. Carl Topilow is one of those people.

Carl Topilow, a past Pops conductor at the Southwest Florida Symphony, will return to entertain audiences with his colorful clarinets and sounds of swing. Carl is renowned worldwide for his versatility, whether he is holding a conductor's baton or his trademark red clarinet.

He is a multi-talented virtuoso who is equally at home in classical and popular music both as conductor and instrumentalist. Carl's pops performances blend light classical, swing, jazz, Broadway, Dixieland, and Klezmer music, usually finding occasion to include a number on his array of brightly colored clarinets. His unique approach to pops programming includes extensive audience involvement and true showmanship.