Rockin’ with the Orchestra

Milwaukee native and internationally known musician Daryl Stuermer, who was the lead guitarist of the band Genesis and for Phil Collins, will be back in Wisconsin to perform as a guest artist with the Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra at the .

The fall concert, “Rockin' with the Orchestra,” will include the music of Genesis and Phil Collins from the 1970s, '80s, and '90s. Quickly mark your calendars, because the show is at 1 p.m. Sunday.

The concert will begin with 25 minutes of light classics and pop music ranging from Beethoven to Harry Potter movie soundtracks. After that, they will perform over an hour of Genesis and Phil Collins hits with Stuermer and his band, which includes a bass guitarist, drummer, keyboardist, and vocalist.

In addition to the music, there will be a light show during the music, similar to the Stuermer’s show with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.

“Combining rock music and symphonic orchestra music is gaining popularity,” said Mike Kamenski, director of the MFSO.

This will be the first time the MFSO has done a rock concert.

MFSO is a volunteer organization with a diverse range of musicians. The 65 members range from early 20s to late 60s, and represent both casual musicians and professionals with degrees in music.

Kamenski is the Director of Liturgy and Worship at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, a Professor of Music Theory at Alverno College, as well as the conductor for the MFSO for the past 25 years.

Stuermer told his agent that he wanted to go symphonic with his music, and his agent connected him with Kamenski. Together, they will perform dozens of concerts with different orchestras around the United States. Their new musical arrangement premiered in July with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra in Ohio. This will be the second performance of the arrangement.

“It will be very exciting for the orchestra to perform side by side with someone of Stuermer’s international fame, performing rock songs they like, with a person from the actual band,” said Kamenski.

Stuermer graduated from St. Francis High School in the Milwaukee area in 1970.

“Stuermer is probably Milwaukee’s most famous international rock star,” said Kamenski.

Joshua Parman, the orchestra’s cello player and representative, saw this as an opportunity for classical musicians to learn to better appreciate rock musicians.

“Playing in the orchestra is a wonderful community act where we can work together and appreciate the talents of everyone while working together to produce something beautiful,” said Parman.

Ticket prices are: adult $30, senior citizen $25, student $10. Tickets can be purchased on the HFAC's website or at the box office. More information can also be found on the Hamilton Fine Arts Center’s website.