SYMPHONIC MAYHEM
—PRESENTS—
THE ROARING TWENTIES
A multi-media symphonic experience that teleports you to the 1920's
A symphonic experience that will transport you back to one of the most iconic decades in history. This show is a full-blown entertainment extravaganza! With dancing, singing, silent film, and stunning visuals, you will be fully immersed in the sights and sounds of the era.
“A rare jewel of a show that any symphony would love to present. It’s a fantastic mix of great songs, theatrical moments, nostalgia, funny gags, classic silent movies, and gorgeous symphonic music. The music in particular is beautifully composed and orchestrated, you feel like you’re listening to an opulent score from Hollywoods’ Golden Age. It’s one of the most original shows I’ve ever seen!” - Jung-Ho Pak, Director of the Cape Symphony
OUR STORY
Composers Kyle Gordon and Drew Zaremba crossed paths in the composition studios at the University of North Texas. During their meeting, Kyle proposed the idea of composing original music for silent films, specifically those of Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin. Drew embraced the idea, and their partnership was born.
Fast forward to 2023, the duo premiered their first performance of "The Roaring Twenties", which sold out at the Cape Cod Symphony. What began as a humble composition project has transformed into a multimedia spectacle that pushes the boundaries of a symphonic pop show.
With guidance from mentor Jung Ho Pak, the production now includes singing, dancing, radio dramas, and silent films, creating an entertaining performance that evokes both laughter and tears from the audience.
Kyle and Drew aspire to share this show with audiences worldwide while continuing to create engaging and dynamic productions, such as their Halloween Spooktacular and Folklore Fantasia.
INSTRUMENTATION
Orchestra
2 flutes - one doubling on picc.
2 clarinets - one doubling on bass clarinet
2 oboe - 1 doubling on english horn
2 bassoons - 1 optional double on contrabassoon
2 saxophones - 1 alto/tenor doubler, 1 tenor/baritone doubler
4 french horns
3 trumpets
2 trombones
1 bass trombone
1 tuba
3 percussion - 1 drum set player, 1 mallet specialist, 1 timpani/aux perc
1 harp
1 piano
String section (recommended for minimum 9/8/6/4/3)
BACKLINE
Projector & Screen - For optimal viewing experience, we recommend a large screen placed behind the orchestra. A screen placed on the side of your orchestra is also an effective option!
Click track/headphone setup - minimum 8 stations (conductor, violin 1, cello 1, trumpet 1, saxophone 1, clarinet 1, flute 1, drum set, piano, bass 1). Stations can include splitters to allow multiple musicians to be on the click track at a single station.
Optional (recommended) - click track for entire orchestra.
MEET THE COMPOSERS
KYLE GORDON
Kyle Gordon is a multi-talented musician, composer, and producer who thrives on pushing the boundaries of classical music. As an accomplished composer, arranger, conductor, and bassist, he has solidified his place as a visionary force in the music industry.
In 2023, Gordon captivated audiences with THE ROARING TWENTIES an orchestral pops show he composed, premiered, and conducted in partnership with co-creator Drew Zaremba. The double concert mesmerized two sold-out crowds, and audiences and critics alike hailed it as a groundbreaking musical triumph.
As a sought-after orchestrator and member of the music team, Gordon's exceptional talent has also extended to the silver screen, where he has contributed to some of Hollywood's most prominent productions, including Star Wars IX, Black Panther 2, Bridgerton, Mandalorian, The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse, Frozen 2, Family Guy, Babylon, and more.
As a performer, Gordon's Carnegie Hall premiere in 2019, featuring a new composition for double bass, was a resounding success. Today, he continues to enthrall audiences as a conductor, bassist, and mandolinist.
Gordon's particular fondness for the lush, romantic sounds of Hollywood's golden age is apparent in his arrangements and compositions. He skillfully blends classical and popular styles to create evocative, genre-defying works that are both reminiscent of past eras and wholly innovative. His performances surprise and delight audiences across the nation, leaving them with a renewed appreciation for the magic of music.
As a resident of Los Angeles, Gordon continues to explore new frontiers in music as a composer, arranger, orchestrator, and performer.
DREW ZAREMBA
Selmer artist Drew Zaremba is quickly earning a worldwide reputation as a passionate conductor, award-winning writer, and fiery performer. As a writer, he has composed and arranged pieces for the BBC Orchestra, Metropole Orkest, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Wycliffe Gordon, Randy Brecker, Lee Loughane of Chicago, Chuck Findley, Eddie Gomez, the Vietnam Classical Players, the Pyramid Jazz Orchestra in Japan, and Erin Dickins of the Manhattan Transfer. At the age of twenty-seven, Mr. Zaremba joined the esteemed faculty of the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in 2018 to teach jazz composition and arranging. One of Drew’s most ambitious projects was writing a concert of music entitled “Crossing Chinese Opera with Jazz” during a two month residency in Zhuhai, China. Mr. Zaremba has published music through Sierra Music, UNC Jazz press, and has recorded twenty of his pieces with the University of North Texas One and Two O’Clock Lab Bands. In 2015, Drew was awarded 1st prize of $10,000 in the Sherman/Barsanti Inspiration Award at the UNT for his premier concert with his orchestra, the Unity Orchestra, which featured Eddie Gomez. Drew was ecstatic to receive the Sammy Nestico Award for his original composition “Kangaroo Bruise Blues” in 2018, which includes a follow-up commission with the world-renowned Airmen of Note.
In addition to writing music, Drew is an active saxophonist, keyboardist, and woodwind artist. In early 2017, Drew released his debut record “Two Sides of the Same Coin” where he is featured on both the saxophone and Hammond organ. During his studies at UNT, Drew garnered several accolades for his performances, including being named a winner for Downbeat’s Best Undergraduate Soloist in 2012 on saxophone, second place in the Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition in 2014, and playing lead alto in the Disneyland All-American College Band in 2012. As a performer and composer, Drew participated in the prestigious Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program at the Kennedy Center in 2013. Drew is proud to be endorsed by the Conn-Selmer company.
Teaching is a fundamental part of being a jazz musician today, and Drew is delighted to be in demand as a clinician and guest artist. He was given the title of visiting professor for his work at the Contemporary Music Institute in Zhuhai, China. Additionally, he has given clinics and guest artist performances in Australia, Japan, Belgium, London, The Netherlands, and in colleges in the States, including Sam Houston State, University of Oklahoma, and UT Tyler. Drew has also taught at the UNT combo camp, the UNC jazz camp, Arrowbear Music Camp in California, and the Golden Jazz camp in Zhuhai, China.
