The Glenn Miller Orchestra is named for the original director, Glenn Miller. This orchestra is a direct continuation of that orchestra which has been touring worldwide since 1956. Current Director Eric Stabnau has been touring with the band since 2017. He is a lifelong big band enthusiast, and has been in the director’s position since 2022.

Savor the Arts

Sally Kissner and Eric Brittnacher from Savor the Arts Council, and Eric Stabnau, Music Director for Glenn Miller Orchestra, were guests on a recent edition of Mid-Day Magazine on WFHR. Kissner and Brittnacher were in the studio and Stabnau phoned in for the interview with James J. Malouf.

The interview began focusing on Stabnau’s background. Stabnau explained his background as beginning with his experience in Middle and High school band. He’s been playing Tenor Saxophone professionally since graduating college. He joined the Glenn Miller Orchestra as a saxophonist in the summer of 2017, and has been touring with them since that time.

Live Music is an Experience

Stabnau expressed how the experience of hearing these old classics performed in person is still what keeps audiences coming, and keeps the members of the band excited to do so. Malouf then asks what it means to Stabnau to be able to carry on this tradition and these timeless songs. Stabnau emphasized the nearly 80 year history of this band, and feeling that it is a huge honor and responsibility to continue this legacy. They then discussed rehearsal schedules and the independent nature of this tour. Stabnau said that the band handles set up themselves, and that rehearsals have been limited to sound checks. To check out some show footage and songs, you can click this link here.

Malouf expressed the importance of hearing live music, these are moments in time that only happen once, and experiences that will last a lifetime. Stabnau took that opportunity to give an overview of the show. Many beloved classic Glenn Miller tunes are always incorporated, along with a handful of timely standards as well. The orchestra includes vocalists as well to support the show. At this point Malouf bid the director farewell and wished him a good show before turning to Kissner and Brittnacher for the remainder of the interview. To learn more about Savor the Arts, and all the work they do bringing the arts to central Wisconsin click this link here.

To listen to the Mid-Day Magazine interview in full click this link here.
You can purchase tickets for the Glenn Miller Orchestra’s performance on November 7th at 7:30 PM you can follow this link here.

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