Miami University boasts a large number of famous alumni. Most students can rattle off a list that includes former President Benjamin Harrison, Super Bowl winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, hockey gold medalist Dan Boyle and politicians such as Paul Ryan and Steve Driehaus. There is one person who might be often overlooked, but should be included nonetheless. Enter Steven Reineke.
Reineke boasts a resume of which most musicians can only dream. He is the current music director of the New York Pops and is also the principal pops conductor for the National Symphony Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra and Modesto Symphony Orchestra. He is easily one of the most sought after pops directors nationally. Reineke graduated from Miami with degrees in Music Performance and Music Composition, and has not turned back since. In July, Reineke performed at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, with the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra and Broadway powerhouse Idina Menzel. He was asked to open the Blossom Festival with this Opening Night Benefit Concert and did so with energy and passionate leadership. Based off student opinion, the concert was a wonderful success and Reineke can be given his share of credit.
Senior Molly Pesarchick attended the concert at Blossom. "I loved the concert," Pesarchick said. Pesarchick said Reineke brought a special energy to the performance.
"He truly seemed excited throughout the whole performance and the excitement was contagious," Pesarchik said.
Reineke opened the concert with a set of music featuring the orchestra, including one of his original compositions "Celebration Fanfare." After this set and a brief intermission, Reineke brought Menzel to the stage for a powerful second half that included many of the Broadway hits that made her famous. This list includes hits from Rent, Wicked, the television show Glee and more from her own album, I Stand. Reineke and Menzel interacted throughout the second half, and brought the near sold out crowd to their feet three times. The final time, after perhaps her most famous song "Defying Gravity," the crowd stood tall almost until the post concert fireworks took flight.
Gary Speck, professor of music at Miami, arrived to Miami at the same time Reineke did. Speck and Reineke collaborated in the Miami University Wind Ensemble, where Speck directed and Reineke performed on trumpet. "It was pretty obvious from the start how much talent [Reineke] had," Speck said. Speck is not surprised Reineke has been so successful.
"He had the three necessary ingredients: talent, hard working and humility," Speck said. "(He is) an excellent alumnus in every way."
Miami has the Cradle of Coaches, a former US President, a Super Bowl winning quarterback and a handful of politicians. Reineke, however, deserves his spot in the Miami alumni spotlight.
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