AREAWIDE – Calling all performers! Vista is hosting open auditions for its upcoming production of “The Pirates of Penzance,” which sets sail in May. Auditions will be held Feb. 8 and 9, by appointment only, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Vista’s Madison Campus, located at 107 Bradley Rd. in Madison.

Versatile adult performers of all abilities are needed. Bring 16 measures of sheet music for an audition song. An accompanist will be provided. Be prepared and dressed to move.

“The Pirates of Penzance” will run May 20 through May 22 at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center — The Kate — in Old Saybrook. Pat Souney will direct.

To schedule an audition appointment or for additional information, contact Amanda Roberts at (860) 399-8080 ext. 255 or aroberts@vistavocational.org.

Editor’s Note: Based in Madison and Westbrook, Vista Vocational & Life Skills Center is a 501©3 nonprofit organization. Vista’s mission is to provide services and resources to assist individuals with disabilities achieve personal success. For more information about Vista, visit www.vistavocational.org.

Daniel Brandl

The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra (ECSO) has announced that Daniel Brandl has joined the New London-based nonprofit arts organization to serve as its new Executive Coordinator. Brandl comes with a wealth of experience in music, education, and arts administration.

Currently, he serves as Resident Music Director of the Chestnut Street Playhouse in Norwich, Conn., as well as secretary of its board of directors where he was instrumental in helping create a new arts organization after the Spirit of Broadway Theater closed. He is also the Music Director and Organist at First United Methodist Church in Mystic, Conn.

A champion of the arts and arts education in Connecticut, Brandl was most recently an Artist Instructor at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. He holds a B.M. in Jazz Piano Performance from Western Connecticut State University and will complete a Graduate Certificate in Arts Administration from the University of Connecticut in December. Originally from Meriden, Conn., he currently resides in Stonington Borough with his wife Kathryn and their two young children.

Brandl comments, “I am excited to start a new challenge at ECSO and look forward to working with the staff, orchestra, musicians, board of directors, and volunteers. I am fortunate to be joining such an amazing arts organization with a strong mission.”

Board President Bob Reed comments, “I’m thrilled to have Daniel Brandl join the ECSO organization as Executive Coordinator. Dan’s background and experience in the performing arts arena brings much to the table and he will certainly assist our Executive Director, Caleb Bailey and our board to achieve our goals.”

The ECSO performs six classical concerts from October to May at the Garde Arts Center in New London. The orchestra offers a range of affordable seating options from $62 to as low as $12 for attendance to one concert. New this season, the ECSO will offer those under 30 years of age $12 tickets in premium sections. Additionally, $12 rush tickets will be available the night of every concert to those under 30 and any active or retired military.

Music director and conductor Toshiyuki Shimada has programmed an exciting season showcasing the ECSO’s critically acclaimed virtuosity and scope of repertoire ranging from Classical and Romantic-era favorites to newly composed, cutting-edge international works. Visit www.ectsymphony.com for more information and follow ECSO on Facebook.

Founded in 1946, the mission of the ECSO is to perform high quality symphonic music and conduct educational outreach programs.