TOM VITACCO
GUITARIST, ARRANGER, INSTRUCTOR
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I've been in the business of music nearly my whole life. Having never completely made up my mind regarding the question often asked, "What kind of music do you play?" my answer has always been "Yes" (no, I'm not referring to the progressive rock band of that same name from the 70's & 80's). What I mean is that I'm very comfortable in most any style, with a leaning toward jazz & rock. Continue on for samples & more info.
Current member of Mannheim Steamroller on Guitar and Bass (most recent tour completed on 12-30-2021)
Performance in shows for Broadway In Chicago & other Chicago-based production companies:
The Notebook (Fall of 2022) (Shakespeare Theater - Navy Pier)
Kinky Boots (2021) (Paramount Theater - Aurora)
Hamilton (2018 & 2019) (Broadway In Chicago)
Secret of My Success (2020) (Paramount Theater - Aurora)
Jesus Christ Superstar (2018) (Chicago Lyric Opera)
Wicked (2010 & 2018) (Broadway In Chicago)
Bye Bye Birdie (2016) (Drury Lane Theater - Oakbrook)
Rent (2015) (Paramount Theater - Aurora)
Billy Elliot (2014) (Drury Lane Theater - Oakbrook)
Aida (2011) (Drury Lane Theater - Oakbrook)
Working (by Studs Turkell) (2011) (Drury Lane Theater - Chicago)
Performed “Bernstein Mass” with Chicago Symphony Orchestra — July 2018 and July 2019 (Ravinia Festival concert venue, Highland Park, IL). (the latter to be televised sometime in 2020).
Performed Gulda Concerto for Cello, Wind Orchestra and Band with Grant Park Symphony (feat. Edgar Moreau) — July 2019 (Millennium Park, Chicago)
Performed “Coco Live” (movie soundtrack) with Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra — September 2019 (Ravinia Festival concert venue)
Recording for Hal Leonard Publishing — February 2019
Accompaniment tracks for percussion instruction book.
Performed on “WGN Live” (Chicago news television) with Mac180 Group — June 2019 (live performance group feature).
Perform with multiple local churches - Ginger Creek Community Church in Aurora, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Schaumburg and Christ Community Church in St. Charles
Perform with multiple local Chicago bands, including Chicago Groove Collective, TVK Orchestra, , Mulberry St. (Billy Joel Tribute), Stanley Paul Orchestra, et al. — 30+ years.
Music Directing & Arranging
Primary music preparer (band charts & vocalist rehearsal tracks) for Crossroads Church in Aurora, IL — 2011 through July, 2021
Music Director (full-time) at Willow Creek Community Church — 1981 through August, 1994 and 2002 through March, 2009
String Ensemble Arranging for Christ Community Church (St. Charles, IL) —2016 - 2019 (occasional special services)
Music Director (prepared band charts & performance tracks) for “Hopelessly Devoted” an Olivia Newton-John Tribute show for The Blacksmith Artist Group (feat. Annie Sander) — Current.
Education
Triton Junior College, River Grove, IL (2 years) & Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL (1 year)