Youth Orchestra Winter Concerts

On Monday, February 21st (That’s TONIGHT) at 7:00, four of the five groups that make up the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra will be presenting their Winter Concert at the Tennessee Theatre. The Junior Philharmonia, led by Erin Tipton Archer, The Philharmonia directed by Kate Hutchinson, the Sinfonia led by Kathy Hart-Reilly, and the Youth Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Wesley Baldwin will perform a wide variety of music sure to delight.

Erin Archer’s Junior Philharmonia performance will feature music by Kiko Yamada’s Zou San, which is Japanese for “little elephant,” and an arrangement of a Canadian folk song, Chumbara, by Deborah Baker Monday. The Philharmonia will present Alan Lee Silva’s Blue Ridge Run and Sacagawea by Brent D. Smith. Kathy Hart-Reilly’s Sinfonia forces will perform Canzone (based on an aria from Verdi’s Rigoletto), Jugglers by John O’Neill, and Iditarod by Soon Hee Newbold. Wesley Baldwin will lead the Youth Chamber Orchestra in Vivaldi’s Concerto Grosso in D minor.

This concert is free, as is the concertmaster candidate violin recital by Joseph Meyer tonight at Pellissippi State. Enterprising concert-goers might actually be able to attend (some of) both concerts! Stay for a bit of the youth ensembles at the Tennessee, then hightail it over to Pellissippi State for the second half of Mr. Meyer’s recital. Hey! It could happen. (Keep in mind as per the previous post, that reservations are required for the violin recital). Need I add that this is a busy week for the KSO!!??

While I’m at it, I may as well mention that the Youth Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of James Fellenbaum, will be performing Sunday, Feb. 27th, also at the Tennessee Theatre. Winners of the Concerto Competition will be performing with the group. Pianist Jerry Feng will perform the stormy first movement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto #3 in C Minor. Violinist Cameron Lugo will play the passionate first movement of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto.

Our youth orchestras are full of dedicated, enthusiastic young musicians that are thrilled to be playing on the big stage. Come share in their joy tonight!