The concert, which is Sunday, March 22, at 4 p.m. in Lehman Auditorium, includes music composed by alumnus Anthony VanPelt, a local musician, composer and teacher, and several alumni musicians joining the ensemble. Alumni, parents of alumni and past conductors of the symphony will be recognized, with a reception following. A $7 donation in support of the youth symphony is requested.

The Youth Symphony includes 42 members with students from Rockingham, Augusta, Shenandoah, and Page counties as well as West Virginia. The Junior Strings ensemble is an intermediate-level group with 13 members from Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

Both groups are part of , which was started by Wanda Teague Alger`81 in her local music store. It became a part of the university’s in 1989. The orchestra formed in 1990, partly funded by a grant from the .

For two women who have been involved in the program for years, the opportunity is especially unique.

“It is rewarding to look back and see the hundreds of students who have been involved in the symphony,” says , who has been a violin-viola teacher since 1989, program director since the orchestra’s first year in 1990, and conductor of the Junior Strings ensemble since its inception in 2001. “Most students in our area would not otherwise have the chance to participate in such a group and play some of the great music written for orchestra. And it’s exciting to know that an organization with a small beginning has grown into what it is today and is still vibrant.”

“Some students that have passed through the youth symphony program choose to continue music as a profession,” says , symphony conductor since 2002. “Others move on to different careers, but no matter what path they choose, music remains in their souls and helps them to become better individuals.”

The Program

The program features “Symphony No. 1” by Mozart and several selections from the musical, “Fiddler on the Roof,” played by the Junior Ensemble; and several selections by the symphony, including “Overture to Nabucco” by Verdi; the “Russian Easter Overture” by Rimsky-Korsakoff; and the first movement from the “Violin Concerto in E Minor” by Mendelssohn, featuring soloist Lillian Hughes.

Lillian, a senior at , describes her solo as “mournful” and “wistful,” with a “beautiful soaring melody” and a “virtuosic ending.”

The daughter of Chris and Mary Hughes, Lillian has studied violin for 13 years through the Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Music Program and been a member of the symphony for six years, serving as co-concertmaster for the past two years. She currently studies with .

She first soloed as a 5-year-old, playing “See the Pretty Flowers” for a preparatory music program spring recital. The experience was memorable, she says: “I remember being horribly nervously beforehand, but it all turned out fine in the end.”

Lillian has gone on to great success in her musical auditions, which have resulted in selections in two All-State Orchestras and one All-State Chorus, four Senior Regional Orchestras, and the Virginia Governor’s Summer School for the Performing Arts. She plans to study music and biochemistry in college.

This special celebration concert will also feature a work written by local teacher and composer Anthony VanPelt, who was a member of the youth symphony for its first five years. The ensemble will perform the first movement from VanPelt’s “New Market.”

In addition, the symphony will perform the winning composition from the New Music for Young Musicians Composers Competition held at James Madison University this year. The chosen work, “Remember Who You Are”, was written by Chris M. Cerreto, a current JMU student.

The junior strings ensemble, under the direction of , will play a classical selection by Albinoni and two contemporary pieces. This intermediate-level group has members from Augusta, Rockingham and Page counties.

The youth orchestra will perform a movement of “Symphonie Espagnole” by Lalo featuring Mariette Southard, portions of the “Summer” Concerto by Vivaldi featuring Nathaniel Oberholtzer, the “Overture to Rienzi” by Wagner, Washburn’s “New England Holiday” and “Danzón No. 2” by Marquez.

“A unique feature of the concert will be the Latin American piece “Danzón No. 2” never performed before in this area,” said Sharon Miller, administrative director of the preparatory music at 91����Ƶ. “It is based on the rhythm of danzón, a Cuban dance form, written by the Mexican composer, Arturo Marquez. The work features solos by individual orchestra members as well as sections of the orchestra. Numerous percussion instruments as well piano add to the exciting rhythms and Latin flavor. This is a piece , instructor in preparatory music, heard often while growing up in Venezuela.”

Lorcas conducts the orchestra whose members are from Rockingham, Augusta, Shenandoah and Page counties and West Virginia.

91����Ƶ the soloists

Nathaniel Oberholtzer, violin, and Mariette Southard, violin will be the featured soloists during the evening’s concert.

Oberholtzer is the son of Roger and Doris Oberholtzer. A senior at , he is the class president and is a member of the National Honor Society, the school orchestra and has participated in regional orchestra ensembles. A member of the EMHS Touring Choir, Oberholtzer was chosen for the All Virginia Choir. He has been a member of the youth orchestra for five years and is currently an intern with the Shenandoah Valley Preparatory Music program as a violin teacher. He has studied violin with Lorcas and , PhD, at 91����Ƶ. After high school, he plans to major in pre-med.

Mariette Southard is the daughter of Michael and Pam Southard. A senior at , she is a member of the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Southard is a member of the Turner Ashby Singers, the Chamber Choir and the Wind Ensemble. She has been a member of the youth orchestra for nine years and has been selected by audition for the Senior Regional Orchestra and the All-Virginia Orchestra. An active solo performer, Southard has participated in several honors recitals and competitions. She has studied violin since 1997 through 91����Ƶ’s preparatory music program, currently studying with Griffing. After graduation, Southard plans to study violin performance in college.

A $5 donation is requested at the door to assist in the operation of these groups. There will be a reception for the audience following the concert.

History of Shenandoah Valley Youth Orchestra

The youth orchestra began in 1990 as a strong ensemble and in part through a grant from the . The ensemble grew to a full orchestra in its next season and is the only opportunity for instrumental students to participate in such a group this side of Charlottesville and Winchester.

The preparatory music program has over 400 students enrolled this year in instrumental lessons, and the youth orchestra. Students become members by audition and perform three or four public concerts per year. Rising seniors may audition to play a solo with the orchestra.

Sharon Miller is the program director. Inquiries to the youth orchestra should be made to 540-432-4277 or prepmusic@emu.edu.

Admission info

A five-dollar donation is requested at the door to assist in the operation of these music groups.

91����Ƶ the concert

The Junior Strings ensemble, under the direction of Sharon Miller, will open the program with several classical selections by Bach and Moussorgsky and a fiddle tune. This intermediate-level group has 16 members from Shenandoah, Rockingham and Augusta counties.

The concert will continue with the 46-member Youth Orchestra with students from Rockingham, Augusta, Shenandoah, Page, and Highland counties as well as West Virginia. Several students from 91����Ƶ and James Madison University assist and play with the ensemble.

Both ensembles are part of 91����Ƶ’s Preparatory Music Program.

This auditioned group, conducted by Maria Lorcas, will perform the “Concerto for Flute in G major” by W.A. Mozart featuring high school senior Sarah DiNapoli; “Jupiter” from “The Planets” by G. Holst and “Capriccio Espagnol” by N. Rimsky-Korsakow. The last piece includes solos for orchestral members, including Rebecca Bauer (violin), James Lambert (clarinet) and Rebecca Snider (flute).

Sarah DiNapoli, featured soloist

Featured soloist Sarah DiNapoli

The evening’s featured soloist is Sarah DiNapoli, daughter of Timothy and Jessica DiNapoli of Harrisonburg. She is the senior class treasurer at Harrisonburg High School where she is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and the National Art Honor Society. A member of the HHS Band and Marching Bands for four years, she served as drum major this year.

She has danced at Dance and Company since the age of 4, volunteered with the Gus Bus and attended the Virginia Summer Governor’s School for Life Sciences and Medicine. Sarah’s flute teachers are Elizabeth Stinson and Rebecca Springer. She has been a member of Shenandoah Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra for two years and has been selected for City-County Honors Band and District Band.

Learn more about 91����Ƶ’s Preparatory Music Program.

The program will open with selections from the Junior Strings Ensemble, directed by Sharon M.D. Miller. They will join the full orchestra for an arrangement for an arrangement of the old Shaker song, "Simple Gifts."

The 30-member youth orchestra, directed by Maria Lorcas, will play selections from "The Sound of Music" by Rodgers & Hammerstein, "Orpheus in the Underworld" by J. Offenback and the "Viola Concerto in D Major" by K. Stamitz.

Benjamin Roth, featured soloist

Featured soloist on the viola concert will be Benjamin Roth, son of Ken and Terri Roth of Harrisonburg. The 17-year-old homeschooled senior has played the viola for three years and has taken violin and piano lessons for six years with Joan Griffing and Sharon Miller and has had lessons and master classes with Amadi Hummings, Scott Rawls, Che Hung Chen and Diane Phoenix-Neal.

In addition to the youth orchestra, Roth has played in the 91����Ƶ Community Orchestra 2004-present, the South Central Virginia Senior Regional Orchestra (2005,2006, 2007) and the All-Virginia Orchestra (2007, 2008).

The Shenandoah Valley Youth Orchestra and Junior Strings ensemble are part of 91����Ƶ’s Preparatory Music Program.

A five dollar donation is requested at the door to assist in the operation of these groups.

The 25-member orchestra, conducted by Maria Lorcas, will perform “Carmen Suite No. 1” by Georges Bizet and “West Side Story Suite” by Leonard Bernstein. Ashley Wright will be featured soloist on the “Clarinet Concerto” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Jessica Hostetter and Sean Hsu will perform “Concerto for Two Violins” by Johann Sebastian Bach with string orchestra.

Ashley Wright

Ms. Wright, the daughter of Douglas and Kimberly Wright, is a senior at Turner Ashby High School and has played the clarinet since sixth grade. Chosen by audition to perform the evening’s featured solo, Wright has been a member of the Youth Orchestra for four years.

A student of Leslie Nicholas, she was chosen by audition for District Band and the All-Virginia Band and has participated in the George Mason University Honor Band. An active student musician, she served as the TA Marching Knights senior drum major this year, performed in bands that accompanied the school musicals the last four years and is a member of the TA Jazz Ensemble. Wright also serves as secretary of TA’s Tri-M Music Honors Society, and she plans to major in music education in college.

The 17-member Junior Strings ensemble, directed by Sharon M.D. Miller, will perform a variety of music including “Rondeau” from “Masterpiece Theater” by Mouret, a Bach chorale and “Fiddle Fest” by local composer James E. Clemens.

Junior string members are from Rockingham, Augusta, Page and Shenandoah counties and from West Virginia.

The Shenandoah Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra is part of 91����Ƶ’s Preparatory Music Program. The program also includes instrumental music instruction (violin, viola, cello, guitar, flute, clarinet, harp, piano) and Musikgarten (ages birth through 6). Sharon Miller is administrative director for the program that enrolls over 325 students from 6 Virginia counties and West Virginia.

A five dollar donation is requested at the door to assist in the operation of these groups.

Information about the Preparatory Music Program may be obtain from 91����Ƶ’s web site ()or by calling 540-432-4277.