The melodic harmony of the Shenandoah Valley Youth Orchestra and Junior Strings Ensemble will fill Eastern Mennonite University’s (EMU) Lehman Auditorium on Sunday, Mar. 25, at 7 p.m.
The spring concert will open with selections from the 17-member Junior Strings Ensemble. Directed by Sharon Miller, assistant professor of music at EMU, they will perform a work by Vivaldi and “Hickory Variations” by William Harbinson.
“It’s amazing to hear the progress of the students from year to year and see them develop leadership skills within the ensembles,” said Miller.
The 43-member youth orchestra, directed by Maria Lorcas, will play Concerto for violin in G Major by Haydn, featuring Celia Turner, and the Concerto for violin in A Minor by Accolay, featuring Will Montgomery. They will also perform the Academic Festival Overture by Brahms, the Berceuse and Finale from “The Firebird Suite” by Stravinsky and L’Arlesienne Suite No. 2 by Bizet.
The Shenandoah Valley Youth Orchestra and Junior Strings ensemble are part of EMU’s Preparatory Music Program.
A five dollar donation is requested at the door to assist in the operation of these groups.
For more information contact the preparatory music program at 540-432-4277 or email preparatorymusic@emu.edu.
Featured soloist – Celia Quinn Turner
Celia Quinn Turner is the daughter of Ronald and Peggy Turner. A senior at Broadway High School, Turner has played in the orchestra for two high school musicals. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is an officer in the World Languages Society.
Turner began studying violin at the age of three in the EMU Suzuki program and has attended the Blue Ridge Suzuki Camp at Orkney Springs for 11 years. She currently studies with Joan Griffing, DMA, chair of music at EMU.
Turner is a trained Suzuki teacher and teaches in the preparatory music program. She is also a member of two local bluegrass groups (Celia Quinn and the Brocks Gap Boys and Many Nights Ahead) that have performed locally.
Turner plans to major in Information Analysis and minor in foreign languages in college.
Featured soloist – Will Montgomery
Will Montgomery is the son of Dr. Greg and Karen Montgomery. A senior at Eastern Mennonite High School, he is concertmaster of the orchestra, sings in the Touring Choir and the Chamber Choir and is a member of the student-run a cappella group, UMAC.
Montgomery was a violin student of Lorcas and currently studies with Griffing. He has been a member of the youth orchestra for six years and plays in a string quartet.
An active athlete, Montgomery has been captain of the EMHS varsity soccer team and was first team all-conference in golf. He was named VISAA Division II State Soccer Player of the Year and was recently the WHSV-TV3 Student-Athlete of the Week.
A National Honor Society member, Montgomery plans to study medicine in college.