In collaboration with the SOCSD District and Music Department, the newly formed South Orangetown Community Orchestra under the direction of Charles Yassky , made their debut at Cottage Lane Elementary School on October 26. Forty Five members from the orchestras of the Met Opera, New York Philharmonic, New York Ballet, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, The New York Pops, Broadway Theater, United States service bands, former students and our own Music Staff performed W.A. Mozart’s overture to the opera “The Impressario” and “Mr. Smith’s Composition”, an interactive piece narrated by the composer. Music concepts such as melody, harmony, orchestration, instrumentation and emotion in music were conveyed to the students with a mixture of humor and sincerity. The majority of the members are residents of our local communities and parents of students in the district, and have graciously offered their time and energy in sharing their expertise with our students. The program concluded with a virtuoso demonstration by local resident and internationally known harpist Barbara Allen with the famous cadenza from Tchaikovsky’s ballet, “The Nutcracker”.
(post by Charles Yassky for Cottage Lane and photos by Jeff Karg)
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