Credit: Newtown Chamber Orchestra
The Newtown Chamber Orchestra is tuning and getting ready to present its 28th season.
Beginning in this month, the shows provide a source for people of all ages to dig into classical music and gain a deeper appreciation for the music and the people who play it. The orchestra presents three concerts during each season.
“The mission of the Newtown Chamber Orchestra is to present a stimulating and culturally enriching experience of chamber music for audiences of all ages and varying levels of music knowledge; to provide a grater understanding and enjoyment of classical music, traditional and contemporary and to retain and celebrate our musical heritage; and to partner with neighboring school districts to educate and nurture children in the appreciation of live music by providing free family concerts, in-school performances, and recognition of young musicians in our community,”explained Carolyn Namaan, who is on the board of trustees for the orchestra.
“We are trying very hard to get young people involved with this type of music,” Namaan said.
To build the interest, the orchestra held competitions in the past where the winning student in grades 9 through 12 has joined the orchestra on stage during one of the concerts.
“We have had some enormous successes over the years,” Namaan said, explaining the different soloists who come in to perform with the chamber orchestra.
The Newtown Chamber Orchestra is staffed by professionals, and while the tickets sold for the concerts help with some of the costs, Namaan finds herself applying to grants for the chamber orchestra on a regular basis as well.
The first concert of the 2017 through 2018 season is set to be held on Saturday, November 11 at 7 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of God’s Love at 791 Newtown-Yardley Road. The concert is titled “String Harvest” and will include selections from Bach, Barber and Chopin. Clipper Erickson will be performing as a guest soloist at the first concert of the season.
The second concert is set for January 20 and the third for April 14.
The Newtown Chamber Orchestra orchestra was founded by Russel Hoffman and Milton Schwartz in 1990. Hoffman is the music director and conductor of the orchestra and conducts all concerts that the group puts on.
Information for the orchestra and tickets can be found at www.NewtownChamberOrchestra.
