NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, Feb. 19.
SEQUIM — During their concert tonight, the Sequim Community Orchestra will feature students from its after-school strings classes who will perform several short pieces.
The concert program features well-known pieces such as Tchaikovsky’s “Marche Slave,” Edvard Grieg’s “Wedding Day at Troldhaugen,” and Mozart’s “Sleigh Ride.”
Local singers Joel Yelland and Robin Reed perform the duo from Georges Bizet’s “Pearl Fishers” with the Orchestra.
“This is the first time we’ve featured vocalists on any of our concerts,” said Phil Morgan-Ellis, orchestra director.
“We’re excited to be able to share this wonderful piece of music with the community.”
Morgan-Ellis invites everyone to attend this unique event, with rare opportunities to interact with performers and their instruments, and for some randomly selected audience members to perform with the orchestra on stage.
Student musicians
Second- and third-year strings students participating are: Malachi Byrne, Kellan Northaven, Anastasia Updike, Jaiden Slowey, Maddix Jay, Ethan Bratsman, Jonathan Bowden, Teagan Moore, Lauren Sundin, Myles Tadlock, Henry Hughes, Zoe Moore and Chloe Morton.
“We definitely want to continue the classes,” said Lilias Green, Sequim Community Orchestra co-founder and program coordinator.
“With 45 students enrolled in three classes, and many more indicating interest we need community support. We are an all volunteer organization, only the teachers are contracted to provide top level instruction.”
The program is especially beneficial to students of underprivileged families.
“In a district with over 50 percent on the free or reduced lunch program, we fulfill a need for many children whose families are otherwise unable to provide private instruction,” Green said.
The orchestra’s Strings program is in its third year. Classes are sponsored by the orchestra and held in facilities provided by the Sequim School District.
Instruction and other costs are funded by community donors and foundations, including a $4,000 grant in 2015 from the Charlotte Martin Foundation.
The concert will be held at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave.
The audience will have a chance to mingle with performers and see their instruments up close before the concert at 6:30 p.m.
Although the performance is free to the public, donations are accepted at the door.
For more information, visit sequimcommunityorchestra.org or call 360 460-7368.
