Montclair Students to Perform in Youth Orchestras of Essex County Winter Concert

The orchestras that will be performing are composed of ninety skilled young musicians from over 18 towns in Essex County, all of which are led by outstanding conductors and coaches. At least two Montclair students including James Lukenda and Matthew Rodriguez will be performing in the concert. Student from local towns will also be performing including one from South Orange, five from Maplewood and sixteen from West Orange.

Rehearsing together once a week, these 8 through 18 year old students create beautiful music in three distinct symphonic orchestras (Overture Strings, Junior Symphony Orchestra, Essex County Symphonic Orchestra) and the ABC (Anything But Classical) Ensemble. The ABC Ensemble features music from all over the world, and this concert will be performing selections from Haiti and Latin America, among others.

Providing a diverse and musically talented group of young people the opportunity to participate in an affordable, high-level orchestra experience and cultivate a lifelong love of music has been the mission of YOEC since 1956. The vibrant group is the longest operating youth orchestra in New Jersey.

Admission to YOEC is through auditions, held in January and May, and auditions are currently being scheduled for January for the spring 2015 session. Spaces are available for most instruments, including in the newly expanded Overture Ensemble, which is seeking brass and woodwind players, as well as a pianist for the first time. The other Orchestras and ABC Ensemble will be holding auditions also.

More information about the orchestras can be found on the Youth Orchestras of Essex County website. Interested musicians and community members are invited to experience this showcase by an outstanding group of young musicians at SOPAC.

Tickets for the concert are available at the South Orange Performing Arts Center website, SOPACnow.org.

SOPAC is located at 1 SOPAC Way in South Orange, NJ 07079.

Photo Captions:

1 - Matthew Rodriguez of Montclair and Eliana Saibel of West Orange

2 - James Lukenda of Montclair, Hank Mecinski of South Orange. Jack Hagan of West Orange and Raina Bhagat of Livingston in the violin section of Essex County Symphony Orchestra

3 - (L-R) James Lukenda (Montclair), Shawna Lewis (Nutley), Elizabeth Foster-Krim (Maplewood) and Victor Magnusson (GLen Ridge) (first row) Second row: Jack Hagan (West Orange), Raina Bhagat (Livingston), Simran Puri (Watchung) and Meryl McCLean (West Orange)

Information and images courtesy of Youth Orchestras of Essex County.