McLean Orchestra: Anniversary Season Begins this Saturday

Happy Birthday McLean Orchestra!! Embarking on its 40th anniversary, the group has an exciting slate of five concerts for the coming season.

 “The McLean Orchestra has grown from a small community orchestra 40 years ago to a cultural staple in the Greater McLean area," said John Huling, Executive Director of the Orchestra, who said he is looking forward to this year’s anniversary celebration.

"Our increasingly popular concerts and our ongoing mission with our McLean Youth Orchestra make our arrival at this time in our history very special," he said. "October 8th at 8 p.m. at the Oakcrest School in McLean we are opening with Fireworks, our first concert in this season's long celebration. We are as excited about our future as we are proud of our past,” he said.

Fireworks

Sat. Oct. 8, 8 p.m., J. Ernest Green, conductor, Oakcrest School

Featuring a selection of exuberant music to kickoff the season, the concert will climax with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Post-concert, there is a cake and champagne reception during which audience members are encouraged to mingle with the conductor and musicians.

Green is a veteran of the McLean Orchestra and led a rousing performance with last year’s holiday concert. He said, “When I conducted in McLean last season I was struck by the energy and excitement that the players, the board and the audience have for the orchestra. When you get to know The McLean Orchestra you discover that this is not just another regional orchestra, but rather it is a group of musicians and volunteers that are truly passionate about their orchestra ... and it shows. I am thrilled to be making music with them.”

Holiday Mozart

Nov. 13, 3 p.m.

A. Scott Wood, conductor

St. Francis Episcopal Church, Great Falls

This fundraising concert features violin prodigy 11 year old Emma Resmini in a Mozart flute concerto, after which the orchestra will perform the powerful Jupiter Symphony. The special concert is previewed by a question and answer session with Wood and Resmini, with a cake and champagne reception to follow.

Of Resmini, Huling said, “She’s a ridiculously talented and sweet young woman.”

A Christmas Around the World

Dec. 3 and 4, 8 p.m. and 3 p.m. respectively

A. Scott Wood, conductor

Oakcrest School

This family-friendly concert features holiday favorites such as Sleigh Ride, Handel’s Messiah and selections from The Nutcracker. According to Huling, “This tends to be our most popular concert with sing-a-longs, and Santa shows up with candy canes.”

A Night at the Opera

Feb. 11, 2012, 8 p.m.

Miriam Burns, conductor

Oakcrest School

This Valentine’s Day concert provides an evening of romance with selections from classic operas such as La Traviata, Tosca, Carmen and a suite from West Side Story.

A Song, a Dance and a Story

March 24, 2012, 8 p.m.

J. Ernest Green, conductor

Oakcrest School

Each piece in this concert represents either a song, a dance or a story. Highlights include Grainger’s Irish Tune from County Derry (Danny Boy), Ravel’s Bolero and Mother Goose Suite.

VIVA ITALIA!

May 12, 2012, 8 p.m.

Jon Kalbfleisch, conductor

Oakcrest School

The McLean Orchestra season finale features a musical salute to Italy climaxing with Respighi’s The Pines of Rome. The Italian theme is intended to tie in with the orchestra’s annual fundraiser on April 14, which will be held at the Italian Embassy in D.C.

McLean Youth Orchestra (MYO)

The MYO will hold two free concerts this upcoming season, both at the Oakcrest School. The first event will be a Holiday Concert on Dec. 11. The spring concert will be on April 24, 2012.

Ticket Information

For the first time, the McLean Orchestra is offering season ticket packages for all five concerts.

Season pass: $50 - $120

Individual Concert Tickets: $15 - $30

More information: http://mclean-orchestra.org/tickets

Read the history of the McLean Orchestra.

Coincidentally, the McLean Symphony also celebrates its 40th anniversary and will commence its season on Oct. 22.  Keep a look-out for information about their exciting season.