The West Virginia University Symphony Orchestra will join two high school groups, the John Marshall Chamber Orchestra and Wheeling Park Select Strings, for a Side-By-Side Orchestra Concert on April 16 at 7 p.m. at the John Marshall High School Center for Performing Arts.
The free community concert will feature each ensemble on its own, a joint performance by the two high schools, and a combined piece that brings together all three orchestras on stage.
“We’re so excited to collaborate with the John Marshall and Wheeling Park orchestras,” said Dr. Rotem Weinberg, Director of Orchestral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at WVU. “This concert is a wonderful way to highlight the strong music education happening in our state and to build lasting connections between our students and the next generation of musicians.”
The WVU Symphony Orchestra is a principal ensemble of the WVU School of Music at the WVU College of Creative Arts and Media. The group of more than 60 undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of degree programs primarily performs at the Canady Creative Arts Center in Morgantown, W.Va.
The upcoming concert in the northern panhandle is part of a special outreach by the WVU School of Music designed to connect university musicians with students and families across West Virginia to share the joy of live performance, celebrate local music programs, and inspire high school students to continue their musical journey after graduation.
“Marshall and Ohio County Schools offer comprehensive music programs, providing performance opportunities through band, choir, and orchestra. The trio of ensembles, a rarity throughout the Ohio Valley and state, provides students with a wealth of musical experiences,” said Justin Jones, Orchestra Director at John Marshall High School. “John Marshall and Wheeling Park are excited to welcome the WVU Orchestra to the northern panhandle and have our students perform in a special side-by-side experience.”
The John Marshall Chamber Orchestra, directed by Justin Jones, and Wheeling Park Select Strings, directed by Laura Grube, are audition-based ensembles that rehearse outside of the curricular day. Members from these ensembles serve as ambassadors for their respective programs at community functions throughout the year.
The Side-By-Side Orchestra Concert on April 16 at 7 p.m. at John Marshall High School in Glen Dale, W.Va., is open to the public and no tickets are required.
For more information about the WVU School of Music and upcoming events, visit music.wvu.edu.
