LAKE COUNTY — The Clear Lake Performing Arts (CLPA) Youth Orchestra has started rehearsals for the spring season. The young string students had an exciting opportunity recently to work with a noted guest conductor, Rachelle Davis, D.M.A. Davis, conductor of the Pacific Union College Orchestra, directed a two-hour workshop and greatly inspired the members with her enthusiasm. It was a privilege to have a guest conductor of her caliber visiting us in Lake County.
The group is also planning a field trip to an orchestra concert at Pacific Union College in Angwin to see other young people perform. The PUC orchestra consists of high school and college students.
The CLPA Youth Orchestra encourage all ages and levels of string players (violin, viola, cello or bass) to join this exciting youth group. Since the discontinuation of the Schools String Program, Clear Lake Performing Arts is offering string instruction in this county-wide youth orchestra.
The youth orchestra is working on selections by several composers from Vivaldi to Bartok to Irving Berlin. The youth orchestra, under the direction of Wes Follett, will be performing on Sunday, May 11 at the Lake County Symphony Concert. They practice on Sunday evenings at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, with the beginning group starting at 5:30 p.m. and the intermediate/advanced level starting at 6 p.m.
If you are interested in joining the group or just want to learn to play a string instrument, call coordinator Tamsen Serena at 928-9621, conductor Wes Follett at 279-1126, or CLPA Youth Program chairperson Andi Skelton at 279-4336.
Clear Lake Performing Arts, celebrating its 30th anniversary, not only supports the Lake County Symphony and presents a varied concert series, but also sponsors many youth music education opportunities. In addition to the county-wide youth orchestra, CLPA offers concerts in the schools and financial assistance to music students or groups. CLPA offers a college scholarship program for students who play in the Lake County Symphony or Mendocino College Symphonic Band and also an opportunity for advanced students to play in the symphony if they are too young for the scholarship program. Currently 13-year-old violinist, Aaron Bielenberg is a youth member, and high school cellist Amanda Bronson is in the college scholarship program.
For information about CLPA, call 279-0877 or check out its Web site www.ClearLakePerformingArts.com.
