District News

Community orchestra performs March 5

 

February, 2011

 

Canajoharie music teacher Leo Milman knows the local area brims with musical talent. Now, he’s out to spread the word.

With the help of Cobleskill-Richmondville High School music teacher Kevin Oates, Mr. Milman created a Canajoharie/Cobleskill community string orchestra. The orchestra includes two junior high students, members from both high schools, and a few community members.

The 37-member orchestra will practice throughout February, and then hold a special concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 5 at the Arkell Performing Arts Center.

“This is really a community project to show off all the talent we have here. If the community didn’t already know, they will now,” he said. “We have just as much talent as any place in the Capital region.”

The Canajoharie music department has a strong reputation for excellence. In 2005, it earned a Grammy Foundation Signature Enterprise School Award, and each year, the Empire State Youth Orchestra selects Canajoharie students to perform in its renowned ensembles.

The orchestra will present “Elegia” by Frank Erickson. The piece was originally written for a band, but Mr. Milman has arranged it for strings. Mr. Milman plans to conduct half of the performance and play the other half. When he’s playing, Mr. Oates takes the baton.

“It’s been my goal to promote the strings program and I think this will really help,” Mr. Milman said.

Tickets for the performance are $3 for adults and $2 for students.