Sunday, April 29, 2012
A new twist on the old joke: How do you get to Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center?? Practice – Practice – Practice….. Well, I discovered an easier way: let your grand-daughter do the practicing and you sit in the audience bursting with pride during the concert!
Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center
My older grand-daughter has been studying the viola for a couple of years. Last September she auditioned successfully for a viola position in the Westchester Elementary Strings of the Greater Westchester Youth Orchestras Association. She practiced every Monday evening with her orchestra and also practices diligently every day at home. She’s such a great kid!!
Banner
GWYOA is comprised of three student orchestras: the Westchester Elementary Strings – grades 4-6, the Westchester Junior Strings -grades 7-9, and the Westchester Youth Symphony – high school grades 10-12. There are approximately 100 students in each group. During the holidays the orchestras are invited to play at other venues.
Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center
The GWYOA’s fall concert was held in the main theater at SUNY Purchase and all three orchestras sounded wonderful. Their gala spring concert was held this afternoon at the home of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra: Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center. We have been attending performances of the NY Philharmonic there since 1975. What a treat to go to Avery Fisher Hall to hear my grand-daughter play her viola in her youth orchestra!!
Westchester Youth Strings
The Westchester Elementary Strings played beautifully! They played five classical pieces by Antonio Vivaldi, Ottorino Respighi, Johann Strauss Jr., Keith Sharp, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. All the performers were poised and confident, and put on a fabulous performance. All the beaming parents and grandparents were bursting with pride. It was a real thrill to watch my grand-daughter on that stage!
The Fountain at Lincoln Center
My grand-daughter might not become a professional violist, but now she can proudly say, “I played at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center!” :-)