Everyone is invited to a program of light classical pieces and melodious standards to be performed by the Cumberland Valley School of Music String Orchestra free of charge on Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 8 p.m. at the Thomson Hall Alumnae Chapel. Location of the semi-annual string concert is on the Wilson College Campus. A guest conductor and a fun audience quiz will be included in the evening.
Director Herman Hopple said that he wanted to choose pieces appealing to both his audience and the performers.
“My goal was to select a good variety of music, representing different styles. I wanted pieces that the orchestra members could communicate well musically, so that the audience could appreciate what the tunes are expressing,” Hopple said.
He added that while he wanted the music to be playable, he also aimed to develop the musicality of his orchestra. He said that he will also challenge the musicality of his listeners with a light-hearted quiz. The audience will be asked to fill in the blanks on their programs to identify three tunes when the notes are played in reverse!
Approximately 25 violin, viola, cello and string bass players from the area are uniting to present selections including a march, dance, polka and a popular ballad. Performers include several local music instructors.
Included in the program are two Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart pieces: the lively “Marshce for Orchestra, K335” and a duet called, “A Classical Muse.” Mozart wrote over 600 works and is a well-loved performer of the Classical Era who lived from 1756 to 1791. The group will also present the “Hungarian Dance No. 7” by Johannes Brahms and as arranged by David A. Gordon. Brahms, who lived from 1833 to 1897, was a virtuoso pianist who premiered many of his own works.
The musical pace will be changed with the “Pizzicato Polka” by romantic Austrian composer Johann Strauss, Jr., who became well-known in the early 1800s. The John Allenberg arrangement will take place under the baton of guest conductor Gene Herritt. A guest conductor earns the honorary spot in the program for the fall concerts, Hopple said, by winning the baton during the popular CVSM Annual Elegant Dinner Dance and Auction, held each February.
“The Rose”, written by Amanda McBroom and arranged by Jennings, will also be among the selections performed by the orchestra. McBroom, an American singer, lyricist, actress and cabaret singer, wrote the tune in the 1970s. The song was made famous by actress Bette Midler who recorded it for the soundtrack of the 1979 film by the same name.
According to Hopple, many of his musicians return yearly to perform with the orchestra. New members are also welcome to join the group for free. Any string player interested in performing with the orchestra is invited to contact the school at (717)-261-1220 for further details.
Hopple has provided double bass and electric bass instructions at CVSM since 1999. As a former public school string teacher and orchestra director, he has experience in teaching all ages of students.
