SEQUIM — The Sequim Community Orchestra is inviting music lovers to its final concert of the season Friday, an evening of Mozart, Berlioz and other masters.
Admission is free to the 7 p.m. performance at Trinity United Methodist Church, 100 S. Blake Ave.
One of the newest additions to Clallam County’s arts community, the orchestra is composed of players across the age spectrum.
They have one thing in common, said co-founder Lilias Green: They all love the camaraderie and joy of making music together.
“We’re a diverse group, ages 12 to mid-80s,” she noted. “The range of ages creates a feeling of family.”
“This will be an energetic and fun-filled concert,” added Phil Morgan-Ellis, the orchestra’s director.
Some Sequim Community Orchestra players are high school students, others are adults with full-time jobs, and still others are retirees who decided to try something brand-new.
“A few of our older members did not begin to learn an instrument until retiring,” Green said.
There are also players who picked up their instruments in elementary school, then played through high school and college — but after starting their careers, put their instruments away.
On Friday night, following months of rehearsal with Morgan-Ellis, all of the above will step up.
Works in lineup
Among the musical works the 30-member orchestra will offer:
■ Two Mozart allegros, one from his Symphony No. 25 and one from “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.”
■ “Variations on a Hebrew Folk Song,” by Harry Alshin.
■ “Marche Militaire Française,” by Camille Saint-Saëns.
■ The allegro ma non troppo from Dvorak’s Eighth Symphony.
■ Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Greensleeves,” with featured harpist Janeen Kelm and flutists Martha Baker and Kristen Larson.
After the concert, everyone will be invited to stay for refreshments and conversation. Green and Morgan-Ellis are especially eager to talk about the orchestra’s plans to offer a music program for fourth-graders in Sequim’s public schools this fall.
Morgan-Ellis, who taught for many years in Port Angeles schools, is preparing a stringed-instruments program for Sequim students to start in September.
In the meantime, the Sequim Community Orchestra welcomes new musicians, no audition required. After a summer break, rehearsals will be held weekly at the James Center for the Performing Arts, 202 N. Blake Ave., starting in the fall.
Potential members are encouraged to email info@SequimCommunityOrchestra.org or phone 360-681-5469. More information also is at www.SequimCommunityOrchestra.org.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
