A Unique Youth Orchestra Experience April 20, 2008

Littleton Youth Symphony
A Unique Youth Orchestra Experience
René Knetsch, conducting
 
The Littleton Youth Symphony, conducted by Rene Knetsch and Sarah Richardson, presents a Sampler Concert at 7:30 p.m., Monday, April 21 at First Presbyterian Church of Littleton, 1609 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton, Colorado.  Admission is free.  A reception will follow.  This concert offers samples of The Littleton Youth Symphony’s unique music education programs which include coached quartets and improv clinicians.  Students will present music selections performed by the Chamber Orchestra, the Training Orchestra, a student string quartet, and an improv jam session.
 
The program will include: Vivaldi’s Guitar Concerto, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto #3, the Junk Man Rag, Viking Ships of Old by local composer Susan H. Day, a string quartet by Mozart and an improv session led by Aaron Lande.
 
The public is also invited to the Dress Rehearsal of this concert at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, April 20 at First Presbyterian Church of Littleton, 1609 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton, Colorado.
 
Conductor René Knetsch received his master’s degree in violin performance from Wichita State University in 1976 and has since made his living in music, as a performing violinist, teacher and conductor. Before moving to Denver in 1994, he was a violinist with several professional orchestras, including Oklahoma, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Birmingham. While living in Birmingham, Alabama in the early 90's he played in the Alabama Symphony and was the music director of the Red Mountain Chamber Orchestra. Currently, René is the principal 2nd violinist with the Central City Opera Orchestra and the conductor of the orchestra at Arapahoe Community College. He and his wife Lynne are the violinists of the Confluence String Quartet, a group which presents concerts throughout the state. René also maintains a private teaching studio of approximately 30 students.
LYS Artistic Director Sarah Richardson said, “This orchestra is unique because every student gets to play chamber music every week, and no other orchestra does that. Then we give students the opportunity to practice their chamber music skills in a series of regular concerts and community service performances.   The goal of our varied programs is to show students that music offers them limitless possibilities.”  Richardson is a member of the Hausmusik Quartet of Colorado Springs and is Principal Violist of the Colorado Chamber Orchestra and the Mercury Ensemble. Sarah has been a member of the Central City Opera Orchestra since 2001.  Ms. Richardson also performs with the Colorado Symphony and Inside the Orchestra. In addition to her performing schedule, she maintains a private studio in Highlands Ranch.
 
Improv Clinician Aaron Lande is a graduate of UNC.  He is a member of the Central City Opera Orchestra, the Colorado Ballet and is Associate Concertmaster of the Greeley Philharmonic.  He as improvised extensively with Art Lande, Michael Fitzmaurice, Thomas Blomster, Mark Miller and Peter Sommer.  He has appeared with Smokey Robinson, Manhatten Transfer, Aaron Neville, Roberta Flack and the Trans Siberian Orchestra.  Lande also plays Death Metal and Black Metal as a drummer, formerly with Followed by Silence (RIP).  He is currently a member of Cryogen.
 
The LYS Training Orchestra provides a beginning orchestral program for elementary string players who have had one year of playing experience. Music games reinforce musicianship skills such as beginning music theory, rhythm and scale patterns and musical terms. 

The LYS Chamber Orchestra provides a unique opportunity for young musicians to experience both orchestral playing and chamber music performance. Each week students rehearse with both the string orchestra and their assigned chamber ensembles. All participants receive small ensemble coaching from qualified chamber music mentors.
 
Call 303-800-4LYS or visit www.littletonyouthsymphony for more information.     
 
Listing/PSA
Littleton Youth Symphony Orchestra
Sampler Concert
Monday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church of Littleton, 1609 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton, Colorado 80120
Admission is free.  A reception will follow.
Call 303-800-4LYS or visit www.littletonyouthsymphony for more information.     
The public is also invited to the Dress Rehearsal of this concert at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, April 20

Official Website: http://www.littletonyouthsymphony.org