HSO Concert At Shepaug Will Benefit After School Arts Program

WASHINGTON — Hartford Symphony, one of the nation’s leading regional orchestras, will provide a rare treat for lovers of classical music in this region by giving a benefit concert at Shepaug High School on Saturday, January 7, at 7:30 pm, for ASAP, the high school’s after school arts program.

The visit by the symphony to Shepaug also is providing a rare opportunity for  talented music students to work closely with members of the orchestra.

Since early November, conductor John Eells and the best teaching professionals in the orchestra have been holding weekly rehearsals with 15 students, eighth graders through twelfth graders. Most of the students are from Shepaug but the group additionally includes student-musicians  from Rumsey Hall, The Gunnery and Schaghticoke Middle School in New Milford.

The student-musicians have been learning Bizet’s L’Arlesienne, which they will perform, side by side with orchestra members, for more than 1,000 of their fellow students during the school day on January 6, and then again at the evening concert for the general public on January 7.

The joint project with Hartford Symphony Orchestra is the highlight of ASAP’s activities for the 2005-06 school year, and it fits prefectly with ASAP’s mission, which is “to increase appreciation for the arts through active participation, and to promote exploration and development of individual expression.”

Established in 1999 as a nonprofit organization, ASAP’s rapid expansion reflects the widespread desire to give more prominence to the arts in education and community life.

Working closely with professional artists and arts organizations, ASAP’s offerings this year include more than seventy workshops, educational events, and field trips in the literary, performing and visual arts. These programs are open to students in public and private schools from grades K through 12 as well as – a recent addition – to adults.

The concert by Hartford Symphony Orchestra is ASAP’s principal fundraising event for the year. Proceeds will be used to provide scholarships for participants in its programs as well as to support the activities themselves.

Tickets are $20 for students, $30 for general admission, $50 for reserved seating, and $100 for a patron ticket, which includes reserved seating, a listing in the program, and a reception with members of the orchestra following the concert.

For the first time, ASAP also is offering a Golden Patron package this year. For $1,000, the golden patron will receive four regular patron tickets, recognition in the program  as a sponsor of the concert and Significant Friend of ASAP, plus free admission to a workshop of one’s choice.

Tickets can be ordered by telephone (860-868-0740) or email (asap0740@hotmail.com).

They also can be purchased at Hickory Stick Bookshop in Washington, Baileywick Books in New Milford, and Video World in Woodbury.

Shepaug High School is on School Street in Washington.