GBYO Concert With Special Guest, Sunday

BRIDGEPORT — The Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras (GBYO) will present the second concert of the season on Sunday, February 11, at 3 pm, at Klein Auditorium.

The concert will feature performances by each of the four ensembles of the GBYO — String Orchestra, conducted by Carrie Mascaro; Concert Orchestra, under the direction of Dorothy A. Straub; Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Howard Hsu; and Principal Orchestra, conducted by GBYO Music Director Robert S. Genualdi.

This season marks the final year in the tenure of Mr Genualdi, who has been the GBYO Music Director since 1981. As part of the continuing celebration of this long relationship, this concert will feature Joseph Genualdi, Robert’s son, performing as violin soloist in Felix Mendelssohn’s Concerto for Violin in E minor with the GBYO Principal Orchestra, whose membership includes Joshua Fintz of Sandy Hook.

The younger Genualdi, founding member of the Chicago Chamber Musicians, is one of the most noted violinists performing chamber music today. He is first violinist of Chicago String Quartet and he has appeared with the Marlboro Music Festival, the Los Angeles Piano Quartet and was a founding first violinist of the Muir Quartet.

The GBYO membership includes more than 265 young musicians from over 30 towns in Fairfield and New Haven Counties. They range in age from 10 to 18 years and are selected and seated by competitive auditions held at the beginning of the season.

Among the other works on this weekend’s program are the Overture to The Barber of Seville by Rossini, “Jupiter—Bringer of Jollity” from The Planets by Holst, and the beloved Chorale Prelude, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, by J.S. Bach.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors, and may be purchased at the Klein Auditorium after 2 pm, on the day of performance or by contacting GBYO Executive Director Barbara Upton at 203-459-4249. For additional information about the orchestras visit GBYO.org.