Newtown Musicians Included—

GBYO Opener Will Honor America

BRIDGEPORT — The four orchestras of the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras (GBYO) will kick off their 41st season on Sunday, November 18, at 3 pm, by returning to the refurbished Klein Memorial Auditorium in Bridgeport. Two hundred twenty young musicians in grades four through 12 are members of GBYO’s four orchestras.

Musicians were all selected by competitive auditions in late August and represent 24 communities in the Greater Bridgeport Area. Students from Newtown and Sandy Hook involved this year include Emily Koh, Irene Koh, Alison Lones, Sheila O’Connor, Kristen Provost, Ben Snyder, and Christopher Thibdeau.

The upcoming concert, dedicated to those lost in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on America, will begin with the String Orchestra (Mark Ribbens, conductor) performing “The Star Spangled Banner,” and conclude with the Principal Orchestra accompanying the audience in singing “God Bless America.” Marianne Challis, a soprano and GBYO parent, will lead the singing.

Other pieces on the program include Judas Maccbeus Suite by G.F. Handel, to be performed by the Concert Orchestra under the baton of Dorothy A. Straub, and Berlioz’s “March to the Scaffold” from Symphony Fantastique with Christopher James Hisey conducting the Symphony Orchestra.

The Principal Orchestra, under the direction of Robert Genualdi, music director and Principal Orchestra conductor, will also perform Academic Festival Overture by Brahms, Symphony No. 2 by Giannini, and Heritage of Freedom by Goldsmith.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students and senior citizens. For information about the concert, directions or membership call Barb Upton at 203-459-4249.