Published: August 12, 2006 11:24 pm      

Tuned In

Young musicians forming symphony orchestra, chorus

There’s a big sound coming out of a small Fayette County community.

The New River Symphony has been tuning up for about two months now. Soon, auditions will be held for new members and for vocalists to form the New River Youth Chorus.

The instrumentalists’ group began with some young people who enjoy playing a variety of stringed instruments and some who like to share their vocal talents.

“There was quite a bit of interest for a stringed orchestra,” said William Bailey, conductor, who also serves a band director at Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley. “The violin is a very popular instrument among young people in these parts.”

However, there was no venue aside from music recitals in which the young people could perform.

“The students wanted a performance outlet. Different families began talking about it, and in June, we got an orchestra and chorus organized,” Bailey said.

Some of the group’s goals are listed in its mission statement:

- Inspiring young people to strive for excellence in the fine arts

- Promoting cooperation and leadership through group endeavor

- Developing musicianship and improving technical skills through the study of orchestral and vocal literature

- Encouraging and understanding of music in relation to history and culture

- Providing musical outlets for the young people of Southern West Virginia, as well as providing pleasing concerts for the general public

“Choosing to live and raise our families in rural West Virginia does not mean that we have to tell our children that performing in an ensemble with other serious young musicians is not a possibility,” said Agnes Casto, general manager of the group. “Music is very much a part of our heritage, and Southern West Virginia produces many serious young musicians. We simply need to think ‘outside the box’ and look for ways to bring these young people together on a regular basis to experience the power and camaraderie of practicing and preparing for a ‘bravo’ performance.”

The group is made up three ensembles:

- The New River Youth Symphony is designed for intermediate and advanced young musicians, ages 8 to 24.

- The New River Cadet Orchestra is designed for beginning instrumental musicians.

- The New River Youth Chorus, ages 7-24, will include a beginner choir for ages 7-10 and intermediate and advanced choirs for ages 8-24 as students develop musically, and ability presents itself, said Judith Arnold, conductor of the chorus.

A former teacher of voice and choirs in the Charleston area and an accomplished soloist, Arnold will hold auditions for vocalists in September.

“I’m looking for boys and girls who can match pitch and who are interested in the discipline of singing,” she said. “Sometimes I have students who are there because Mom and Dad want them there. I want young people who have an interest in music and singing.”

She will introduce children to several types of music including folk, modern and classical.

“I want young people to have fun with music, and I want them to learn to make beautiful music and to appreciate different styles of music,” Arnold said.

She hopes there will be enough interested singers to have several choirs within the chorus.

“My vision is to see this idea expand to include more of the fine arts, but for now, we will start with the music and see how far we go.”

Children ages 7 through high school interested in auditioning should call Arnold at 574-1142.

Instrumentalists rehearse about 90 minutes each Thursday night at the Christ Fellowship church on Nickleville Road in Fayetteville. Auditions will be held soon for the fall season.

Instrumentals needed include those who play the viola, violin, double bass, cello and timpani.

“We could also use another good horn player,” Bailey said.

Students will perform in concert near the end of the fall season, take a break in cold months, hold auditions again in the spring.

For more information about the orchestra, call 574-3567.

— E-mail: bdavis@register-herald.com