By Tina Alvey
Register-Herald Reporter
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Some of the musicians on stage during this year’s annual Beckley Area Foundation Labor Day concert may look a little young for membership in the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
Ten members of the New River Youth Symphony and Chorus (NRYSC) have been invited to sit in with the WVSO, thanks to Larry Ford, chairman of the 2010 concert.
“It was my goal this year to include some local entities,” Ford noted. “Having the youth perform with the symphony is brand new this year. It’s never been done since I’ve been involved with the concert.”
He added, “It’s a great opportunity for these students.”
The students agree. Sam Casto explained the selection process, saying, “As percussion section leader, I was given the opportunity to participate.”
The 16-year-old from Fayetteville said, “I’m a little nervous, but I’m looking forward to it. I’ve never played with musicians like these.”
Violinist Perri Kiser, who lives in Hico, has been with New River since the group’s beginning, five years ago. Aspiring to a career in music, Kiser is only days away from her 13th birthday.
“I’m very excited about this performance,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to playing with a big orchestra.”
Also playing violins during this special performance are Ben Casto, Nathanial Ramsey and Elyse Robinson. Christa Neal will play the viola, Kendra Ramsey the cello, Azriel Ashmore the oboe, Tim Bailey the clarinet and Christina Bailey the trumpet.
The concert, which is free to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. at the Woodrow Wilson High School auditorium on Monday, Sept. 6.
The Labor Day concert is now in its 24 year. Dress is casual.
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Directed by William Bailey and Judith Arnold, the NRYSC is open to students in the southern West Virginia region, encompassing Raleigh, Nicholas, Fayette, Mercer and Greenbrier counties.
Each component — symphony and chorus — boasts a membership of around 30, a third to half of whom participate in both programs.
“We have a beginner course that starts at about age 5,” explained Agnes Casto, NRYSC’s general manager, adding that participants in the symphony and chorus range in age from 8 to 24.
“We have a number of students who have been with us since high school and have stayed beyond their school years,” she noted.
The NRYSC stages five or six concerts each year, spread out over three seasons — spring, summer and fall. The spring concerts are held in various locations across the region from which the organization draws members.
“It offers our best opportunity to show what we do and encourage local support,” Casto said.
Unless the venue requires an admission charge, NRYSC concerts are free.
The summer season schedule focuses on one major concert coupled with an ice cream social. The fall season, running from September through November, wraps up the program’s year.
“We try to schedule our fall concerts before the snow starts flying,” Casto said. “We take the winter off because we don’t want that precious cargo on the road in bad weather.”
For additional information on the organization, go to the NRYSC website at newrivermusic.org or call 304-574-3567. Auditions for the upcoming fall season will begin Sept. 13.
— E-mail: talvey@register-herald.com
