Pop goes the Orchestra! (Or maybe pops).
Mood:  lyrical
Now Playing: USC Performing Arts Center
Topic: Beaufort Orchestra
The Beaufort Orchestra did it again! In case you haven’t been keeping score, they just keep getting better. Last night’s performance was genuinely delightful. In the period of 15 months that this reporter has witnessed, the orchestra has improved its technical prowess, its tonality and its dynamic range. That means it sounds good, as Sam Goldwyn might say.

How many times have you attended a world premiere? I have managed a grand total of one in over 60 years of trying. Last night proved the clincher as the orchestra under the baton of Fred Devyatkin presented Dick Goodwin’s Sea Island Sketches. This suite in four movements said it all, even though this listener expected the third movement, Island Soirees, to be a bit more mystical. Dick Goodwin is professor emeritus at USC The suite was preceded by his Paraph for Clarinet and Orchestra played by his longtime friend and fellow professor, Doug Graham. Graham’s mastery of his instrument was obvious by the third measure.

The other selection prior to intermission was Copland’s Variations on a Shaker Melody (Simple Gifts) from the suite Appalachian Spring. I had the opportunity to hear Aaron Copland on the occasion of his eightieth birthday concert at the Kennedy Center . He performed as one of the pianists in the four-handed Danzon Cubano which he wrote in 1942, the same year he wrote Rodeo (Ballet), A Lincoln Portrait, Fanfare for the Common Man, and Music for the Movies. Copland provided the link to the second half of the performance. The Danzon, like Heitor Villa-Lobos’ Batuque, reminded of Glenn Gould’s Latin American Symphonette. At this point it truly became a pops concert with selections from the mega-hit Les Miserables and the popular Disney film, Pirates of the Carribean.

Thinking Outside the Bachs
Mood:  lyrical
Now Playing: Music at Moss Place
Topic: Beaufort Orchestra
The future of the Beaufort Orchestra was on display last night at Moss Place in Old Point and the future is looking (and sounding) good. In a salute to the weather, the string section Handeled the Royal Fireworks Music to the delight of the assembled.

The Marine Corps Brass section of this year's edition of Beaufort Orchestra led things off with a mini concert on the porch of the Edgar Means house now known as Moss Place. They were followed by the violins and cellos of the Beaufort Youth Orchestra. Among the works played by the kids was an original composition of Hugh Waldon, cellist. Hugh's work showed a musical maturity well beyond his 16 years. Hugh has been studying music for exactly one eighth of his life. He is a typanist with the adult orchestra and studies piano as well as cello. The strings played the 2nd movement from his original composition, Op. 8 for String Quartet #1 in C Major. It was dedicated to Maestro Frederick Devyatkin and, as Fred announced, the full piece will be played at a concert next season! Hugh won the statewide composition competition and is moving on to the regionals.

The hors d'oeurvres were outstanding, the wine flowed freely and the attendees were genuinely glad to see each other and the musicians. If you weren't there, not to worry. The Beaufort Youth Orchestra will perform in the Carolina Room of the Dataw Island Clubhouse on April 28th at 7:30pm. Admission to the Youth orchestra Concerts is always free. Call Sandie Rotter, member of the Orchestra Board and coordinator for the Youth Orchestra at 838-5615 for more details.