OSL Hosts Its Second Amateur Musicians Showcase, 1/11

Orchestra of St. Luke's (OSL) will continue its OSL@DMC series of free events atThe DiMenna Center for Classical Music on January 11, 2013 with a concert showcasing the new Amateur Musicians Project (AMP). Four AMP ensembles will perform works by Bach, Beethoven, Bruch and Schumann, and OSL musicians will provide a brief overview of their coaching work.

As part of OSL's vision to connect multiple communities with world-class musicians, AMP offers an immersive chamber music coaching program to local amateur musicians. Launched in September 2011, the program includes rehearsals and coaching sessions with OSL musicians and professionally-produced showcase concerts at The DiMenna Center at the end of each session.

Since opening The DiMenna Center in March 2011, OSL has used its state-of-the-art home to expand community programs. The AMP Showcase provides a rare opportunity for non-professional musicians to work in a superior environment while delving into repertoire, discovering new musical techniques and making musical connections that will last a lifetime.

"These amateur musicians have been incredible to work with," said OSL coach and principal violist Louise Schulman. "Their purpose, passion and commitment have grown since the start, and I look forward to their performance. I feel this is a tremendous addition to OSL's outreach program."

AMP is produced in collaboration with the Amateur Classical Musicians Association (ACMA). ACMA was founded in 2007 to provide opportunities for dedicated, nonprofessional classical musicians to play solo and ensemble works in front of an appreciative audience.

Through its ongoing OSL@DMC series, OSL presents free events that connect audiences to the artistic process of composers and musicians. The OSL@DMC series will continue on February 28, 2013 when American composer Sean Shepherd will preview his new OSL commission along with the musicians of St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble. Maestro Iván Fischer will return to The DiMenna Center on March 27, 2013 for an OSL@DMC open rehearsal of J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion that will preview his concert with OSL the following evening at Carnegie Hall. The 2012/2013 OSL@DMC series will conclude on April 26, 2013 with a virtual open rehearsal of St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble's Three Part Inventionsprogram hosted by WQXR's Terrance McKnight.