Orange County Musicians Play with Pacific Symphony, 4/30 & 5/1

Last season, Pacific Symphony asked "OC Can You Play With Us?" and got a resounding and positive response from community musicians across Orange County. This year, back by popular demand, the Symphony is offering four sessions over two nights for adult amateur musicians (ages 22 and older) to perform alongside the orchestra, under the direction of Music Director Carl St.Clair. Taking place tonight, April 30, and Tuesday, May 1, at 7 p.m., this year's event offers twice the number of spots-bringing the number of musicians to 200-for a unique opportunity to rehearse and perform selections from Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet" on the stage of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Although the program is considered full, the Symphony is pulling from a waiting list up until the event dates. 

Friends, fans and interested observers are invited to attend this workshop-style event for free (seating is general admission: reserve tickets online). Find music tips and interact with the musicians on the OC Can You Play With Us? Facebook page. Watch a video and find out more on our website. For more information, contact Alicia Frye at (714) 876-2386 or afrye@pacificsymphony.org for more information. 

 "Last year, music enthusiasts from all over Orange County came to Pacific Symphony's home, the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, and sat right onstage next to our musicians. We made beautiful music, and we made a lot of new friends," says Maestro St.Clair. 

"This was such a wonderful experience; the musicians and I had such a great time that we are extending this to two evenings this year." 

Registration opened on Feb. 1, and participants were chosen on a first-come first-served basis with no audition required. They have now received their music in preparation for the performance of selections from Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet," including "Montagues and Capulets," "Minuet," "Balcony Scene" and "Tybalt's Death." Unique this year, participants may attend an optional rehearsal led by conductor Sharon Lavery and sectionals led by Symphony musicians Ian McKinnell (strings), Cindy Ellis (woodwinds) and David Stetson (brass) on April 14. The night of the performance, participants are invited to attend a private reception with the musicians. Also new this year, "OC Can You Play With Us?" has a Facebook page, where participants may ask questions, read music tips and interact with Symphony musicians. Find it at http://www.facebook.com/OCCanYouPlayWithUs? 

 "Last year was great…but this year is going to be even better as we get to have an additional rehearsal practice and a sectional!" says past participant Matt Wood, president of the Laguna Concert Band. "Bravo Pacific Symphony! Thanks for the program!"

"OC Can You Play With Us?" offers a unique opportunity for amateur musicians to not only play with the professionals, but to perform under the direction of Maestro St.Clair and to gain the experience of playing in one of the most acoustically and architecturally advancEd Halls in the world," says Alicia Frye, community arts participation associate. 

One new participant this year, Dennis McNutt, playing the bass, grew up in West Africa without electricity or any modern conveniences. His love of music grew from the few classical records his family played on a wind-up phonograph, and one time he heard a bass performed in an unusual manner in a church in Ghana. He has dreamed of playing the bass ever since, and after retirement he finally found a teacher. He is now preparing to perform onstage with not only the Symphony but his daughter and son-in-law, who are also participating.

"Learning a musical instrument surely would have been easier as a youth, but as a mature adult I have the passion and focused determination to improve each year. This also provides daily rigorous exercise for my brain, as it tries to master something new, difficult and wonderful," says McNutt. He adds, "Having the opportunity to play with world-class musicians is a bit like a wannabe football player being invited to the Super Bowl, except no one will get hurt!"  

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