The Ozark Festival Orchestra, based in Monett, will continue its 45th season with its Young Artists concert at 3 p.m. on March 23 at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center.
The OFO’s Young Artists program selects talented young people from southwest Missouri with the opportunity to perform as a soloist in a concerto movement or vocal excerpt with the full orchestra. Auditions this year drew 19 contestants from as far away as West Plains seeking the opportunity to perform. Judges selected seven performers presenting six selections.
The concert, under the baton of Music Director Carla Wootton, will open with “Four Scottish Dances” by English composer Malcolm Arnold. The orchestra will also play the “Hungarian March” by
French composer Hector Berlioz.
The Young Artists are:
• John Suh, percussionist from Springfield, play ing Leroy Anderson’s “The Typewriter”
• Sally Erb, violinist from Springfield, playing a movement from a violin concerto by Vivaldi
• William Dodson, classical guitarist from Fair Grove, playing from “Fantasia for a Gentleman” by Rodrigo
• Ezekiel Kolb, oboist from Springfield, playing from Mozart’s oboe concerto
• Felicity Womack, violinist from Rogersville, playing from Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3
• Katherine Wendt, violinist from Carthage, also playing from Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3
• The duo of Abigail Weeks, soprano from Clever, and Isaac Walker, baritone from Oldfield, singing a duet from Mozart’s opera “The Magic Flute”
Admission to the concert will be $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and free to children high school age and younger. Monett High School is located at 1 David Sippy Drive, off East Cleveland Avenue (Business Hwy. 60) at the east end of the city, next to Price Cutter Supermarket.
Michael and Phyllis Garrett, of Monett, are sponsors for this concert.
Players from Barry and Lawrence counties include: David Oliphant, Christina Oliphant, Jennifer Oliphant, Katie Oliphant, Michele Oliphant, Moira Oliphant and Trent Oliphant, all of Cassville;
A.J. Thurgood, Alicyn Wilson, Elizabeth Snarey, Gina Milburn, Stefani Stovall, Phyllis Garrett, Carol Dahlstrom and Mareena Snarey, all of Monett; LeAna Colf, of Seligman; Holly Thompson, of Eagle Rock;
Nancy Hitchcock, of Rocky Comfort; Sarah Willson, of Purdy; Jana Wilson, of Aurora; and Julie Waetke-Bishoff, Murray Bishoff, Abigail Russell and Jadon Russell, all of Pierce City.
The OFO is a community orchestra composed of players from southwest Missouri and nearby towns, focusing primarily on classical music. The orchestra is a 501(c)3 not-for profit organization supported
by sponsors, memberships, local foundations, ads in the orchestra program book, and funds managed by the Monett Community Foundation.
Additional information is available at www.ozarkfestivalorchestra.org or Facebook at “Ozark Festival Orchestra.”
