| A part of the Island Senior Symphony, the Senior String Ensemble
is a group of about
twenty string musicians ranging in age from 56 to 92, who meet on
Friday mornings at
the South Huntington Library from 9:30 AM until noon. Currently under
the direction of
Franklin Verbsky, the Senior String Ensemble explores the wealth
of music written for
strings only, rather than the standard symphonic repertoire. Occasionally,
a soloist from the woodwind or brass sections of the full orchestra will join the group to perform a concerto.
At times, the
String Ensemble reads new music by local composers, written for strings
only. This gives
the composers an opportunity to hear their works in an informal setting.
The Senior Strings was formed about 12 years ago when Howard Cinnamon,
conductor of the Senior Symphony, was unavailable on Friday mornings. When the full orchestra
moved its rehearsal day from Friday to Thursday, it suggested to many members an opportunity to form a new group that would meet during the Friday rehearsal time. They requested the support of the Senior Symphony
Board to continue to meet on Fridays as a string ensemble. Enjoying the diversity
of the music, many members participate in both groups.
The Senior String Ensemble performs concerts about every eight weeks.
With a new program for each concert, the musicians are constantly challenged
to learn this new music. The group usually plays independently in senior centers,
senior health facilities, and libraries, but has also given joint concerts with the full
Senior Symphony. In recent years , the Senior String Ensemble has performed
for the residents of the East Northport Atria, and the residents of Birchwood
Health Center in Huntington Station. The group also performed at the Huntington Senior
Nutrition Center.
Since part of the Senior String Ensemble’s mission is to introduce
young people to the joys of classical music, some of the concerts are given especially for
children. In pursuit of this goal, the Senior String Ensemble has performed children’s concerts
at the Rosemary Kennedy School in Wantagh, the South Huntington Public Library,
and the Northport Library. These concerts have featured soloists from both the Full Senior Symphony and the String Ensemble. Among the soloists have been trumpeter,
John Bracco, performing Purcell’s Sonata for Trumpet and Strings, violinists
Neal Wachenheimer and Barbara Weber, performing Bach's Concerto for Two Violins, and others.
For further information about the Senior String Ensemble, please
contact conductor, Franklin Verbsky or Media Liaison, Nancy Maia.
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