Members of the community are invited to listen as nine Stanislaus County high school orchestras play in perfect harmony during Modesto Junior College’s High School Orchestra Day.

“This event gives each orchestra a chance to play for one another,” said MJC Community Orchestra Conductor and String Professor Anne Martin. “Additionally, high school music directors get new ideas about great string repertoire.”

During the event, students will perform works by composers including Brahms, Handel, Holst, Meyer, Mozart, Newbold, and Ravel. The event will also feature MJC music major Anthony Houth as soloist in Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Major.

“All high schools come together, interact, and see the progress we’re all making at different high schools and different levels,” said Pitman High School Chamber Orchestra concertmaster Elizabeth Nickerson. “It gives us a chance to listen to better orchestras, and also offer help to other musicians.”

Teachers will also get their chance to perform for their students. According to Martin, their performance is always a popular affair among students.

“The students enjoy hearing their teachers play and we enjoy their wild applause,” reported Martin.

The event will conclude as over 200 string players from all orchestras coming together to play Swallowtail Jig, an Irish fiddle tune.

“We always gain a great deal from this day because we get to hear other orchestras perform great music,” said PHS Orchestra director Don Grishaw. “We hear new styles, ne composers, and enjoy great music making.”  

Turlock High School Orchestra director Joe Tovar echoed Grishaw’s sentiments, stating that this event serves as a source of enrichment for his students.

“This event will give them an opportunity to perform for people and learn from other groups and their performances,” said Tovar.

The free event will take place in the Main Auditorium of the Performing and Media Arts Center on East Campus from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 6. Free parking will be available on South Campus Way in parking lots 104 and 105. For more information, call 575-6646.