On Tuesday, April 28 at 6:30 pm, nearly 50 string musicians will take the stage at Valley Regional High School in Deep River for the Community Music School’s Sinfonia and String Ensemble Concert. Ranging in age from nine to eighty-four, members of the two multi-generational performance groups will play a variety of classical pieces, including works by Vivaldi, Bach, and Dvorak, all under the direction of Martha Herrle. The free concert is open to the public and sponsored by the Essex Winter Series.

Both Sinfonia, a group of 10 beginning violin, viola, and cello musicians, and String Ensemble, a group of 35 intermediate to advanced players, are a rare breed of orchestra and quite possibly the only of its kind in Connecticut. “There are many youth orchestras and many adult orchestras around the state but I am not aware of any ensembles where all ages are allowed and encouraged to participate,” stated Mrs. Herrle, conductor and founder of both orchestra groups. “As a musician and a teacher, it is a joy to work with various ages and backgrounds, to have school-age musicians playing alongside adult members. The String Ensemble is a very mixed bag of some very talented people - students, several teachers, an inventor, a physician, a veterinarian, an attorney, a pastor, even two professional opera singers – all who share the same passion for music.”

String Ensemble members come from several shoreline towns (and beyond) to rehearse together at Old Saybrook High School for 26 weeks beginning in September and ending just prior to the annual concert performance. Compared to its modest start in 2002, with just four children and one senior adult, the orchestra’s growth is a testament to its all inclusive policy of being open to all intermediate to advanced string musicians, regardless of age and with no audition requirement. It also serves as a great opportunity for family members to share in their musical interests and spend time together. In fact, the current ensemble boasts three sets of mother and child musicians. East Haddam resident Irene Haines and her 16-year old daughter Bridget is one. “Martha has a special gift. She is able to teach, nurture and direct young, old and everyone in between with varied abilities into an amazing performance,” commented Mrs.Haines. “I am the luckiest mom in the world as I get to share a stand with my daughter in the viola section - what a great way to spend quality time together!”

For more information on the Sinfonia and String Ensemble Concert taking place at Valley Regional High School, located at 256 Kelsey Hill Road in Deep River, or other Community Music School events, go to www.community-music-school.org or call 860.767.0026. The Community Music School, located at 90 Main Street in Centerbrook, is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to building community through music since 1983.