Youth Orchestra Spotlights Small Ensembles

The Youth Orchestra of Bucks County will present a concert featuring six chamber ensembles on Feb. 25.

The concert will take place at Bucks County Community College’s Newtown Campus, in the Music & Multimedia Building at 8 pm.YOBC’s Flute Choir, Percussion Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble, Chamber Flute Ensemble, Woodwind Quintet, and Honors String Quartet will perform.

YOBC’s chamber music program was initiated in 2008 to address the needs of the area’s young musicians. At that time, flutists who were looking for outstanding performance opportunities were often turned away because of limited openings in YOBC’s large ensembles.

Now these students can take part in one of two flute ensembles. Other chamber groups were developed over the next few years to respond to students’ desires for new challenges and different ways to play together. YOBC’s chamber groups offer these musicians a chance to play and perform with other talented students to develop technique and ensemble playing skills. 

“Chamber music represents the essence of music," Sara Bennett Wolfe, the coach of the Honors String Quartet, said. "You have to take ownership of your part, not as a soloist or the center of attention, but working together. You create a unified vision for a piece of music.”

YOBC expects the Chamber Recital to become an annual event. Tickets will be available at the door: $6/$4 students & seniors. An informal reception will follow the concert.

For more information, visit the YOBC Web site or send an e-mail to YOBC office manager Diana Nolan.