Jenny Oaks Baker
On Sunday, Feb. 3, at 3 p.m., the McLean Orchestra and the McLean Youth Orchestra will do a first ever “side-by-side” concert at the Oakcrest School in McLean. This free concert, which will be an abbreviated version of the McLean Orchestra’s Feb. 2 concert titled Musical Fairy Tales, will unite musicians of the McLean Orchestra and McLean Youth Orchestra under the baton of Maestra Miriam Burns. Grammy-nominated violinist Jenny Oaks Baker (www.jennyoaksbaker.com) will perform a tribute to Walt Disney on both the Saturday night and Sunday afternoon concerts.
McLean Orchestra Executive Director John Huling said, “The educational opportunity for students to sit side by side with professional musicians in an actual performance will be an unforgettable experience. In this case, these talented and aspiring students will perform not only with a world class violin soloist but will work under the direction of our new Music Director Miriam Burns.”
As part of this special concert, the McLean Orchestra is working with Alternative House, a local nonprofit organization that serves homeless and at-risk youth, to bring the young people in their programs to this concert. Alternative House's vision is of a community in which all young people are safe, live in a nurturing environment and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Founded in 1972, Alternative House transforms the lives of children and youth helping them stay safe, make positive decisions, achieve educational success, and overcome personal crises. They offer children, youth and families hope for brighter futures by providing counseling, shelter and neighborhood-based support. Speaking about this concert, Executive Director Judith Dittman of Alternative House said, “Many of the young people in our programs have not heard orchestral music, so to hear it for the first time, performed by world class musicians, is a wonderful opportunity. Music is also a favorite way for many youth to express themselves and the exposure to another form of music is something I know they will treasure.”
This Sunday concert will be preceded by a musical “petting zoo” at 2 p.m. This is an opportunity for kids to try out all the different instruments of the orchestra under the guidance of the McLean Orchestra and McLean Youth Orchestra musicians. Families are encouraged to come by and let the future musicians in their households get some early hands-on experience. Reston Limousine will donate a vehicle for the afternoon to transport the children of Alternative House to and from the concert.