Dingwall Fleary, Conductor and Music Director of The McLean Symphony and the Reston Community Orchestra, will be the guest speaker at the McLean branch meeting of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Tuesday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m. at the McLean Community Center.
An accomplished pianist, he has performed in chamber music ensembles around the world and is well known throughout the greater Washington, D.C. area. He has received numerous honors for his musical leadership and awards from prestigious professional organizations. In 1976 Fleary was the first person to receive the McLean Community Center Arts Award presented by the McLean Citizens’ Association.
At the AAUW meeting, he will present an overview of the history of The McLean Symphony, its mission, its on-going support of youth and education, and its achievements as it enters its 44th year as the community’s only all-volunteer orchestra.
Fleary will be joined by fourth grade violinist Serenna Semomsen, citing her as an example of the exceptional talent he has discovered among the youth in the community. She has won a number of first-place prizes in music competitions and has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York as well as at Sidney Harman Hall in Washington, D.C. She was chosen to perform with The McLean Symphony this past March.
Serenna will perform and will be accompanied by Maestro Fleary at the piano. A few members of the Symphony will be present at the meeting and will be given the opportunity to comment on what the orchestra means to them.