Orchestra to Play at the Kennedy Center

The Westmont Orchestra celebrates President’s Day by performing at the fourth annual 2017 Capital Orchestra Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. They join at least two other accomplished symphony orchestras selected for the Monday, Feb. 20, event at the historic venue. For tickets or more information, please visit capitalorchestrafestival.org.

“This opportunity brings Westmont to a national platform and gives us visibility on the East Coast,” says Michael Shasberger, Adams professor of music and worship and orchestra conductor. “Our musicians welcome a great cultural opportunity and look forward to visiting Washington — many for the first time. This invitation indicates the sophistication and achievement of our program and encourages the generous donors who support our efforts.”

The orchestra’s repertoire will include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, “Huapango” by Jose Pablo Moncayo and Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger: Prelude.” During the weekend, they will also present a complete concert at another venue and play during a church service.

The orchestra will also perform Sunday, Feb. 19, at Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., as part of the 11 a.m. worship service.

The ensemble travels each year and rotates domestic tours with international ones, performing in Italy, China, Hungary, Austria and throughout California. About 60 student musicians from a wide variety of majors play in the orchestra and receive coaching by faculty specialists, including Dr. Han Soo Kim (strings) and Dr. Paul Mori (wind, brass and percussion).