This December, take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Enjoy
an evening with Fenton Community Orchestra and Fenton High School Jazz Orchestra. Friday, December 7 and Saturday, December 8 both evenings a 7:30 pm. The performances are being held in the Fenton High School Rubi Zima Auditorium. There is no admission charge. Donations are happily accepted and can be made online at www.fentonorchestra.org.
The concerts will feature a variety of classical and jazz favorites. With a flurry of Christmas and holiday songs mixed in. The music is performed by the Fenton Community Orchestra (FCO), Fenton High School (FHS) Jazz Orchestra, FCO’s Wind Ensemble and FCO’s Simply Strings. Selections include Mozart’s Symphony No. 4 in G Minor. Fantasia on Greensleeves. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 in C Minor. A Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson, and more…
Andy Perkins, Music Director for the Fenton Community Orchestra
“We’ve been working on some difficult and fantastic literature,” said FCO Music Director Andy Perkins. “Every year we mix up our selections to offer our audience something familiar and something new.”
Perkins is a 2002 graduate of the Michigan State University School of Music, where he received his bachelor of music education degree. In 2007 he received his Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan and a certificate in orchestration at the Berklee College of Music.
“We also have a wonderful relationship between the FHS Instrumental Music Program and the Fenton Community Orchestra. Each allowing the other program to expand and support one another. Band students benefit from the educational experience of performing alongside string musicians in an orchestral setting. The FCO is fortunate to be able to use the FHS Rubi Zima Auditorium for our seasonal concerts and the FHS band room for evening rehearsals.”
About the Fenton Community Orchestra
“We’re meeting a community need,” states Board Member Eric Szczepanski. Szczepanski recently rejoined the board and also serves on the City of Fenton Arts and Cultural Commission. “I’m in awe of how far this organization has grown since I last served on the board. From 2013-15 our orchestra grew to 70+ members. Our 2015 spring concert was standing room only. That is a great problem to have. We began strategic planning sessions and invited community input to address this need.” This led to adding a second night to our concerts.
“We knew we needed to expand the organization to support our growing membership and audience,” explained Board Chair Kirstin Tesner. “That led to the formation of our Wind Ensemble and Simply Strings in addition to the full orchestra.”
Wind Ensemble offers opportunities for wind, brass, and percussion players. While Simply Strings gives beginner and intermediate string players the chance to perform and develop their skills.” Wind Ensemble is under the direction of Tim Martuch. Simply Strings is under the direction of Jan Ball.
Funding
The Fenton Community Orchestra is supported in part by a grant from the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The FCO provides a place for musicians of all ages to connect through music by offering an educational and entertaining music program for its members and audiences. It is under the artistic direction of Mr. Andrew Perkins, Director of Instrumental Music for Fenton Area Public Schools. The FCO is governed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. Donations are tax-deductible as we are a 501c3 non-profit organization. To make a donation and learn more about the Fenton Community Orchestra, visit: www.fentonorchestra.org
