Vivaldi, Haydn, the Beatles?

Published 1:58 am Thursday, April 11, 2013

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The Beaufort County Community Orchestra will hold its spring concert Sunday, May 5.
The free event will be held at First Christian Church, 401 East Second Street, at 3 p.m. May 5. Violinist Robin Potts said the acoustics in the church are fabulous and the setting inspiring.
“It’s a blessing that the church lets us perform there,” she said.
Suzuki violinists will perform “Eleanor Rigby” by the Beatles and a few Irish tunes.
The full orchestra will play pieces by Vivaldi, Haydn and Friedrich.
“We call him Freddy,” Potts said.
Potts said she had never heard of Friderich until the music selections were introduced.
“The wizard behind the musical selections is our virtuoso conductor Chris Ellis,” Potts said. “We’re blessed to have him because we always have challenging, gorgeous music.”
Working with Ellis and members of the orchestra has been a learning experience for Potts. She said the orchestra has improved and grown since its humble beginnings in the living room of its founder.
“And it’s constantly evolving,” she said. “We’re always searching for people who love music… someone with a violin or a cello in their closet. And we find them.”
On their constant quest for musicians, people often tell Potts they hope to start playing once they retire and have time. She encourages people to make time. Orchestra members range in age from 13 to 80.
“It’s wonderful when young people – or anyone – can make music a priority in their lives. There’s no need to wait,” she said.