Island Sinfonia – the only symphony orchestra in the San Juans – will be performing an exciting mix of old and new music at Grace Church, at 2 p.m. on April 2. Admission is free.

The concert will feature the American composer Aaron Copland in his timely and thrilling brass “Overture For The Common Man.” In addition to a wide variety of other orchestral standards, we will also showcase a wonderful violin soloist performing Beethoven and an exciting cello soloist giving us luscious music of Dvorak.

This is the only opportunity in 2017 for the orchestra to perform on Lopez, so don’t miss it!

Noah Atchley lives on San Juan Island, and has been playing violin for 20 years. He studies with the renowned Martin Friedmann, Seattle Symphony First Violinist, who found of the internationally famous Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival and is the father of Aloysia Friedmann.

Noah’s incredibly sweet and warm sounding violin had been in his family for three generations, and was given to him by his great grandmother as a Christmas present when he was still in middle school. His beautiful and talented wife, Claire, will be singing a lead role in the musical “Chicago” at the San Juan Community Theater-be sure to check their website and call the box office to secure your tickets. Noah wishes to share the wonderful and difficult Beethoven Romanze with all of us because of its beautiful, singing quality.

Jennifer Utter started studying cello at age 10. She has been visiting her family’s vacation home at Eagle Lake on Orcas Island all her life, and moved to the island full time when she took the job of physician’s assistant at the Orcas Island Medical Clinic. Jen’s beautiful, chocolatey-sounding cello was custom made for her father, also a very fine cellist. She loves the Dvorak Cello Concerto because it is so romantic and beautiful; it brought tears to her eyes the very first time she heard it.

After the concert, there will be a sumptuous reception-free of charge-hosted by Lopez violinist Becky Johnson in the Grace Church Parish Hall next door. Please stay and join us. The orchestra members would love to meet you.

Island Sinfonia is actively recruiting new musicians, especially string players. People of any age are welcome. Prior orchestral experiences is not necessary. If you or someone you know might be interested, please call Ginni Keith at 468-4422. Island Sinfonia is an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your contributions of any size are fully tax-deductible. We’re looking forward to sharing beautiful music with you on April 2.