Oboist to be featured at Lakes Region Symphony concert on March 15

The Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra concert on Saturday, March 15 will feature oboist Kenda Corcoran, who will perform the “Concerto in C Minor” by Benedetto Marcello. Also highlighted will be trumpeter Christopher Hoefs, a senior at Inter-Lakes High School.

Under the direction of Conductor Benjamin Greene, the concert will include a number of familiar favorites, such as a montage from Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story,” Franz Suppe’s “Light Cavalry Overture,” Johann Strauss’ “Tales from the Vienna Woods,” and Gabriel Faure’s “Pavanne.” The concert will close with a centennial tribute to America’s great Pops composer Leroy Anderson, with selections including “Fiddle Faddle,” “The Typewriter,” “Syncopated Clock”, and yes, “Sleigh Ride”.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Inter-Lakes Community Auditorium in Meredith.

Corcoran began playing the oboe when she was in the fifth grade in Springfield, MO, and played with the Springfield Symphony for 12 years. She holds the Bachelor of Music Education from Morehead State University in Kentucky, and the Master of Music in Oboe Performance from Pittsburg State University in Kansas. In addition to playing with the Lakes Region Woodwind Quintet and the New England Symphony, she has performed frequently with orchestras and wind ensembles in the Midwest, South, and Northeast. In New Hampshire, Kenda has performed with the Arts Jubilee Symphony Orchestra and the Granite State Wind Symphony.

With more than twenty years of teaching experience in both vocal and instrumental music behind her, Corcoran is currently an adjunct instructor at Plymouth State University for oboe and bassoon, as well as an elementary band teacher in Moultonboro.

Hoefs will be performing “Trumpeter’s Lullaby” by Leroy Anderson. Now in his final year at Inter-Lakes High School, his goal is to attain a degree in music education. A notable performer, Chris has been a member of many prestigious ensembles year after year, including New Hampshire All State Band and Orchestra, All New England Music Festival, and the Greater Manchester Youth Symphony.. This year, Chris received the highest score in the state for his All State audition.

In celebration of the centennial of Leroy Anderson’s birth, the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra will devote the second half of the concert to the music of this great American composer. You will surely recognize each of his memorable tunes. Although Anderson was, at first, thought only to be a composer of light music, he has increasingly been recognized as one of the most enduring composers of music in the 20th century. He has written some serious and weightier works that have endured with time. Celebrated at a gala tribute in 1972 by the Boston Pops, Anderson continued to compose and conduct until his death from cancer in 1975.

As if there wasn’t enough music already, this concert will also have a new twist at intermission. The orchestra is planning a jazz ensemble salute to Benny Goodman, featuring saxophonist Joe Rinaldi. This informal performance will delightfully bridge the gap between the first and second halves of the concert.

The Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra is a Meredith-based nonprofit community orchestra that performs throughout the fall, winter and spring months. Orchestra members range in age from 13 through retired seniors, representing over 36 communities in the Lakes Region. Local sponsors include Meredith Village Savings Bank and Lovering Volvo, whose generous support has been invaluable to LRSO’s continued success.

Tickets for these individual concerts are priced at $12 for adults and $6 for students 17 and under. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.LRSO.org, or call 279-3324. Tickets may also be purchased from local outlets, including Hunters’ Needlework, the Mobil Station across from the Town Docks, and Innisfree Bookshop in Meredith; Greenlaw’s Music in Laconia; and Rob’s Citco on Route 25 in Moultonboro. Tickets may also be purchased by mail using the order form on the web site, or from orchestra members. Any unsold tickets will be available at the door, starting one hour before the concert.