Senior Pops Inter-Generational Concert is Splendid
Several hundred music lovers turned out for a Sunday afternoon for a performance by the Long Island Senior Pops Orchestra in the Huntington High School auditorium. Now in its 13th year, the annual show never fails to disappoint concertgoers.
The Senior Pops is a community orchestra comprised of talented musicians. The group has a fiercely loyal fan base. One of the highlights of the show came when the Huntington High School orchestra joined the Senior Pops on stage for an inter-generational performance of several challenging pieces.
The large stage was filled to capacity by the enormous combined orchestras. Students were prepped in advance by high school orchestra teacher Lisa Leonardi. The teenagers and the senior citizens rehearsed once together during the week under the direction of Senior Pops conductor Stephen Michael Smith, who is in his second year guiding the highly regarded group. He has conducted and performed across Europe, including France, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Russia and Poland.
"It's a fantastic musical opportunity for the seniors and the high school students to collaborate," Ms. Leonardi said. The Huntington High School musicians get the music for the performance ahead of time and begin rehearsals far in advance of the show. Then the two orchestras get together for a single two-hour joint rehearsal before taking the stage before a crowd of about 800 fans.
With Mr. Smith and Ms. Leonardi sharing the podium during the section of the recent show that included the joint performance, the orchestras played a selection of light classics and popular tunes. The Senior Pops members seem to have a special way with the younger musicians.
"What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon," said one concert attendee as he strolled out of the auditorium, still humming.