Senior Pops Concert Unites the Generations
A love of music united the generations at last Sunday’s Long Island Senior Pops Orchestra concert in the Huntington High School auditorium. Music aficionados from across Nassau and Suffolk counties turned out to see the seniors and Huntington symphony string orchestra students join together to create beautiful sounds that lifted hearts and minds.
The Huntington teenagers and their Senior Pops counterparts stood together, rehearsing, joking, forming friendships and performing for an adoring crowd of about 300. Huntington High School orchestra director Lisa Leonardi coordinates the arrangements for the event and guest-conducts two pieces in the program. Orchestra students learn a wide variety of music.
“We rehearse for about four weeks before the concert and then have one two-hour joint rehearsal,” Ms. Leonardi said. Senior Pops members displayed impressive playing skills and clearly amazed the high school musicians, who were taken with the wit, drive and vitality of their companions. Meanwhile, the seniors took delight in the poise, manners and advanced abilities of the high school orchestra members.
The Huntington musicians and their Senior Pops colleagues collaborated on 007, James Bond Themes, Satchmo, Tribute to Louis Armstrong arranged Ricketts, Symphonic Sketches by Chadwick and Pops Hoedown by Hayman.
“This is an excellent educational experience for our students, as they experience what it will be like to play in a community orchestra in the future,” Ms. Leonardi said. “It’s also a great opportunity for the students and seniors to interact musically and socially. The seniors are always thrilled to play with the young students. It probably brings back memories of their public school orchestral experiences. I think it also makes my students more aware of the long-term impact music will have on their life. This is a joyful experience that will remain in their memories!”
The pairing of Senior Pops musicians with high school teenagers always makes for an interesting afternoon for everyone involved, including audience members. The experience often leads to friendships forming between the adult and teenage musicians. District music officials have long believed there is much to be learned by bringing together generations that typically do not spend much time together.
“This is a beautiful opportunity for musicians of all ages to perform music side-by-side,” said Sarah L. Gill, Huntington’s district director of fine and performing arts. “I remember playing with my oboe teacher in Huntington Community Band and the great experience of playing in a multi-generational group. It reinforces my hope that music will continue to be a family pastime with family members playing music together for enjoyment.”
The Senior Pops Orchestra is directed by Stephen Michael Smith. He also led the joint orchestras through two pieces of breathtaking music.
The audience was amazed at the professionally sounding music the band produced. More than a few members of the crowd exited the auditorium humming their favorite tune.