50 Years of Music; Past, Present & Future

Classical Guitarist Duo featured at Orchestra’s Golden Anniversary

May 18 2012  8 pm Lightner Museum

May 20 2012 3 pm PV United Methodist Church

James and Sylvia Kalal, acoustic guitarists from Ohio, have been touring extensively, playing for diverse audiences in the U.S.  James has concertized in England, France, Austria, Italy, and Spain. Together they have produced more than 30 CDs of guitar music. Their latest is titled “Guitar Greats in Concert”.  For their performance at the St. Augustine Community Orchestra concert’s 50^th Anniversary celebration they will play Antonio Vivaldi’s Guitar Concerto in D.

Commissioned music will honor St. Augustine Orchestra

A new work by guest Composer-Conductor Bob Moore will be a featured piece on the St. Augustine Community Orchestra’s concert programs on May 18^th and May 20th. It is titled “Aurelia” and was written especially for the orchestra in honor of its 50^th anniversary being celebrated this year. Conductor William McNeiland invited Mr. Moore to conduct his new work in these special anniversary concert performances.

Mr. Moore chose the title “Aurelia” for his composition since that is the Latin word for “golden”, and it seemed appropriate for a celebration of the orchestra’s 50^th anniversary. The music of “Aurelia” is both lively and optimistic. It is intended to reflect the orchestra’s pride in having reached this important milestone, and in having provided enjoyable musical programs for St. Augustine area audiences every year since 1961.

Mr. Moore has published 200 choral and instrumental works. Many are recorded on 6 CD’s now available; and they are also published in various church denominations’ hymnals. For 20 years he served as Director of Liturgical Music at San Jose Catholic Church in Jacksonville, FL. From 2005 to 2008 he was Director of Music Ministry at the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augustine where he co-founded the St. Augustine Music Festival with Jorge Peňa. Currently Mr. Moore is Music Director for St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church. An accomplished pianist, Mr. Moore also performs jazz and experimental music with percussionist Tony Steve. Together, they are noted for their live silent film performances, providing creative music to accompany selected silent films.

Additionally, the orchestra will play a newly orchestrated piece by Dorothy Gaynor Blake titled “Irish Dance”, orchestrated by John Dupuis of Sanford, FL. Mrs. Blake was a composer, music educator, and pianist whose career spanned 60 years. She was recently honored by being inducted into Missouri’s “Outstanding Women of Missouri”, a featured display at the Missouri State Capitol sponsored by the State of Missouri where she lived from 1893 to 1967.

St. Augustine Youth Orchestra Debut

The new St. Augustine Youth Orchestra will make its debut performance at this 50^th Anniversary concert. The Youth Orchestra is made up of elementary school youngsters from Murray and Webster Middle Schools and private pupils of Sherry Nelson, Dorothy Barrett, Victoria Scarlett, and Rocco diGeorgio.

Other works on the program are selections from Ludwig van Beethoven’s 5^th symphony; the Berceuse and Finale from Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird” Ballet Suite; and the Bacchanale from Camille Saint-Saens’ ballet “Samson and Delilah”.

The Friday May 18^th concert is at 8 pm at the Lightner Museum Antique Courtyard, 25 Granada St., St. Augustine.  The Sunday May 20^th encore concert is at 3 pm at the Ponte Vedra United Methodist Church, 76 South Roscoe Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach. Admission to either concert is $10 per adult at the door. There is no reserved seating. Children 12 years old and younger are admitted free.  In addition to ticket sales, the concerts are supported by the Lightner Museum, the Tourist Development Council, local advertisers, and individual donations.