A diverse group of musicians played “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night” and other Christmas classics in Multi-Purpose Room 3 of the Newtown Community Center Monday night, as the Monroe Summer Orchestra practiced for this Saturday’s Holiday Concert at Masuk High School.
The show will feature Christmas and Hanukkah songs, including “A Hanukkah Festival,” “The Nutcracker” and the “Ukrainian Bell Carol.”
Brothers, Avinash “Avi” and Anand Veeraraghav, who are both Masuk alums, started the orchestra together last summer. The ensemble is led by conductor, Anthony Granata, of Monroe.
“It’s wonderful,” Granata said of the upcoming show. “We started our orchestra in the summer and we had such an incredible turnout for our concert. On a phone call we said, ‘why don’t we do a holiday concert?’ I love it, seeing the lights and hearing the music, it makes me feel like a kid again. Something about it is really uplifting.”
The show at Masuk will be this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but there is a suggested donation of $15 per person, and $10 for students, seniors, veterans and active service members.
Avi recalled the enthusiasm among musicians throughout Connecticut, and in some other New England states, when the Monroe Summer Orchestra was formed, giving many an opportunity to play their instruments again. The organization is now a nonprofit.
“After the success of the summer concert and the interest of members, as well as the community, people started asking when our next show would be,” he said.
Anand said the Monroe Summer Orchestra also formed a six-member executive committee, adding everyone was onboard when the idea of organizing a winter show was first raised.
“We sent an email to people from the summer, asking who wanted to do it,” Avi recalled. “More than half wanted to do it and we got some new members.”
Among them was Gabriel Castro, of New Jersey, who runs the Chamber Orchestra Club at UConn, the same group that had inspired the Veeraraghav brothers to start the Monroe Summer Orchestra. Both were student leaders of the club, while attending the university.
Masuk Band Director Michael Ances, who is Monroe’s reigning Teacher of the Year, will perform with the orchestra at Saturday’s concert, which will feature around 50 musicians ranging from seventh graders to someone in her late 60s. Kurt Anderson, general manager of WMNR Fine Arts Radio, whose father, Leroy, wrote “Sleigh Ride,” will speak at the show.
Monday night was the fourth rehearsal before the big concert.
“It’s impressive how quickly people are learning their parts and we’re sounding good,” said Anand, who plays the viola, while his brother plays the violin.
For information about the Monroe Summer Orchestra, visit its website by clicking here or follow it on Facebook and YouTube.
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This is truly inspiring to read. What started as a summer idea has grown into something so meaningful for the community and it shows in the passion and dedication behind the orchestra. Bringing people together through music especially during the holiday season—is no small feat. Immensely proud of my cousins Avinash & Anand and everyone involved for creating something so special and for giving young musicians a beautiful platform to shine. Wishing you all a wonderful concert and many more to come.