Lebanon Valley College Presents Symphony Orchestra Concert on N0v. 16

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LVC's Symphony Orchestra will perform its annual fall concert Sunday, Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. in Lutz Hall

ANNVILLE, PA (10/28/2014)(readMedia)-- Lebanon Valley College's Symphony Orchestra will perform its annual fall concert Sunday, Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. in Lutz Hall of the Blair Music Center. The performance is free and open to the public.

The program will begin with Gioacchino Rossini's popular "Overture La Gazza Ladra," under the direction of guest conductor Dr. Brenda Leach, adjunct professor of music. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Horn Concerto No. 2 in E-flat Major, K. 417" will follow, featuring a solo performance by Rachel Yeater '15, a music and music education double major from Cornwall, Pa.

"I am so honored to have the opportunity to perform a solo with the orchestra this fall," Yeater said. "It has been an amazing experience not only to collaborate with the orchestra, but to have the chance to work through an entire concerto by one of my favorite composers."

The concert will conclude by taking the audience on a musical journey featuring "Karelia Suite, op.11" by Jean Sibelius and "Tableaux de Provence" by Paule Maurice. Both works will feature Kenneth Ayer '15, a music and music education double major from Dover, Del., on saxophone.

"Performing with the Lebanon Valley College Orchestra is an incredible opportunity," said Kenneth Ayer '15. "I cannot wait to share my love for music with all who attend the concert."

The LVC Symphony Orchestra is open by audition to all qualified students, faculty, and members of the community. The orchestra meets twice a week to study and perform music from the symphonic repertoire, and presents three public concerts each year. The director this year is Dr. Brenda Leach, a visiting conductor and organist during the 2014-2015 academic year.

As both a conductor and organ recitalist, Dr. Leach has performed throughout the United States, Europe, Israel, and Russia at many distinguished venues such as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and the Grand Philharmonic Hall in St. Petersburg, Russia. Among her credits as a conductor are acclaimed performances with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, the St. Petersburg State Symphony, the Moscow Boys Choir, and the Boston Chamber Orchestra. She studied conducting with Alexander Polishchuk at the St. Petersburg Conservatory of Music in Russia as well as with Neeme Jarvi and Sir David Willcocks.

Dr. Leach has appeared as an organ recitalist at venues including Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Westminster Cathedral in London, Moscow Cathedral in Russia, St. George's Cathedral in Jerusalem, and Riga Dom in Latvia as well as others. She has been a featured artist at numerous festivals such as the St. Petersburg International Organ Festival and the Sochi International Organ Festival in Russia. In the United States, Dr. Leach has performed recitals at venues in the Washington National Cathedral, St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City, Harvard University, Columbia University, West Point Military Academy, Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Interlochen, Chautauqua, and at National and Regional American Guild of Organists conventions. She also appeared as a soloist with orchestras like the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Leach holds the doctor of musical arts and master of music degrees from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied organ with David Craighead. She won numerous competitions and prizes in Paris including the "Premier Prix de Virtuosité" and the "Premier Prix d'Excellence avec Felicitations" from the Conservatoire de Rueil-Malmaison where she studied with Marie-Claire Alain. While living in Paris, she also studied organ with Daniel Roth at St. Sulpice.

As an educator, Dr. Leach has taught at several universities including Harvard University. Her recordings have been broadcast on National Public Radio, Pipedreams (a program of American Public Media), OrganLive, and for WERS and WCRB in Boston.

Lebanon Valley College offers numerous public performances by students, faculty, and guests of the College throughout the semester. For the list of recitals this fall, visit http://www.lvc.edu/music/student-recitals.aspx.