range from classical to film, Broadway musical
to ethnic folk music and even pops pieces.
A student favorite in recent years has been a
piece that incorporates the style of fiddling.
“Playing many different styles is a great
opportunity for the students to broaden their
technique,” says Opus II Board Member Ann
McCamy.
Auditions for seating purposes within
the orchestra are held each fall. The seating
auditions determine which players will play
which parts, with the most advanced players
occupying the first seats, just as they would in
a professional orchestra or band.
Opus II has no corporate or business
sponsors. Instead, at concerts, attendees
are invited to make a voluntary monetary
donation to the group. The patrons and staff
of the Barnes & Noble in Monroeville have
been very welcoming to the group and have
sponsored fundraisers that offer the group a
percentage of the day’s sales in exchange for
a day of musical performances. “We operate
on a shoestring budget with income from
donations, fundraisers and tuition,” says
McCamy. “We’re very fortunate that the
directors have all been willing to work with
these kids for a fraction of what they are
worth as teachers and musicians, and that the
churches are generous enough to share their
spaces for small donations.”
The group benefits its participants in many
ways—the primary benefit going toward their
musicianship. Additionally, there are two or
three rehearsals per year that host dedicated
24 724.942.0940 to advertise | Norwin
“social hours” where kids can establish and
cultivate friendships with peers who live
all over the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh.
“Some kids who gravitate toward music
can be naturally quiet,” says McCamy. “It’s
fascinating to see them communicate through
music and then open up to conversations
about other things as friendships form into
‘one big family.’”
Both Martz and McCamy stress that Opus
II is vital to the Pittsburgh area. “There are
excellent youth orchestras in Pittsburgh
and in Greensburg, but travel time and
expenses required may be prohibitive for
some kids,” says McCamy. Additionally, this
affordable outlet, though no replacement
for a school orchestra program, provides
musical opportunities to orchestra students
who may not have the chance to take music
as part of their school day, due to the fact that
many music programs have been struggling
to survive in Pittsburgh’s eastern suburban
school districts.
“Music provides people with a means of
expression,” says Martz. “There are pieces
of music that evoke all-encompassing anger,
indulgent humor, utter grief, bitter sadness
and the complete euphoria of love. Music is
truly at the root of what makes us human.
Opus II is providing support to students and
community members as well as helping to
keep music alive in Pittsburgh.”
For more information about Opus II
or to become involved, visit
opus2strings.wix.com/opus. n