Penn Hills and surrounding area string players come together to make beautiful music as part of local youth orchestra Opus II .
FULL CIRCLE SUCCESS
By Nicole Tafe
Penn Hills and surrounding area string players come together to make beautiful music as part of local youth orchestra Opus II .
hen I was in fourth grade , I was introduced to the string instruments by my school
“ W teacher , Mr . Beswarick ,” says Megan Taylor Martz , current director of the local youth orchestra Opus II . “ As soon as I heard the warm and chocolaty sound of the cello ... I was hooked !”
Arguably one of Pittsburgh ’ s best-kept secrets , Opus II was founded more than 50 years ago by Dr . Eugene Reichenfeld . At that time the group was called the Reichenfeld Sinfonietta . Most of the members were Reichenfeld ’ s private students , and the mission of the group was to provide group performance opportunities to local young string musicians .
Since the group began , three other directors have stepped up to the podium to continue Reichenfeld ’ s legacy , including his former student David Beswarick , a retired West Allegheny music teacher who renamed the group Opus II ; Mairi Cooper , orchestra director at Fox Chapel School District ; and most recently , Megan Taylor Martz , orchestra director at Moon Area School District , former Opus II cellist and former student of Reichenfeld , Beswarick and Cooper .
“ I was part of Opus II for four years
and loved every minute !” says Martz . “ Dr . Reichenfeld wrote and / or arranged many of the pieces the group performed , including one of my favorites —‘ Czardas ,’ a gypsy tune that he learned as a boy from the gypsies who traveled along the railroad tracks in Braddock .”
Martz recalls Reichenfeld ’ s unwavering dedication to the betterment of his students . As a sixth grade student , Martz was rapidly advancing in her cello studies and continuously delving deeper into her love for music . “ Dr . Reichenfeld knew my parents did not have the money to purchase a cello , but understood that the school-owned instruments were holding me back ,” recalls Martz . “ In his spare time , between students and running the Sinfonietta , he built me my very own cello .” That cello rarely left Martz ’ s hands throughout middle and high school and even helped her achieve a place in the PA All-State Orchestra as a junior in high school . She has since purchased a new instrument , but will always keep her Reichenfeld cello as a reminder of where it all started .
“ It ’ s truly an honor to return to Opus II as director , and I feel as though I have returned home ,” says Martz . “ With my direct connection to Dr . Reichenfeld and past directors Beswarick and Cooper —
I only hope to make each of them proud .” Opus II aims to provide an enjoyable , high-quality musical ensemble experience for students and participating adults . The group also acts as a support for local school districts and their string programs by providing supplemental education and performance opportunities outside of the music classroom . “ Sadly , music programs are some of the first casualties when district budgets become tight ,” says Martz . “ Opus II is an outlet for students and adults alike to continue their music education .”
The orchestra welcomes any intermediate and advanced string musicians who can read music . Though primarily a youth orchestra comprised of high school and middle schoolaged students , there are four adults currently participating and more adult learners are certainly welcome . Yearly tuition is $ 95 per year , making Opus II the least expensive youth orchestra in the area . Rehearsals are held Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p . m . during the school year at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Old William Penn Highway in Monroeville . Members are expected to commit to rehearsals and performances , to be prepared and in tune for rehearsal and to be dressed in concert attire for performances .
12 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Penn Hills