Current Members of Opus II
Director : Megan Taylor Martz First Violin : Irene Pehanich ( Concertmistress ), Anthony Buchin , Gregory Perez , Sebastian Pratt , Matthew Alford , Gillian Mazurek , Lily Klepacz , Adam Andrekanic , Jillian Zachar , Darius Blasko ; Second Violin : Melody Whitaker , Haley Arbore , Emily Olszewski , Kiera O ’ Neil , Abby Klepacz , Bonnie Weiss *; Viola : Jacob Garwood , Catherine Balaban , Giovanni Palmieri , Nick Hines , Jessica Kendall *, Victoria Beck *; Cello : Colin McCamy , Katie Peterson , Nathan Wintersgill , Maura Gabauer , Jack Strobel , Abigail Casey , Madelynn Smith , Stephanie Kendall * * Adult mentors and co-learners
Opus II performs three scheduled concerts each year , and makes occasional appearances at various local fundraisers . The concerts are held at Beulah Presbyterian Church in Churchill , typically in the months of November , February and May . During the year , the music selections 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 “ 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
Penn Hills | Summer 2016 | icmags . com 13