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
be prepared and in tune for rehearsal
and to be dressed in concert attire for
performances.
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
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
performances. “We operate on a shoestring
who may not have the chance to take music
budget with income from donations,
fundraisers and tuition,” says McCamy. “We’re as part of their school day, due to the fact that
very fortunate that the directors have all been many music programs have been struggling to
willing to work with these kids for a fraction of survive in Pittsburgh’s eastern suburban school
what they are worth as teachers and musicians, districts.
“Music provides people with a means of
and that the churches are generous enough to
expression,” says Martz. “There are pieces
share their spaces for small donations.”
The group benefits its participants in many of music that evoke all-encompassing anger,
ways—the primary benefit going toward their indulgent humor, utter grief, bitter sadness and
the complete euphoria of love. Music is truly
musicianship. Additionally, there are two or
at the root of what makes us human. Opus II is
three rehearsals per year that host dedicated
providing support to students and community
“social hours” where kids can establish and
members as well as helping to keep music alive
cultivate friendships with peers who live all
over the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. “Some in Pittsburgh.”
For more information about Opus II
kids who gravitate toward music can be
or
to become involved, visit
naturally quiet,” says McCamy. “It’s fascinating
to see them communicate through music and opus2strings.wix.com/opus. n
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