10th Anniversary Gala Concert Westchester Amateur Musicians Orchestra

The Westchester Amateur Musicians Orchestra, formerly known as The Really Terrible Orchestra of Westchester, will celebrate its 10-year history of making music throughout the county with a special concert on April 27 at its new rehearsal home, the Ethical Culture Society of Westchester. Among performances of pieces by Mozart, Beethoven, and Verdi, the night will be capped by the debut of Festival Canticle a new work composed especially in tribute to the orchestra’s anniversary by its conductor, William Eckfield. The concert begins at 6 pm. Suggested donation at the door is $5.00. Free parking.

Festival Canticle, which was begun this past November and completed in early January, is a nine-minute piece written in the mode of past concert overtures such as the Brahms Academic Festival Overture, the Shostakovich Festive Overture, or the Dvorak Carnival Overture, but in a more contemporary style. In composing the piece, the composer was inspired by the musicians of the orchestra. 

The evening’s events will also include silent auction items to raise money for the nonprofit group to help defray rehearsal expenses.

The county’s first no audition, all-amateur orchestra, founded in 2009, the Westchester Amateur Musicians Orchestra focuses on bringing the joy of ensemble playing to adults who may have long ago abandoned playing long-beloved instruments.  WAMO’s mission is to welcome all adults in the journey of rediscovering their musical passion and reawakening the drive to master their instrument in a fun collegial, low-key atmosphere.