By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
The Etowah Youth Orchestra has been invited to perform at Governor Robert Bentley’s Inauguration party on Monday, January 19.
The orchestra, composed of about 250 students ranging from 4th graders to 12th graders, is set to perform a 45 minute set at noon in Montgomery at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex. The party will begin after the parade for the inauguration ends. The party is open to the public and free. Several other music and dancing groups from around the state will also perform, including She Bang, a Pike County clogging group, and The House Band, a bluegrass band that features legislators.
The music for the event will range from classical music to patriotic music. The set list also has some movie favorites, including several selections from Annie and the Disney hit “Let It Go” from Frozen.
“The program is designed to be very family friendly and student friendly,” said Michael R. Gagliardo, conductor of the Etowah Youth Orchestra. “There is classical music, but they are recognizable pieces.”
The music is sure to be fun for all, and the orchestra is pleased to be invited to perform.
“They [the students] understand what an honor this is, and what a tremendous opportunity this is,” said Gagliardo. “They are a group that just like to play.”
The Etowah County Youth Orchestra is no stranger to honors like these. The orchestra has received numerous awards, as well as invitations to play in prestigious locations since it began in 1990.
The orchestra has been the recipient of 12 American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers awards. The Etowah County Youth Orchestra has also given three performances in New York City with two at Carnegie Hall and one at Lincoln Center. The orchestra has performed in many other United States cities, as well as overseas in England and Costa Rica.