York musicians to give year-end concerts

York High School musicians will perform two concerts next week to pay tribute to the Class of 2017 ahead of graduation.

The York Cadet and Concert Orchestras take the stage of Baker Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, to perform a variety of music including selections from "Beauty and the Beast," "The Wizard of Oz," "The Patriot" and "Game of Thrones."

Featured soloists include violinists Karlene Stanton and Maya Wlodarczyk as well as Lily Martinez on piano and harpsichord. A student cello quartet also will perform. The orchestras are directed by Ray Ostwald.

The York Symphony Orchestra performs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, in Baker Auditorium with a program featuring junior concerto competition winner Tessa Vermeulen performing François Borne's Fantasie Brillante for Flute and Orchestra on Themes from Bizet's "Carmen."

The orchestra will perform Béla Bartók's Rumanian Folk Dances, highlights from Edward Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite, the finale from Antonin Dvorák's New World Symphony and "Jupiter" from Gustav Holst's The Planets. Featured student musicians include violinists Ella Lee, Elizabeth Mazzocco and Jenna Garcia; harpist Linnea Dierksheide; clarinetists Gabe Lewis, Jack Gornick and Gabriela Uribe; horn players Brian Strauch and Siena Olson; trumpet player Emmett O'Brien; oboist Kate DesBiens; and piccolo player Amy Choi.

The York Symphony Orchestra is directed by Ostwald but also will be led by student conductors Andrew French and Elizabeth Mazzocco.

Admission for both concerts is free, but all are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to a local food pantry. Receptions honoring the students will follow the concerts in the cafeteria.