The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
YSO, Gemini to perform
By Kathleen Conat, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: February 21, 2008
Looking for a family event sure to please this coming Sunday?
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Look no further than 2 p.m. this Sunday at the Towsley Auditorium at Washtenaw Community College, where the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra will be performing a concert called "Friends in Song II" with Gemini.
Gemini, the musical dynamic duo of twins San and Laz Slomovits, will join the orchestra in performing Prokofiev's classic "Peter and the Wolf" and other children's favorites from Gemini's original songs and folk music from around the world.
The YSO is in its ninth season. In the past two years, it has collaborated with many local musical groups, including Measure for Measure, a men's choral society, and the Sphinx Organization, as well as last year's performance with Gemini.
The community orchestra is made up of about 65 musicians who are all volunteers with different levels of expertise. Under the direction of founder Adam Riccinto, the musician rise to the highest caliber of performance.
The musicians come not only from Ypsilanti, but from Ann Arbor, Dexter, Saline, Chelsea, and as far away as Monroe, Brighton and Warren. Riccinto, himself, is a professional conductor and music educator, currently employed by Fortis Academy.
The orchestra has a partnership with the Lincoln Consolidated School District for rehearsal space, and with WCC for performances.
The orchestra does not limit itself to European classical music, but also more modern and popular instrumental works.
"Our aim is to reach people who aren't often exposed to instrumental music," Riccinto said. "We want to expand cultural awareness in the community."
To that end, each year there is a concert aimed at children and this is the one.
Gemini, whose musical performances have been delighting audiences of children and adults for 35 years, are long-standing Ann Arbor area treasures. Their unique mix of music, humor and audience participation never fails to make everyone want to sing along.
The brothers are experts on instruments from around the world, including everything from the pennywhistle to the bodhran, an Irish percussion instrument, and everything in between. Their obvious joy in music transfers to their audiences.
Tickets for this event may be purchased at the door, or at the orchestra's web site, ypsilantisymphony.org. Prices are: adults, $10; seniors 65 and over, $5; children 12 and under, $5 and a family rate of four or more, $25.
Kathleen Conat is a longtime Ypsilanti resident and freelance writer for The Courier. She can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.
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