OFO to present Young Artists Concert March 23 at Monett HS

Seven soloists, six performances highlight annual event by community orchestra focused on classical music

The Ozark Festival Orchestra, based in Monett, will continue its 45th season with its Young Artists concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center.
The OFO’s Young Artists program selects talented young people from southwest Missouri with the opportunity to perform as a soloist in a concerto movement or vocal excerpt with the full orchestra. Auditions this year drew 19 contestants from as far away as West Plains seeking the opportunity to perform. Judges selected seven performers presenting six selections.
The concert, under the baton of music director Carla Wootton, will open with “Four Scottish Dances” by English composer Malcolm Arnold. The orchestra will also play the “Hungarian March” by French composer Hector Berlioz.
The Young Artists are:
• John Suh, percussionist from Springfield, playing Leroy Anderson’s “The Typewriter;”
• Sally Erb, violinist from Springfield, playing a movement from a violin concerto by Vivaldi;
• William Dodson, classical guitarist from Fair Grove, playing from “Fantasia for a Gentleman” by Rodrigo;
• Ezekiel Kolb, oboist from Springfield, playing from Mozart’s oboe concerto;
• Felicity Womack, violinist from Rogersville, playing from Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3;
• Katherine Wendt, violinist from Carthage, also playing from Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3;
• The duo of Abigail Weeks, soprano from Clever, and Isaac Walker, baritone from Oldfield, singing a duet from Mozart’s opera “The Magic Flute.”
Admission to the concert will be $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens, and free to children high school age and younger.  Monett High School, 1 David Sippy Drive, is located off East Cleveland Avenue (Business Hwy. 60) at the east end of the city, next to Price Cutter Supermarket.
Michael and Phyllis Garrett of Monett are sponsors for this concert.
The OFO is a community orchestra composed of players from southwest Missouri and nearby towns, focusing primarily on classical music. The orchestra is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization supported by sponsors, memberships, local foundations, ads in the orchestra program book, and funds managed by the Monett Community Foundation.
Additional information is available at www.ozarkfestivalorchestra.org or Facebook/ Ozark Festival Orchestra.