The Alternative Press

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ---The South Orange Symphony Orchestra will perform a free concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19 at the South Orange Middle School.

Under the direction of conductor Robert Helmacy, the orchestra will perform a range of pieces from classical to the romantic period to American folk music from the 1800s.

“I try to program a balanced season, so we get some music from each period of music,” Helmacy said.

Special performances will be given by the winners of the South Orange Symphony’s Artist Competition. Ethan Siegel, from the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore will play Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto.” Sang-Tae Park will perform Brahms’ “Piano Concerto No. 1.”

The program also includes works by Morton Gould, Saint- Saëns and American composer George Chadwick.

Helmacy described Chadwick’s music as interesting. “It uses some ideas from the American folk soloists, including some early folk jazz and Steve Foster, partially the song ‘Camp Town Races,’” he said.

Helmacy said between 300 and 400 people usually attend the concerts.

“I think it’s important that the concerts are free,” Helmacy said. “It provides an opportunity for anybody who wishes to hear good classical music.”

Patrice Kubik is participating in a hyperlocal journalism partnership between The Alternative Press and Seton Hall University's Department of Communication & The Arts designed to give students real-world experience.