By Lori Price

Newton - String players from both the Sussex County Youth Orchestra and a group from Pine Forest High School in North Carolia will present a free concert at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14 at the Presbyterian Church.

The free concert is sponsored by Music Celebrations International.

Music Celebrations International has arranged a China tour for the SCYO in June and has also made NYC tour plans for the Pine Forest high school orchestra.

The North Carolina high school is in Fayetteville, home to Fort Bragg and many of its students come from military families. According to the musical director, Nathan Artley, this is the group’s seventh tour organized by MCI. “ I love touring and MCI does such a great job. I have about 45 kids in my group and am taking 32 to NYC.” Artley has been the group’s director for 19 years and admits that his job can be challenging as well as rewarding. “ It took me a few years to get used to the transient nature of the military lifestyle. I get students in the program while parents are based in Fort Bragg and then they are transferred and leave. Building a stable base of orchestra talent can be difficult when students so often move in and out throughout the school year. But the kids work hard, I love them and they love to play,” said Artley.

The group will be visiting the big apple, and attending a workshop at New York University. The joint concert, and social exchange also planned, is one of the activities the group will participate in, and according to Artley, is the highlight of their trip. “They are really looking forward to meeting members of the Sussex County Youth Orchestra and learning more about them,” said Artley.

Dawn Tedesco, director of the SCYO, and her husband Gerald Tedesco, conductor, are both looking forward to meeting Artley and his student to share musical ideas and learn about the different backgrounds of members of the two orchestra’s. Members of the Sussex County Youth Orchestra are students, from many different schools in and around Sussex County and its surrounding counties, as well as Pennsylvania. All members are required to take private lessons in addition to their commitment to the orchestra.

“The concert will include many fiddle and Celtic songs which are fun to play and have great audience appeal. We will also have a woodwind trio, flute duet and a brass ensemble,” said Dawn Tedesco.

The young musicians will have an opportunity to socialize at a reception by the Sussex County Youth Orchestra after the concert.

“I am so looking forward to this event. I had the privilege of performing in a joint concert when I was younger and it made a lasting impression on me. I want my students to enjoy the same great experience,” said Artley.