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Sounds of Christmas
Orchestra to perform selections that evoke the holiday spirit
By CLAUD HODGES
Newsroom Manager
With holiday spirit building, the Beaufort County Community Orchestra is preparing for its Christmas concert Dec. 12.
“Dec. 12 is right around the corner,” said Robin Potts, a member of the orchestra. “We’re having a great time getting ready for this year’s event.”
Potts said she hopes the audience at the concert will be alive with the holiday spirit.
The concert, to be presented in the multipurpose room of Building 10 at Beaufort County Community College, begins at 7 p.m.
“We’re honoring the musical legacy of Doris Hamilton this year at the Christmas concert,” Potts said.
Hamilton was the founder of the orchestra, and the Christmas concert was one of Hamilton’s favorite events, Potts said.
“We miss her so,” Potts said. “She was so devoted to us and to the community.”
While Hamilton’s death has produced a void in the organization, the spirit of the orchestra remains on key, Potts said.
“This year’s concert is devoted to Doris, and she will be right here with all of us in spirit,” Potts said.
The orchestra has someone new in a leadership position, Potts said.
“Lois Omonde is our new concertmistress,” she said. “We’re so excited to have her to lead our violins.”
Omonde said she became interested in orchestras when she was a youngster.
“My life has been shaped by musical sounds from the day I was born,” Omonde said. “My parents showered me with classical music at concerts, at church and at home.
“At age 9, I began violin lessons. ... I was drawn to the rich and varied sounds created by the string instruments.”
When she reached high-school age, she joined an orchestra, Omonde said.
“There is nothing more satisfying than creating beautiful sounds together with a group of musicians,” she said.
In college, Omonde continued her musical education by way of recitals, choirs, orchestras and string quartets.
Omonde earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and taught in elementary schools for several years before leaving the teaching profession to start a family.
She became interested in community orchestras while her family was living in Jacksonville.
“This was so enriching for me that when my family relocated to Washington, I sought out an orchestra in Beaufort County,” Omonde said.
During that time, Omonde met Hamilton, who was the leader of a small string ensemble.
“We played for weddings, the “Messiah” and Christmas concerts,” Omonde said.
She said the group evolved into the Beaufort County Community Orchestra.
“We prepare for two concerts a year, one at Christmas and one in the spring,” Omonde said. “Somehow, I managed to secure the honored position as concertmistress of the orchestra. This is a position I cherish, and it brings a new and exciting opportunity for me.”
Potts said Omonde is bringing a new dimension to the orchestra.
“She is so good,” Potts said.
Potts said Omonde, a violinist, is preparing the orchestra’s violinists to reach great musical heights during the Christmas concert.
“We hope everyone will come see the orchestra on Dec. 12,” Potts said. “We promise to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.”
By CLAUD HODGES
Newsroom Manager
With holiday spirit building, the Beaufort County Community Orchestra is preparing for its Christmas concert Dec. 12.
“Dec. 12 is right around the corner,” said Robin Potts, a member of the orchestra. “We’re having a great time getting ready for this year’s event.”
Potts said she hopes the audience at the concert will be alive with the holiday spirit.
The concert, to be presented in the multipurpose room of Building 10 at Beaufort County Community College, begins at 7 p.m.
“We’re honoring the musical legacy of Doris Hamilton this year at the Christmas concert,” Potts said.
Hamilton was the founder of the orchestra, and the Christmas concert was one of Hamilton’s favorite events, Potts said.
“We miss her so,” Potts said. “She was so devoted to us and to the community.”
While Hamilton’s death has produced a void in the organization, the spirit of the orchestra remains on key, Potts said.
“This year’s concert is devoted to Doris, and she will be right here with all of us in spirit,” Potts said.
The orchestra has someone new in a leadership position, Potts said.
“Lois Omonde is our new concertmistress,” she said. “We’re so excited to have her to lead our violins.”
Omonde said she became interested in orchestras when she was a youngster.
“My life has been shaped by musical sounds from the day I was born,” Omonde said. “My parents showered me with classical music at concerts, at church and at home.
“At age 9, I began violin lessons. ... I was drawn to the rich and varied sounds created by the string instruments.”
When she reached high-school age, she joined an orchestra, Omonde said.
“There is nothing more satisfying than creating beautiful sounds together with a group of musicians,” she said.
In college, Omonde continued her musical education by way of recitals, choirs, orchestras and string quartets.
Omonde earned a bachelor’s degree in music education and taught in elementary schools for several years before leaving the teaching profession to start a family.
She became interested in community orchestras while her family was living in Jacksonville.
“This was so enriching for me that when my family relocated to Washington, I sought out an orchestra in Beaufort County,” Omonde said.
During that time, Omonde met Hamilton, who was the leader of a small string ensemble.
“We played for weddings, the “Messiah” and Christmas concerts,” Omonde said.
She said the group evolved into the Beaufort County Community Orchestra.
“We prepare for two concerts a year, one at Christmas and one in the spring,” Omonde said. “Somehow, I managed to secure the honored position as concertmistress of the orchestra. This is a position I cherish, and it brings a new and exciting opportunity for me.”
Potts said Omonde is bringing a new dimension to the orchestra.
“She is so good,” Potts said.
Potts said Omonde, a violinist, is preparing the orchestra’s violinists to reach great musical heights during the Christmas concert.
“We hope everyone will come see the orchestra on Dec. 12,” Potts said. “We promise to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.”
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| Dec. 5-7 weekend |
