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Guild offers ‘Simply Strings’ event Nov. 19

EVENT PLANNERS — Representatives of the Ohio Valley Music Guild who are planning the organization’s final event of 2017 — its annual membership meeting Nov. 19 at St. Florian Hall and a “Simply Strings” presentation by the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra String Quintet — are, seated, from left, Toni Jean Dondzila, event chair Debbie Elias and Carlotta Jordan, and standing, Joe Buchmelter and Judi Gaynor, guild president. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the event open to the public and including cocktails and hors d’eouvres at 5:30 p.m.; dinner at 6 p.m.; and entertainment at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $40 per person. -- Janice Kiaski

WINTERSVILLE — “Simply Strings” will be the theme of the Ohio Valley Music Guild’s final offering of the 2017 season — the organization’s annual membership event and performance by the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra String Quintet.

It will be held Nov. 19 at St. Florian Hall in Wintersville with doors opening at 5 p.m.; cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 p.m.; dinner at 6 p.m.; and entertainment at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $40 per person with an RSVP due by Monday. It is open to the public.

The evening of “cocktails, dinner and harmonic compositions” involves the planning of guild members Debbie Elias, event chair and second vice president, and her committee that includes Judi Gaynor, president; Toni Jean Dondzila, assistant treasurer; and board members Carlotta Jordan and Joe Buchmelter.

“We have never hosted a group of this caliber and are very anxious to have them entertain us,” Elias said. The five musicians — two playing the violin, one the viola, one the cello and another the contrabass — will perform a mix of classical, light classical, pops, Broadway, opera and film music.

“They will talk about each piece they play to give the audience an idea of what they will hear and will give details about their instruments,” Elias said.

Some of the selections will include “Overture” from Pulcinella, Igor Stravinsky; “Children’s Prayer” from “Hansel and Gretel;” “Belle of the Ball” and “Jazz Pizzicato,” Leroy Anderson; “Someone to Watch Over Me,” George and Ira Gerswhin; “Edelweiss;” “Moon River;” and “Por una Cabeza” from “Scent of a Woman.”

The quintet is made up of:

¯ Maureen Conlon Gutierrez, violinist, a native of Mexico, who has performed to much acclaim across the globe as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player. She has appeared on television and radio in several countries and is a prize winner of many national and international competitions in the United States and Mexico.

¯ Ashley Freeburn, violinist, is a founding member of Bell’Art Ensemble and Kassia Ensemble in the greater Pittsburgh area and is a core orchestral member of Resonance Works and the Pittsburgh Festival Opera. She has performed with the Erie Philharmonic and the Canton, Youngstown, West Virginia, Wheeling and Westmoreland symphony orchestras. She is frequently heard performing live on Pittsburgh’s local classical musical station, WQED.

¯ Elisa Kohoanski is principal cello of the Wheeling Symphony and Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestras and a member of the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra and Erie Philharmonic. She has performed in such venues as London’s Royal Albert Hall and New York City’s Carnegie Hall and has performed with such artists as Olivia Newton John, Garrison Keillor and John Tesh.

¯ Jeffrey T. Mangone Sr. is principal bassist for the Pittsburgh Opera, a position he has held since 1987; Pittsburgh Ballet; Wheeling Symphony, where he also serves as personnel manager; Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera; Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh Broadway Series; Music on the Edge; Latshaw Pops; Pittsburgh Baroque Orchestra; and the PBS “My Music” series. He also is a substitute bassist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

¯ Jennifer Gerhard is principal viola with the Wheeling Symphony and also is principal violist of the Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Civic Light Opera and Latshaw Pops Orchestra and is a substitute violist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. She has performed with Radio City Music Hall Orchestra and on Broadway and can be seen on the PBS “My Music” television series.

Funds that the guild generates from its three yearly events and membership dues help provide a $1,000 scholarship awarded each year to a second-year music student, and it also presents a $1,000 check annually to the Grand Theater Restoration Project.

The guild welcomes new members with $20 being the annual fee, although other donor membership levels are available, from $50 on up. Questions can be directed to Lil Ferguson, membership chair, at (740) 264-2232. Checks can be made payable to the Ohio Valley Music Guild and mailed to the guild at P.O. Box 2158, Wintersville OH 43953.

Other guild officers are Marie-Helene Wilson, first vice president; Josephine Irvine-Groves, secretary; and Kathy Antinone, treasurer.

For ticket information, contact Elias, (740) 266-2203; Buchmelter, (304) 374-2943; Dondzila, (740) 266-6347; Gaynor, (304) 224-1319; or Jordan, (740) 283-1630.

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