Musique with cameo solos on siren and motorcycle

In a corner of The Shops at Rossmoor, tucked into a small space between Complexions Day Spa and Coldwater Creek clothing store, Musique Sur La Mer’s Honors Chamber Orchestra presented a diverse plein air program of classical music in a key of romance fit for the week of Valentine’s Day, arranged for an orchestra made up of six first violins, six second violins, three violas, two cellos — and a single transverse flute.

Musique Sur La Mer is led by its music director and conductor, Marcy A. Sudock. This is the group’s tenth year.

Cameo solos were performed by a passing emergency vehicle on siren, and a motorcycle impressively unmuffled.

Special notice should be given to violin soloist Doug Conwell who played Meditation from Thaïs by Jules Massenet with impressive technique, largely without error until his bow got away from him in the last few bars.

Another soloist, Luke Collins, performed the prelude to Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major by Johann Sebastian Bach on the viola. His performance was all the more amazing for his short few months training on the instrument.

Danielle Beaudreau, the third soloist, played Concerto in A minor, also by Bach.

Marcy A. Sudock, music director and conductor of Musique Sur La Mer

Perhaps the most fun piece on the program was originally for mandolin, and had the entire string orchestra plucking pizzicato. The most modern piece was “A Time for Us” by Nino Rota from the movie Romeo and Juliet. Opera was heard in instrumental versions of arias from works by Puccini (Nessun dorma) and Verdi (La donna e mobile) plus the overture from Mozart’s The Abduction from the Seraglio that closed the concert.

Young musicians, aged 12 years through 25, interested in joining Musique Sur La Mer must audition in June, July or January. Candidates must already show advanced skill in an orchestral instrument: strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp or piano.

More can be heard from the Honors Chamber Orchestra at its next concert on March 31 at 6 p.m. at the Herrick Chapel at Occidental College in Pasadena.

The full symphony has two upcoming concerts, on April 22 in San Pedro and on May 6 in Seal Beach.

For more information visit www.mslmyso.org online or email info@mslmyso.org.

Featured photo

Luke Collins playing the prelude from Bach’s Cello Concerto No. 1 at the Feb. 17 concert. Photo by George Fenton of Fenton Photography.

Member roll of Musique Sur La Mer Honors Chamber Orchestra

• First Violins
  • Kimberly Beaudreau, co-concertmaster, senior at Los Alamitos High School
  • Doug Conwell, co-concertmaster, junior at Los Alamitos High School
  • Danielle Beaudreau, in eighth grade at McAuliffe Middle Schoool
  • Charles Alexander, senior at Los Alamitos High School
  • William Hong, sophomore at Los Alamitos High School
  • Etsuo Ejiri, mentor
• Second Violins
  • Kalyan Nath, principal 2nd – in sixth grade at Oak Middle School
  • Elizabether Beaudreau, in fourth grade at Weaver Elementary School
  • Henry Glenn, in eighth grade at Oak Middle School
  • Tayrn Lee, in eighth grade at Oak Middle School
  • Parker Lewis, senior at Halstrom High School
  • Hannah Skupen, mentor
• Violas
  • Jamie Strickland, principal, life member of Musique Sur La Mer and mentor
  • Luke Collins, senior at Los Alamitos High School
  • Joshua Santos, senior at Los Alamitos High School
• Cellos
  • Karen Garrity, mentor
  • Chris Bristol, junior at Los Alamitos High School
• Flute
  • Kealani Jensen, senior at Hope Christian Academy High School

Related articles

• Career and Technical Education Month spotlights Los Alamitos High School program (oc-breeze.com)
• LAHS cheer squad win national championship (oc-breeze.com)
• RHA publishes list of community support activities by The Shops at Rossmoor (oc-breeze.com)
• LAHS string quartet plays benefit for Precious Life Shelter (oc-breeze.com)