June 1: Youth Concert

The Lyon Park Community Center hosted the third in its budding music series—and it did not disappoint! The musicians were part of the elite program of Senior Chamber Ensembles of American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras, directed by Tsuna Sakamoto, violist of the National Symphony Orchestra. Their chamber music enchanted a full house, performing pieces including Mendelssohn String Quartet No. 6, Prokofiev String Quartet No.1, Gershwin Lullaby, Florence Price String Quartet, and a Mendelssohn String Octet. Learn more about this program on the Senior Chamber Ensemble Program — American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras website. Here’s a piece they performed for us: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo-ZJmUk3l0&feature=youtu.be.

July 23: Open Mic Night

Music at the Lyon Park Community Center continued in July with our first open mic night. The invitation brought 13 different talented performers to the stage singing and playing a variety of instruments such as keyboard, guitar, mandolin and sax. There was even a lap steel player! Genres included folk, jazz, blues, classical, old time rag, blue grass, and more! The evening capped off with the performers and audience joining together for a grand finale sing and play-a-long version of “This Land is Your Land” that would have made its composer—the great American folk singer Woodie Guthrie—proud. It was hard to say whether the performers or the audience had more fun, but everyone seemed to agree we should do it again! If you might be interested in performing at a future Open Mic Night, please send an email to LPCCGovernors@gmail.com.

August 9: Celebrating American Musical Diversity

The rhythms and sounds of America at 250 rang out from the Lyon Park Community Center on August 9, the latest in the Center’s series of free concerts. The Mandoleers, an Arlington-based mandolin and guitar orchestra, packed the house with a booming celebration of America’s diverse musical heritage. The concert followed the group’s annual weekend workshop, an opportunity for new players to join the orchestra.

The evening began with small ensembles representing numerous heritages and genres in our nation— then the full 30-member orchestra came together, opening with two Native American pieces that captured the room. From there, the group moved into unique and beautiful renditions of familiar favorites such Dvorak’s Goin’ Home, Leonard Bernstein’s America, Lift Every Voice and Sing, closing with voices and instrument United in This Land Is Your Land. It was a sight to be heard! For more information about the Mandoleers and their performance schedule go to Mandoleers.org

The LPCC has big plans for more free music in the coming months. On October 25, the Virginian Quartet will entrance us with the music of Beethoven and Schubert. Thanksgiving Eve, November 25, will be another Open Mic night, building on our first open mic success in July. In December we’ll have an evening of folk music, with two different local duos playing original and known works. Finally, to start the new year, on January 24, we will host The Big Howdy, a favorite local Bluegrass band that has played a number of local venues. For updates on LPCC concerts, see “Upcoming Events” at LyonPark.org and watch the sign board at the corner of N. Fillmore and Pershing Streets. If you have any comments or suggestions or want to perform, email LPCCGovernors@gmail.com. Hope to see you at a concert soon!