Hannibal Area String Orchestra welcoming new members at Saturday event in Kiwanis Park

HANNIBAL, Mo. — If you are a string player and have had a least one year of playing or lessons, you are encouraged to check out the Hannibal Area String Orchestra.

Potential new members are welcome to join current members at the Kiwanis Park, 150 Broadway, at noon on Saturday, Aug. 26, to visit with orchestra members in a non-stressful environment. It will be an afternoon filled with fun and music. Several current members will play a selection of music to expose newcomers to the type, style and level of the orchestra.

Reservations are a must. They can be made by contacting Katie Schisler 573-501-7654 or kschisler@hannibal60.com.

Potential new members will be invited to the first rehearsal of the orchestra on Saturday, Sept. 9, at Hannibal-LaGrange University’s Roland Fine Arts Center, 2800 Palmyra Road.

The practices are on Saturday mornings using the following schedule:

• 9:15-10 a.m. – Beginning String Orchestra
• 10:10-10:55 a.m. – Intermediate String Orchestra
• 11:05-11:50 a.m. – Advanced String Orchestra.

The rehearsals will be in preparation for the Christmas concert at 3 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Roland Fine Arts Center.

The mission of the Hannibal Area String Orchestra is to bring string orchestra music to Hannibal and the surrounding area, to provide an organization for local musicians to perform string orchestra music and to provide a way to encourage young string players to continue the experience of performing string orchestra music.

The orchestra has more than 45 members ranging in age from grade school through senior citizens. The string orchestra consists of violins, viola, cello, string bass and piano. For some pieces, guitar and percussion are added. Members are from the Hannibal area as well as other counties in Illinois and Missouri.

The organization is made up of three groups: beginning, intermediate and advanced. The orchestras are under the direction of Schisler.

For any information about the joining the orchestra, contact Schisler 573-501-7654 or kschisler@hannibal60.com or John Ferguson, 573-406-9971 or jd.ferguson@charter.net.