Princeton Symphony Orchestra presents a new PSO BRAVO master class partnership with Westminster Conservatory. Douglas Lundeen, PSO’s principal horn player, presents “Master It” on Saturday, January 23, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Playhouse at Westminster Choir College. The event is free, but registration is required.
Attendees will observe four horn students from area schools as they are coached by Lundeen on polishing repertoire pieces for performance. The students include Elizabeth Ferrara of Thomas Grover Middle School and Katrina Luo of High School South.
“PSO masterclasses are opportunities for young musicians to receive guidance and insights from internationally renowned guest artists and orchestra members,” said Marc Uys, PSO’s executive director. “Joining forces with the Westminster Conservatory will allow us to present these events — fascinating afternoons for participants and audience alike — more frequently.”
Elizabeth Ferrara, 11, is a sixth grade student at Grover Middle School. She will perform Paul Koepke’s “La Chasse.” She has been playing French horn since she was nine and performs with her school’s sixth and seventh grade bands and the Grover Pops. Ferrara also plays the piano, sings, dances, and is involved in theater. She comes from a long line of musicians including her mother and teacher, Shannon Ferrara, a longtime music teacher in the WW-P schools.
Katrina Luo, 17, is a senior at High School South. She will perform Paul Dukas’ “Villanelle,” written in 1906 for the horn class of the Paris Conservatoire. A senior in her school’s Wind Ensemble, she has played in the Youth Orchestra of Central Jersey and the Bravura Youth Orchestra. This is her third year in the New Jersey Region II Orchestra. Originally a pianist and a flutist, she is now settled on French horn. She hopes to continue her musical activity in college while pursuing a career in engineering. She has studied with Shannon Ferrara for six years.
“They’re both very excited for their opportunity to participate in this masterclass,” says Ferrara. “I’m very proud of the both of them for their hard work they put into playing their horn. They are the kind of students a teacher wants to teach — ones who practice hard and strive to continue to play better and better.”
PSO Bravo Masterclass with Douglas Lundeen, Princeton Symphony Orchestra, Playhouse at Westminster Choir College. Saturday, January 23, 2 to 5 p.m. Register. Free. www.princetonsymphony.org.
