Another wonderful holiday music concert was performed by the incomparable Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra December 2nd in the Newark High School auditorium delighting more than 400 concert-goers at the beginning of this holiday season.

The event was hosted by the Newark Central School District in conjunction with Wegmans, Lyons National Bank and the Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce. It was the 21st year the concert has been held at NHS.

“This night would NOT be possible with all of the people who help  - from the custodial and maintenance staff, community members and volunteers that help put this all together,” Cindy Briggs, NCSD Music Department Leader and Kelley School instrumental music teacher. “We are so lucky here in the Newark community to be able to host this concert with the support of the NCSD and so many area businesses.”

Dr. Paul Shewan, Professor of Instrumental Music and Ensembles at Roberts Wesleyan College, where he conducts the wind ensemble, the orchestra, and teaches trumpet and conducting and who is a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra trumpet section, capably conducted the concert as he has done a few times before in Newark. 

Soprano soloist Sandra Godwin, from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, who is a recent graduate from the Roberts Wesleyan University was the guest soloist at the concert who flawlessly sang five selections.

Before the concert at 6 p.m. music was provided by the NHS Jazz Band and Fusion Percussion Ensemble in the gymnasium. They are directed by NHS instrumental music teacher Robert Humphrey.

Each year a Green Room is provided for the RPO musicians by dedicated volunteers Michele McManus, Sharon SanAngelo and Marie Burnham with generously donated items from some restaurants and businesses in the community. This year, they included: BB’s Pizzeria, Domino’s, Erie Shore Landing,  The Flower Mill,  Main Street Restaurant, McDonald’s, Monterrey Mexican Restaurant, Nana’s Village Restaurant, Parker’s Grille & Tap House,  Sugar & Slice Pizzeria and Vintage Gardens Bed & Breakfast.