Joshua Tree Philharmonic Touts 7th Annual Season

ORCHESTRA WELCOMES ALL MUSICIANS

JOSHUA TREE, CA - As the summer comes to a close, the Hi-Desert Cultural Center is proud to announce the return of its highly acclaimed Intergenerational Community Orchestra for the 2010-2011 season. Formerly known as the Jr. Philharmonic, and now known simply as the “J-Phil”, this innovative orchestra continues to draw applicants from far and wide. Under the tutelage of Maestro Jarrod Radnich, the orchestra is able to accept members with a wide range of musical skills because Radnich, also a noted composer, reworks the orchestral music so that he creates an arrangement for each performer that is geared specifically to their skill set.

“We pride ourselves on finding a place for every musician to grow in their love of music,” notes Kathleen Radnich, Chairperson for the Desert Music Foundation. “We have performers of all ages in our orchestra. If you can read basic music, are relatively proficient on your instrument, and enjoy learning and working with a group, then you can join in the fun! By customizing the musical arrangements to each musician’s level of competency, we make beautiful music together. It’s amazing!”

People wishing to join the J-Phil should come to the Palmer Performance Hall’s BLAK BOX Theater, in Joshua Tree at the Hi-Desert Cultural Center this Monday, August 30th at 6:00 pm. New individuals wishing to join are asked to bring their instrument with a prepared piece of music that demonstrates the level of their playing “comfort.” Returning members need not bring their instruments, but are encouraged to bring their “wish list” of music pieces, and samples thereof, that they would enjoy performing during this season.

This season will offer several highlights for the instrumentalists. In September, a special one-hour seminar will be offered that teaches student musicians how to create their own music portfolios. “This is extremely beneficial for those musicians intending to enter scholarship competitions, apply for music college auditions, or to dabble in the commercial music industry,” said Chairperson Radnich. Aside from the camaraderie shared and the joy of making music, J-Phil members also benefit by receiving group discounts for tickets to concerts held at the Cultural Center. They additionally serve as a pool of musicians that get tapped for paid performances as soloists and as small ensembles for entities and events within the Morongo Basin. Advanced student musicians are afforded additional opportunities to expand their skills as paid instructors for beginning student musicians. “Making music just doesn’t get any better,” added Radnich!

A weekly fee of $5.00 per performer covers all performance and learning materials and uniforms, as well as tickets to the annual field trip to a Pacific Symphony Orchestra performance. For more information, call 760.366.3777 and ask for Kathleen Radnich, or send e-mail to info@hidesertculturalcenter.com. The “J-Phil” is a committee of the Desert Music Foundation, a subsidiary of the Hi-Desert Cultural Center (a federally-registered 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation also duly registered as a charity with the California Department of Justice’s Registry of Charitable Trusts).