Instrumental musicians from around the area are invited to join rehearsals for the 30th season of the Ozark Festival Orchestra, a classical music group whose season begins on September 8, 2009. Openings, other than in the strings section, may be limited to specific performances.

Rehearsals are on Tuesdays at Monett City Hall Auditorium, for approximately two hours, beginning at 7:15 p.m. Rehearsals are generally held for five weeks prior to a concert. Players are welcome to contact Ken Meisinger, returning for his eleventh season, at (417) 626-8194.

Event schedule

A record number of soloists and an original work will highlight the 30th season. The tentative schedule for Sunday performances generally beginning at 3 p.m. and held at the Monett City Hall Auditorium, Fifth and Bond streets includes:

• Oct. 11, 2009: Balkanska Kitka, a brand new work by former music director David Goza, has been commissioned by the orchestra. The piece incorporates eastern European rhythms and dance forms. Music by Bartok and Holst will fill out the program.

• Dec. 6, 13, 2009: The orchestras Christmas tradition will be back, presenting Nine Lessons and Carols developed by Kings College in Cambridge, England. The Christmas story will be told in readings from scripture and music. Selections will come from Handels oratorio Messiah and John Rutters settings of traditional carols. Performing with the orchestra in the Christmas concert will be the Crowder College Community Choir, under the direction of Robert Ensore, and the Aurora High School Choir. The concert will be performed twice. The first presentation is tentatively scheduled for the Calvary Baptist Church, Highway 60 and Oakridge Extension in Neosho. The second presentation will be at the First United Methodist Church in Monett.

• Feb. 21, 2010: Dr. Reena Berger Natenberg, from Pittsburg State University, will be the soloist during the presentation of Beethovens Piano Concerto #4. Eight Russian Folk Dances, op. 58 by Anatol Liadov are also on the program. The concert will be held at the Monett City Hall Auditorium, Fifth and Bond streets. Admission is $5 per person with high school students and younger admitted without charge.

• April 18, 2010: A soloist plus the 11th annual Young Artists Concert will be featured. Past winner of the contest, cellist Steuart Pincombe, will return from his college studies to play Haydns Concerto for Cello in C. Other selections will be determined by the contest participants, presenting single movements from concertos or vocal selections with orchestra during auditions in January 2010.

• May 16, 2010:The final concert of the season will be the fourth annual ice cream and pie benefit for the orchestra at the Monett South Park Casino. Continuing the Pops in the Park tradition, selections for the concert will include music from motion pictures, marches, dances and patriotic favorites. The musical event will be coupled with an art festival; doors will open at 1:30 p.m. and music will be performed during a silent art auction at 2:15 p.m.

Ticket prices for regular performances are $5 per person, free for children 12 and under. The Christmas performance is by donation. The Pops concert is $10 per person and is a special fund-raising event for the orchestra.

The Ozark Festival Orchestra is supported by memberships, donations, local foundations and ads in the seasons program book. Inquiries about supporting the orchestra or joining its board of directors may be made by contacting Marty Scabarozi, board president, by sending an e-mail here.

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