Madison City Youth Orchestra, Winslow Davis set for July 3 at gazebo

Madison City Youth Orchestra, shown here, will perform at the Madison Gazebo Concert on July 3, along with fusion violinist Winslow Davis. (PHOTO / REBECCA WORTHAM)

MADISON – Madison City Youth Orchestra and Winslow Davis will perform at the Madison Gazebo Concert on July 3.

William and Rebecca Wortham organized, rehearse and conduct Madison City Youth Orchestra. The ensemble provides “youth of all ages, stages and instrumentation the opportunity to learn, rehearse and perform in a full-orchestra setting,” Rebecca Wortham said.

The youth orchestra is Madison’s only full-orchestra experience, she said. The group has full instrumentation with strings, woodwinds, brass and percussion.

“This concert will be unique because we combined all ages and stages into one orchestra,” Wortham said. “The little ones or beginners read an easier score we arranged from the original.

“It’s a win-win — more advanced students are still challenged and get to serve as mentors, and beginning students get to be a part of an older, more advanced orchestra,” she said.

Members receive exposure to a vast genre of music, from baroque and classical to pop and patriotic. They develop a lifelong love of learning and music through a nurturing, dedicated experience, Wortham said.

Also on the bill, fusion violinist Winslow Davis is classically trained and has performed with several regional orchestras and introduced audiences to his five-string electric violin. Davis plays original compositions and improvisational arrangements, ranging from smooth melodies to rhythm-heavy anthems.

The gazebo audience may recognize Davis from his performances at Panoply, Concerts in the Park and Flying Monkey Art Theater at Lowe Mill in Huntsville. He has played violin with Huntsville Youth Orchestra, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, Jackson Symphony Orchestra and the Shoals Symphony.

Davis also leads Sunday worship at CrossWinds United Methodist Church.

Piper and Leaf Artisan Tea Co. and Sady’s Bistro will sell food. Lily Pond Art Studio will present an arts-and-craft project for children to enjoy during the concert. The craft will use coffee filters to make butterflies and flowers.

Jerry Damson Automotive will sponsor the July 3 concert.

Madison Arts Council coordinates the gazebo concerts, held on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Front Street. For more information, visit artsmadison.org.