Gretna Music’s First Listen is a series of pre-concert mini-concerts (about 20 minutes long) by our area’s most talented youths. The series offers students the chance to perform for a friendly audience and to interact with the professional musicians backstage. It is free for all to attend. The Playhouse opens 15 minutes before First Listen performances and you can sit wherever you like. If you plan to stay to attend the main concert, you will need to purchase a ticket.
Caleb Marcott, piano
Sunday, September 10, 2:30 PM Doors open at 2:15 pm
Caleb Marcott, pianist, is an incoming freshman at Millersville University. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry with a concentration on Music Production. Caleb has studied the piano for nine years, the last five of them with Laura Wissler, a graduate of Houghton University in piano performance. Caleb performed his high school senior piano recital this past May. In addition to being a classical pianist, he is a trombonist, a jazz guitarist, and a progressive rock drummer.
Prelude in c-sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
Sonata in d minor, K. 1 by Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)
Arabesque, L. 66, No. 1 by Claude Debussy(1862-1918)
Woe to you, Halya, Traditional Ukranian lament
Andy Hankes , flutist
Sunday, September 3, 2:30 PM Doors open at 2:15 pm Back by popular demand, flutist Andy Hankes is a Carlisle High School graduate and junior at the Eastman School of Music, where he studies flute with Bonita Boyd. He studied with Jocelyn Goranson, flute professor at Messiah University and held positions in the Harrisburg Symphony Youth Orchestra, Dickinson College Orchestra, Carlisle Town Band, and many high school ensembles. He participated in numerous summer programs, including the Interlochen Arts Camp and the Oberlin Flute Academy.
David Graff, marimba
Sunday, August 27, 6:45 PM Doors open at 6:30 pm David Graff, percussion, is a junior at Lebanon Valley College where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an instrumental concentration in percussion performance, under the tutelage of Dr. Matt Keown. At LVC, David performs with the Pride of the Valley Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Percussion Ensemble. David has performed throughout central Pennsylvania and is an active member of the Lancaster Marimba Ensemble.
So What Trio
Saturday, August 12 6:45 PM The So What Trio features Noah Gibney, a junior at Wyomissing High School on keyboards; Dexter Salles, a freshman at Wilson High School on drums; and Esteban Ruiz-Velasquez, a sophomore at Exeter High School on bass.
Amaryn Olmeda and Parker van Ostrand
Sunday, August 13, 6:45 PM Doors open at 6:30 pm A First Listen First! Our mainstage musicians are both teens. Join them on stage to answer questions on what it’s like to be rising stars in the classical world at such a very young age.
2 Cellos, Victoria Mitchell and James Yan
Sunday, June 18, 6:45 pm Doors open at 6:30 pm
Victoria Mitchell is a rising senior at Veritas Academy. She studies cello with Sara Male, after previously studying with Jennifer Petry. Victoria participates in the Allegretto youth orchestra and has played in the PMEA District 7 and Regional orchestras.
James Yan is a rising senior at Hempfield High School. He has been playing cello since the age of 8. James has performed recitals in many retirement communities and health campuses throughout Lancaster County. His current cello teacher is Sara Male. James also plays with the Franklin and Marshall Orchestra, and his favorite composer is Frédéric Chopin.
Duo No. 5 on a Theme from Handel’s Judas Maccabeus, from 6 Cello Duos, Op. 15 Friedrich August Kummer (1797-1879)
Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major (excerpt) Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major (excerpts) Johann Sebastian Bach
Duet No. 3, from 10 Cello Duos, Op. 65 Reinhold Glière (1875-1956)
All 4 Cello Quartet
Sunday, July 2, 2:30 PM Doors open at 2:15 pm All 4 Cello Quartet consists of members Owen Lee, junior at Great Valley High School, Pietro Romussi, senior at Harriton High School, Nathaniel Tom, junior at Central High School, and Deana Yuan, freshman at Villanova University. They are students of Jennifer Jie Jin.
Luca Savarino Quartet
Friday, July 7, 6:45 PM Doors open at 6:30 pm
The Luca Savarino Quartet is a jazz band based in Central Pennsylvania. The quartet has had playing experience with big bands and professional musicians in and around the area, and has connections with the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz. Musicians they have worked with include Tim Warfield, Jonathan Ragonese, Tom Strohman, Kirk Reese, Steve Rudolph, Joe Magnarelli, Sean Jones, Justin Faulkner, and more. Players in the quartet have also performed in the CPFJ All-Star High School Big Band, the Annual Jazz Walk in Harrisburg, and have participated in jam sessions in York, and the Summer Jazz Camp at Messiah University.
Luca Savarino is a tenor saxophonist who has played in both the PMEA All-State Jazz Band andthe Central PA High School All-Star Jazz Band for two consecutive years. He has also performedin the Summer Jazz Workshop of the NY Jazz Arts Collective, the Central PA Friends of Jazz Camp at Messiah University, and more. He founded the Luca Savarino Quartet, and has worked with musicians such as Tim Warfield, Jonathan Ragonese, Tom Strohman, and Curt Sipe.
Sam Hale is an 11th grader at Capital Area School for the Arts in Harrisburg, PA, and has been playing piano for over 10 years. Studying with influential jazz musicians such as Curt Sipe, Kirk Reese, and Paul Austerlitz, Sam has developed his own style of jazz playing that he has taken across central Pennsylvania with bands and as a solo artist. After graduating high school, he hopes to study jazz and contemporary music in college.
Joseph LaMarca is a student at Messiah University studying Music Education, with a concentration in classical double bass. He has always had a love for jazz, and has performed with Messiah’s top jazz band for all of his college career. Joseph also takes many opportunities to perform with local groups.
Based out of central Pennsylvania, drummer and producer Justin Bowden has embraced the culture of jazz. He has delighted audiences with his intricate and intense playing, performing along-side local legends such as Steve Rudolph, Jonathan Ragonese, the late Ronnie Waters, and more. His style reflects an appreciation for the roots of jazz, with many elements of surprise.
Daniel Huang, violin
Sunday, July 9, 6:45 PM Doors open at 6:30 pm Daniel Huang is a junior at Veritas Academy and a violin student of Simon Maurer. Daniel is also studying piano under Xun Pan. He has won awards in the Lancaster’s Women’s Symphony Association concerto competition, most recently taking second place on violin. He has been the concertmaster of the Allegretto youth orchestra under the direction of Dr. Brian Norcross and occasionally plays in the Allegro Orchestra of Lancaster. Daniel also plays in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra under the direction of Louis Scaglione, where he has performed in venues such as The Kimmel Center’s Verizon Hall.
Finale: Allegro energico, from Violin Concerto No. 1 in g minor, Op. 26 Max Bruch
Chaconne, from Partita No.2 in d minor, BWV 1004 Johann Sebastian Bach
Christian Wienckoski, piano
Sunday, July 23 6:45 PM Doors open at 6:30 pm
Christian Wienckoski is a classically trained pianist who has been playing and performing since the age of six. He has had eight teachers who have consistently pushed him to practice, along with his parents. At age 15, he started teaching his own piano students. He now studies with his uncle, Brian Farrell, who is a graduate of Juilliard. He gives all the honor and praise to the Lord and credits Him for all his talents.
Sonata in C Major K. 159 Domenico Scarlatti (1685-1757)
Nocturne in B Major, Op. 62, No. 1 Frédèric Chopin (1810-1849)
Mephisto Waltz No. 1, The Dance in the Village Inn Franz Liszt (1811-1886)
Andre Hurst, clarinet
Sunday, July 30 6:45 PM Doors open at 6:30 pm
Andre Hurst is a rising senior at Hempfield High School where he plays varsity tennis and participates in the school Symphonic Band. He has been playing clarinet for eight years, and has been accepted to All-State and All-East ensembles. He also enjoys playing in Nextgen’s Allegretto Youth Orchestra. After high school, he plans to pursue a career in STEM.
i. Allegro, and iii. Rondo, from Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Prelude, from Suite from the Victorian Kitchen Garden Paul Reade
Thank you to the Women’s Symphony Association of Lancaster for supporting our First Listen program and giving young people in our area inspiration to reach for their highest musical potential.
Thank you to our First Listen sponsor, Marian L. Shatto, for helping us bring these aspiring and inspiring young musicians to the playhouse stage. Marian dedicates her First Listen sponsorship to the memory of Georgene Radosinovich, music teacher and violinist.