Join “The President’s Own” United States Marine Chamber Orchestra at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 23 for an evening of delightful string music! The performance will take place at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in Alexandria, Virginia. The concert is free and open to the public.

Coordinated by Concertmaster Master Sgt. Karen Johnson, the concert will feature Felix Mendelssohn’s String Symphony No. 10 in B minor and Benjamin Britten’s Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge. The concert will also feature harpist Staff Sgt. Taylor Fleshman on William Grant Still’s beautiful and reflective work Ennanga for Harp, String Orchestra, and Piano. Read the program here.

To open the program, Mendelssohn’ stirring string symphony showcases his astonishing talent as a young composer, especially considering he composed the piece at just 14 years of age. Even though his works are strongly influenced by Handel and Bach, his symphony reveals his undeniable strengths as a composer with a unique voice.

William Grant Still’s Ennanga for Harp, String Orchestra, and Piano follows. Still composed the piece as an homage to his African heritage; the title of the work comes from the name of the traditional African harp – the ennanga.  “Unlike modern harps, the ennanga is much smaller, typically 2 to 3 feet in size with a soundbox and a curved neck, which is designed to rest on the performer’s lap,” Fleshman said.  “Although he did not attempt to replicate the sound of the traditional instrument, he chose the name to emphasize its cultural significance and influence.”

The listener will hear themes of blues, spirituals and folk music glittering throughout the piece. “I think the audience will appreciate the simplicity and elegance of the music,” Fleshman said. The long, flowing melodic lines draw the listener in, while the subtle chromatic nuances keep it interesting.”

“The biggest challenge for me was finding the right phrasing and shape for the music. With very little direction in the score, it was tough to decide how to approach each section, but that freedom also made it enjoyable, as it allowed for me to express my creativity,” Fleshman said.

The program closes with Britten’s Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge. Britten studied under Frank Bridge as a young boy and used Bridge’s themes as inspiration for his composition. However, this piece also reflects the influence of other great composers on Britten’s writing, such as Igor Stravinsky, Gioachino Rossini, Maurice Ravel and more.

Although the structure of his work is simple, the music is not. Britten’s variations explore a wide range of sounds and require exceptional musical technique. This piece is generally considered the work that put Britten on the map in the world of music and is enjoyable for all listeners.

Join us for this exciting program on Aug. 23. This is one you don’t want to miss!