Loida Nicolas Lewis is new board chair of Children’s Orchestra Society

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Newly-elected Chair Loida Nicolas Lewis

Newly-elected Chair Loida Nicolas Lewis

The Children’s Orchestra Society (COS) has announced it has elected Loida Nicolas Lewis, a pianist and advocate for culture and the arts, as its new chairperson of the board.

The COS, founded in the 1960s by the late Dr. Hiao Tsiun Ma — father of renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Dr. Yeou-Cheng Ma – made the announcement as it kicked off its milestone 50th Concert Season Anniversary with the 50th Annual Winter Concert last Saturday, December 15, at the Seymour Weiner Theatre, Long Island High School for the Arts in Syosset, New York.

The Winter Concert featured the Society’s Kinder Orchestra, Sinfonia, JSE, YSE, ESE, Wind Ensemble, and Rhythm Ensemble who performed the last movement of Rimsky Korsakov’s Scheherazade, and the 2018-19 Junior Discovery Winners, violinists Andrew Arloro and Jeffrey Yang, who played Sarasate’s Navarra for two Violins with Orchestra — much to the delight of their family and friends in the audience.

Music is a universal language, one that brings healing and happiness to people of all ages and cultures. Learning this powerful language helps develop motor skills, memory and coordination in toddlers and young children, and teaches life skills such as perseverance, creativity, cooperation and teamwork to young adults. This child-centered and wholistic music education is at the heart of the Children’s Orchestra Society.

Executive Director Dr. Yeou-Cheng Ma and husband Michael Dadap who serves as artistic and musical director of COS .

Executive Director Dr. Yeou-Cheng Ma and husband Michael Dadap who serves as artistic and musical director of COS .

The COS is currently headed by Dr. Yeou-Cheng Ma who serves as executive director, while her husband, Michael Dadap — Filipino guitarist, composer, conductor and 2007 Pamana ng Lahi awardee — serves as artistic and musical director, and principal conductor.

The COS is a non-profit organization for musically talented children and teens. It is dedicated to “teaching children the language of music” by providing training in classical music, with a unique child-centered teaching approach that believes in a child’s innate capacity to learn and develop in a friendly, supportive and cooperative environment. The learning experience of a child at COS is not specifically to produce professional musicians, but to instill in each member the concept of invaluable experience and the benefits of music making.

COS also seeks to give performing opportunities to every student, to provide role models and mentors, and to be a bridge to the professional world, through master classes and performance collaborations with eminent musicians. COS enriches and involves the community through performances for civic and cultural groups.

Next on the COS calendar is the 50th Annual Spring Graduation Concert on May 18, 2019 at 4 p.m. to be held once again at the Seymour Weiner Theatre.

Capping the Society’s milestone concert season is the 50th Anniversary Discovery Gala at Carnegie Hall on June 20, 2019 at 7 p.m. The evening will feature COS Senior Discovery Winner Darren Yang (Bass), Guest Artist Ray Chen (Violin), and all orchestras conducted by Michael Dadap. The program includes Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, Koussevitzky’s Bass Concerto, and more.

To avail of early bird or group discounts for the Discovery Gala, please call 718-888-0635 or email Info@ChildrensOrch.org. — Children’s Orchestra Society

The 2018-19 Junior Discovery Competition winners, Andrew Arloro (left) and Jeffrey Yang.

The 2018-19 Junior Discovery Competition winners, Andrew Arloro (left) and Jeffrey Yang.



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