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Music Across The Generations
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About the
Southern Vermont Sinfonia
The Southern Vermont Sinfonia is a youth-focused ensemble that welcomes adult community members, serving Bennington and the Southern Vermont/Mass/NY Tri-State Region. It is our belief that combining the talent and passion across the generations makes a powerful musical experience.
The SVS is comprised of three performance groups:
Repertory String for string players who are still developing technical and note-reading skills in an encouraging environment.
Senior Sinfonia is a symphonic orchestra for intermediate-advanced string, wind, brass and percussion players.
String Chamber Players is an auditioned string ensemble who are highly-motivated and interested in performing occasionally for special events outside of the official concert schedule.
All ensembles meet on Wednesday evenings at the Monument Arts and Cultural Center @ 44 Gypsy Lane, Bennington 05201
About the Director
Since completing his undergraduate and graduate music studies, at Ithaca College and Yale University respectively, Patrick O’Connell has enjoyed an active musical life in the Tri-State Region. Patrick has an active performing schedule with the Berkshire Symphony Orchestra, Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra, Berkshire Opera Festival. He has also performed with the Albany Symphony, Vermont Symphony, Boston Chamber Orchestra, Capital Repertory Theatre, Proctor's Theater, and Williamstown Theatre Festival.
In addition, Patrick is an enthusiastic music educator who holds the conviction that music performance is an essential aspect of a well-rounded education and enriches the lives of all people, regardless of age or background.
In fact, his work with students of all ages, who desire to make music a priority in their life, has helped him come to this conclusion. Patrick has had the privilege of teaching elementary orchestra for 10 years in New York State, directing the wind ensemble at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, coaching sectionals with the Empire State Youth Orchestra, and teaching music at the collegiate level (College of Saint Rose, Union College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Ithaca College Summer Music Academy). He currently teaches middle and high school orchestra at Mount Greylock School in Williamstown, MA. He is the proud director of the Southern Vermont Sinfonia, a youth/community ensemble which welcomes members of all ages.
Patrick has delivered presentations at music education conferences. He has written and performed original compositions for various ensembles, including double bass solo works and has had the honor of having his work performed internationally by the renowned soloist, Nicholas Walker.
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Most importantly, Patrick resides in Vermont with his wife, Jessica, and their two children Ambrose and Dolores.
Please reach out to me with any questions about our ensemble or other music opportunities in our area!
617.281.7900