OPUS has entered its 15th year of enriching the musical talent of promising young musicians while bringing the joy of chamber music to more audiences than ever.
OPUS thanks all of our generous donors and volunteers for this stellar year. The 2014 chamber music camp was outstanding. A record-high number of campers enjoyed the excitement of learning chamber music, orchestra, and handbell ensemble in an encouraging and supportive summer environment. Our community chamber music workshop enabled musicians of all ages to collaborate and was wonderful. Some of the most rewarding aspects of the year occurred when OPUS musicians performed at the Naperville Community Concert Center and for the patients of Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. OPUS will cap off 2014 with a series of jovial holiday concerts held at local nursing homes and senior residences, enlightening the holiday spirit with beautiful Christmas carols and Mozart. These community concerts are supported by high achievers like the following OPUS campers:
- Violinist Calvin Chu, a student of Waubonsie Valley High School, captured first place in the DuPage County NAACP Youth Works essay competition for junior and senior high school students. He described in the essay: “Purpose-driven leaders unite individuals with like-minded peers, and set them on the right path by helping them find their own unique strengths, allowing them to fully devote themselves to a unified cause.” In addition, Calvin organized a benefit concert to help the Red Cross and UNICEF.
- Violinist Katie Gallagher, a student of Almita and Roland Vamos, won 1st place at the DuPage Symphony Orchestra’s 57th Annual Young Artist Auditions and Northern Illinois University’s CSA Sinfonia Concerto Competition. Also, as a member of the Oiko String Quartet, Katie advanced to the Quarterfinals of the 2014 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Katie recently played in a masterclass with violinist Ani Kavafian and is scheduled to play in a masterclass with Noah Bendix-Balgley, first concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic. Next spring, Katie will solo with the CSA Sinfonia, Saints Peter and Paul Church’s Orchestra, and Northbrook Symphony.
These learning and performance opportunities would not be possible without the generous help of our dedicated volunteers and donors. Donations are essential to allow us to offer OPUS programs and expand those programs to more community members.
As the holiday season approaches, please consider making a donation to OPUS to keep our meaningful, one-of-a-kind program going. Your donation is tax deductible to the full extent of the law, and your kindness makes a tremendous impact on developing the talents of our gifted young musicians, many of whom go on to play professionally. You may either send a check to our mailing address (PO Box 495, Naperville, IL 60566-0495), or via credit card at https://napopus.org//support/donate.
Thank you in advance for your support. On behalf of OPUS, I wish you a holiday season filled with love, laughter, and, of course, music.
Musically yours,
Linda Lin Yu
President Emeritus, OPUS
www.napopus.org
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