Eastern Mennonite University

Shenandoah Valley Youth Orchestra Concert

The concert will feature a guest composer/conductor and three high school soloists, chosen by audition. Mr. Efrain Amaya was born in Venezuela where he began his musical training. Continuing his studies in the United States, he earned degrees in composition and piano from the University of Indiana, Bloomington, and a master’s degree in conducting from Rice University. His compositions have been performed throughout North and South America and on concert series throughout the Pittsburgh area, where he currently lives. He is a member of the School of Music faculty at Carnegie Mellon University while holding positions of Music Director and Conductor of the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras and the Assistant Conductor of the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Amaya’s appearance with the Shenandoah Valley Youth Orchestra and Junior Strings is funded in part by the Arts Council of the Valley.

Shenandoah Valley Youth Symphony is conducted by Maria Lorcas, EMU Preparatory Music violin teacher. The ensemble is comprised of 35 high school students from Harrisonburg, and Rockingham, Shenandoah and Augusta counties as well as several college students. Students are selected by audition. They will play two Slavonic Dances by Dvorak in addition to three concerto works and a piece by Mr. Amaya. Soloists with the Youth Orchestra are Martin King, French horn, Rebecca Peck, cello and Sarah Sachs, piano.

The Junior Strings ensemble is conducted by Sharon Miller, Administrative Director of the EMU Preparatory Music Program. The seventeen-member ensemble is chosen by teacher recommendation and will perform 3 works, including one by Mr. Amaya.

A reception will follow the concert, providing an opportunity for the audience to meet Mr. Amaya and the student performers. A $5 donation to benefit the Youth Orchestra is the suggested donation.


For more info contact: Sharon Miller
Phone: (540) 432-4220
Email: