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TIO concert at St. Bede’s encourages young musicians

The Tidewater Intergenerational Orchestra is aptly named because its members include professional as well as budding musicians of all ages in its concerts at St. Bede Church in Williamsburg.

But the recent concert on Jan. 14 in the worship space was called “A Celebration of Youth.” Guest conductor was Dr. Janine Parnell, assistant professor of strings/music education at Elizabeth City State University, and conductor of the ECSU Albemarle Symphony Orchestra.

“What I like about it is that TIO includes young people of the parish and surrounding community,” said Aaron Renninger, music and liturgy director of St. Bede’s.

“It gives them an opportunity to be a part of an effort which is a valuable contribution to the community which already has a strong appreciation of music and art,” he explained.

Established by Tom and Alice Lindsay, St. Bede parishioners, in December 2004, TIO performs two or three classical music concerts a year. The musicians come from Williamsburg and beyond, with some musicians coming from as far as Chesapeake and Virginia Beach.

Among the adult members of the orchestra are members of the Northern Neck Orchestra, including Guy Hayden, conductor, and Symphonicity, the symphony orchestra of Virginia Beach.

“Depending on the availability of the players, it ranges from 28 to 55,” Dr. Alice Lindsay told The Catholic Virginian, adding that the Jan. 14 concert featured players who were ages 11 and 12.

Among the younger players at the recent concert was Tara Davy, a 6th grader at Hornsby Middle School in Williamsburg. She is the daughter of Rebecca Davy, music director of Bruton Parish Episcopal Church in Williamsburg.

“We’ve had students as young as six who have been soloists on concertos with the orchestra,” she said.

Stepan Dyakov, a 10th grade student at Warhil High School in Williamsburg, has played the violin since the 4th grade and is a music student of Tom Lindsay’s. The Jan. 14 concert was his first with TIO.

“My dad’s side of the family are physicians and I was encouraged to play the violin,” he said, but added that his grandmother plays the piano. “The violin has a beautiful sound.”

Another young musician with TIO is Alexander Zhou, a 13-year-old at Tabb Middle School who has been playing the violin since age 7. He is the first musician in his family.

“I just like certain songs which make you feel emotion and I enjoy playing music,” he said.

Alexander’s father, Zhigiang Zhou, originally from mainland China and now an aerospace engineer with NASA Langley Research Center, said that his wife introduced their son to the violin when he was 4 and brought him to a violin teacher.

“Music is very special,” Mr. Zhou said. “It’s very good for the kids because it helps develop their own personality and their intelligence.”

The Tidewater Intergenerational Orchestra hopes to perform at other Catholic parishes in the diocese.

“We have an invitation to perform at St. Matthew’s in Virginia Beach,” Dr. Lindsay said, adding that the concert will be on Saturday, May 5, at 2 p.m.

(For information about membership in the orchestra, contact Dr. Alice Lindsay, coordinator at tio@cox.net or call 757-761-5542.)

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