What could be more delightful than spending an afternoon enjoying two of Beaufort’s most talented young violinists in a lively “Homegrown Holiday” Concert, complete with traditional pops tunes and even a few sing-alongs to put everyone in the Holiday spirit!

Our featured artists are members of both the BSO and the Beaufort Symphony Youth Orchestra, whose musical gifts were nurtured from very early ages by their parents and teachers.  “My parents played classical music for me even before I was born,” said Eden Engle, 15.  She began lessons at age five, and Elyse Stromer, 12, at age two, both girls studying under the well-known teacher, Ami Rabinowitz of Beaufort and a musician with BSO. “Once I started there was no going back – I absolutely loved it,” said Elyse.

Eden has been a member of BSO since 2019, and she is also concertmaster of BSYO and Principal Second Violin of the Armstrong Youth Orchestra in Savannah. She received a scholarship from BSO to attend the Philadelphia International Music Festival. She also attended music camp at Florida State University, and Chamber Music Week at Peabody Institute in Baltimore, MD. Eden is the daughter of Warren and Lori Engle of Beaufort. “My parents suspected pretty early that I’d enjoy playing an instrument – and they were right,” said Eden.

Elyse serves as violinist for the Sunday morning worship at her family’s church, Church of the Cross, and has participated in a number of regional music competitions and camps.  According to Elyse, her parents, Jared and Nichole Stromer of Beaufort,  are her biggest boosters. “They have traveled just about everywhere in South Carolina, taking me to regional and allstate  orchestra events, talent shows and music camps.”

Youth Orchestra founded 16 years ago

The Beaufort Youth orchestra was founded 16 years ago under Maestro Devyatkin’s guidance, with the mission of helping young musicians develop a passion for and love of music, to understand that hard work is critical to success, and how to contribute to their community by sharing their time and talent. We have had our youth orchestra long enough to reach “critical mass,” according to Devyatkin, and now have several BSO musicians who have come up through the system.  “We are succeeding with our mission to contribute to our community as well as enhancing the lives of our young and adult musicians,” he observed.  “Mr. Devyatkin is a phenomenal teacher with loads of great practical information and musical anecdotes that paint a vivid image of a musical career,” said Eden, who plans to pursue a career in music performance.  “Mr. Devyatkin has helped me grow in so many ways,” said Elyse. “I will always be grateful for all that he and Ms. Ami have done for me.”

Concerto in A for Two Violins by Antonio Vivaldi

Vivaldi’s “Concerto in A for Two Violins” will feature the two young violinists in the concert’s opening presentation.  Vivaldi was the orchestra director at a girl’s boarding school and composed many of his concerti for his student musicians to perform.  “As you will see with this Concerto, the technical and musical prowess of our two  violinists will be very impressive,” said  Devyatkin.

Following their performance the orchestra will play a variety of classical seasonal music and, after intermission, a medley of Holiday Pops will liven up the afternoon, including Polar Express, A Canadian Brass Christmas, Hava Nagila, Christmas Eve/Sarajevo, Winter Wonderland and Sleigh Ride.

So come out a join your friends and neighbors for a wonderful Homegrown Holiday concert and help us “Keep the Music Live” for our Beaufort community!

The performance will be held at Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort, at 4:00 pm Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021.

Individual tickets are $40 for adults and $15 for students.

For tickets go to the BSO website at: www.beaufortorchestra.org or call 800-595-4TIX (4849)