Newport Area Community Orchestra, an orchestra without borders

NEWPORT — The Newport Area Community Orchestra has come a long way since first getting started. The orchestra started five years ago with about as many members. Today, under Music Director Ken Michelli, the group now consists of 50 members, and has truly become an international orchestra.

Due to a recent collaboration with Stanstead College in Stanstead, Quebec, the orchestra has added nine student musicians.

The Stanstead students come from Japan, China, Taiwan, Germany, Canada, and Korea. The group has also added Anni Liu, Frank Robinson, and Josh Calmes, three new violinists from the local community.

“We hope to increase that number each year from the new incoming freshmen classes,” Michelli said.

The orchestra presents four annual concerts, two in the fall and two in the spring. Although they continue to grow, they are still looking for more string players.

If you are interested in joining the Newport Area Community Orchestra, contact them at 802-766-3021 or visit their webpage at: www.newportareacommunityorchestra.org.