The Wisconsin Intergenerational Orchestra has members ranging in age from 8 to 80 years old. After only forming earlier this year, their inaugural concert is set for Tuesday, May 24.
Two WIO ensembles - the Sinfonietta, a group for beginning string players, and the Symphony strings, an ensemble comprised of more advanced players - will take stage at Pius XI High School after months of practice.
Anna Marie Peterson, artistic director of the Wisconsin Intergenerational Orchestra, and Jian-Guo Sun, president of both the WIO and of the Wisconsin International Academy, join Lake Effect's Claire Moseley to chat about the concert.
"We're trying to form a fine musical organization but also create a community," Peterson says, "but what really sustains us is our relationships and what we can give and take to each other."
In making sure that this family is able to succeed, Sun has provided a safe and comfortable location for the WIO to use. "Anything I think we can do to better serve those musicians," Sun says, "we want to make sure the facility is good enough."
The performance is free and open to the public. "We want to build our audience and build our circle of friends and supporters," Peterson said. "That's why it is free because it's a thing that everyone should enjoy."
