There’s a New Sound in Town

Since the demise of the Meriden Symphony Orchestra in the 1990s, there’s been a void in Meriden’s classical music scene. But that void is about to be filled with a brand new musical ensemble--the Meriden Pops Orchestra.

The group, which will play light classical pieces and Broadway tunes, will hold its first rehearsal Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Center Congregational Church. This sight-reading session is open to all experienced musicians. There is no cost to join.

“Dust off the instrument cases, blow the dust through the brass, get those woodwinds re-padded and restring those strings,” says Katrina Axelrod, founder and Executive Director of the Meriden Arts Trust, the organization sponsoring the Pops. She is hoping to attract about 50 musicians to the Pops, which will hold two more open readings on October 20 and 27.

Axelrod is also recruiting members for the Meriden Pops Orchestra Guild. The guild will help run the ensemble, organizing concerts and receptions, getting programs printed, handling publicity, and maintaining the website and Facebook page. The guild’s inaugural meeting will take place on October 27 from 7 to 8 p.m., followed by a Pops performance.

“We’ll listen to the Pops and get energized about what we’re supporting,” Axelrod says.

Guild membership dues are $35 per year or $60 for a family. Those dues, along with ticket sales and any private donations, serve as the sole funding for the MPO. The group receives no funding from the city.

“We’re all volunteers working with a small amount of money. We’re going to make it stretch,” Axelrod insists.

The Meriden Arts Trust founded the Central Connecticut Civic Youth Orchestra nine years ago. With the formation of the Pops, Axelrod points out, those kids will have somewhere to play when they age out of that orchestra.

“We’re going to have a lot of fun like we haven’t had in Meriden for a long time,” Axelrod says.

For more information about the Meriden Pops Orchestra and Guild, click on the pdf under the photo, email meridenartstrust@yahoo.com or call Katrina Axelrod at (203) 235-7445.