Arts digest - take 2

SUNY Orange Orchestra seeking concerto/aria contest entries Middletown — The SUNY Orange Community Orchestra is conducting its 10th annual Concerto/Aria Competition and once again is offering talented young local musicians the opportunity to perform as soloists for the orchestra’s Feb. 25 concert at Middletown’s Paramount Theatre. SUNY Orange students, as well as Orange County high school students, are invited to enter the contest, designed to provide a featured musical performance opportunity for outstanding young instrumentalists and vocalists from within Orange County. A panel of music faculty from SUNY Orange, as well as professional musicians from the Hudson Valley, will judge auditions for the instrumentalists and vocalists in the college’s Orange Hall Theatre on the Middletown campus from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Jan. 14. The application deadline is Dec. 9. Those interested can get an application form from their high school band, orchestra or chorus teacher; by contacting the college’s Arts and Communication Department at 845-341-4787; or by e-mail from Dr. Hilarie Clark Moore, SUNY Orange Community Orchestra conductor , at hilarie.moore@sunyorange.edu. Instrumentalists may perform a single movement from a concerto or multiple movements. Vocalists may prepare an aria or multiple arias. The length of the performance piece should be about 10-20 minutes. Music composed prior to the 1850s will be accepted as long as it has a published and available orchestral accompaniment. Literature composed after the 1850s will also be considered, but needs prior approval by Moore. All applicants must be accompanied by a piano accompanist. Tuxedo Ridge Ski Center unveils new concert series on Nov. 19 Tuxedo — Tuxedo Ridge Ski Center (formerly Sterling Forest Ski Center) will begin its “Dinner and a Show for $20” concert series on Saturday, Nov. 19. Each concert includes a buffet dinner and a live performance by some of the region’s top acts. The menu includes stuffed shells, pepper steak, chicken francaise, salad, bread, dessert, coffee and tea. Admission also includes tax and gratuity. The event will be held inside the main lodge, which also features a full bar. Drink specials will be available all night. The Nov. 19 concert will feature an acoustic solo performance from Hudson Valley singer-songwriter Rob Cannillo. He is a veteran of the music scene and has shared the stage with members of Lynryd Skynryd, Bon Jovi and Steve Forbert. His music can be heard at www.robandfriends.com. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. Cannillo will perform at 8 p.m. Reservations by Nov. 16 are required and can be made by calling 845-351-1122. Limited walk-in spots are available at $30. Tuxedo Ridge Ski Center is at 581 Route 17A, Tuxedo. For more information, visit www.tuxedoridge.com.