(5/7) Back by popular demand, the Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra (GCO) will present special guest artists Charles Rex and Christopher Rex for their concert on Sunday, May 9, at 4:00 pm in the Seminary Chapel on the campus of the Lutheran Theological Seminary. Both of the Rex brothers have appeared before with the GCO, in 2008 to perform the Brahms Double Concerto, and Chris was a soloist in the early years of this professional ensemble to perform the Boccherini Cello Concerto.

One of the mission objections of the Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra is to have as many local musicians as possible to be members and/or soloists with the group. Over the years the orchestra has consistently had over 50% of its members from the Gettysburg community and the number of local artists performing as soloists has also been significant. Included in this soloist category are the following Gettysburgians: organist Stephen Folkemer, baritone Wayne Hill, soprano Melinda Warren, soprano Pamela.Cooper-White, bassist Duane Botterbusch, soprano Meredith Melges, flutist Karen Botterbusch, and pianist Michael Matsinko, On many occasions we have utilized the many talents of faculty in the newly founded Sunderman Conservatory at Gettysburg College. Pianist Jocelyn Swigger and soprano Kathleen Sasnett have been featured as soloists with the local group.

The GCO has also presented professional musicians who were born and raised in Gettysburg but who are now residing elsewhere. Included in this group are bassoonist, Phoebe Ray, who is with the Pasadena Symphony Orchestra in California, cellist Colin Stokes, who has recently been accepted into Juilliard School of Music, Mary Hammann, a violist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, tenor Peter Couchman who has sung with the New York Opera, and the aforementioned Rex brothers. Charles Rex is a member of the New York Philharmonic where he was previously Associate Concertmaster and brother Chris is the Principal Cello with the Atlanta Symphony. Their mother, Betty Soubricas, is a long time resident of Gettysburg and Chris is a graduate of Gettysburg Area High School.

The Gettysburg Chamber Orchestra is proud of its history in bringing great music to our historic town; it is equally proud to be able to present the above listed musicians who have made a mark in that vast world of international music. Norman and Carolyn Nunamaker are the founders of the orchestra and continue as leaders of this professional organization.

The concert on May 9 is sponsored by Music, Gettysburg! and is free. For further information please call 717-334-5508.