Open to the public on Thursday, February 7, at 6:30 PM is an incomparable celebration of the arts featuring the Oakland Youth Orchestras and Herb Babcock scupltures in the Oxford Fine Arts Center.
Featured in the atrium gallery are one-of-a-kind pieces created by renowned local artist, Herb Babcock. From his studio in Oxford, Babcock combines metal, glass and rock in sculpture. His work is represented in national and international exhibits, galleries and collections. Some notable public installations include Michigan, Superior, Huron, Erie and Ontario, five sculptures named for the Great Lakes in the ‘living room? of the MGM Grand Casino and Hotel, Detroit, MI (2007); Woodward Marker Tower in Campus Martius, Detroit, MI (2004); and Young Bamboo In Wind, at the Hsinchu Culture Center, Hsinchu, Taiwan (1995).
During the entire month of February, a series of Herb Babcock exhibits will be on display in the Oxford Fine Arts Center atrium gallery, complementing the active performance schedule of the venue.
Also on Thursday, February 7 in the Oxford Fine Arts Center, is the Oakland Youth Orchestras? Winter Concert featuring four orchestras and OYO alumnus and soloist, Lauren Rodewald. Rodewald began playing the bass in sixth grade under the direction of Clarkston Schools? Wendy Stuart. Two years later she began private lessons with John Kennedy and joined OYO’s Strings Orchestra.
Rodewald was a member of OYO for five years, serving the last two as Principal Bass in Symphony Orchestra.
While still in high school, Rodewald was thrilled and honored to serve as substitute for both the Oakland Symphony and the Birmingham Bloomfield Symphony orchestras.
She has performed in a number of competitions and music conventions nationwide.
In her freshman year at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Rodewald is majoring in Double Bass Performance, studying with Diana Gannett.
She is Principal Bass of University Philharmonia Orchestra at Michigan. She was one of three bassists recently selected for the ASTA National Solo Competition. In April, Rodewald will compete in the finals round of the Junior Division held in New York City.
Celebrating its 38th season, Oakland Youth Orchestras will showcase its four orchestras, which include a roster of over 325 students from 3 counties, 37 communities, 25 school districts, 16 private schools, and homeschool communities from Southeast Michigan.
Tickets for the Winter Concert will be available at the door: Adults $10, children and students $5 and ticket quartets $30 (includes four tickets).