New London Community Orchestra

COVID Precautions:  For this event, masks will be required inside the venue, as well as proof of full vaccination.  Unvaccinated patrons must provide documented proof negative PCR test within 72 hours of the start of the event, or a negative antigen test taken within 48 hours of the start of the event. Thank you for your cooperation.

New London Community Orchestra Presents

Suite of Dances — Florence Price
Five Movements in Color for Orchestra:
The African American Experience— Mary D. Watkins
Soul of Remembrance – Mary D. Watkins
Lyric for Strings — George Walker
In Memoriam “The Colored Soldiers who Died for Democracy” — Wm Grant Still
Martin Luther King March— Kirk Edwards
Lift Every Voice and Sing(with vocalist) — James and John Johnson, arr. Kirk Edwards

Civil rights anthems performed with vocalists (selections may change)

Take My Hand, Precious Lord (favorite song of MLK)
How I got Over* 
I’m on My Way* 
Oh Freedom* 

Sing along with audience (lyrics in program)

We Shall Overcome *
Amazing Grace 

* performed at 1963 March on Washington (I Have a Dream)

Our Mission

The New London Community Orchestra is an organization with a dual mission: We seek to provide a supportive environment for community musicians to play and perform orchestral music, and we also seek to create the next generation of musicians and music lovers by providing free string instrument lessons to local students.

In order to achieve this mission, our orchestra is made up of volunteer musicians who pay annual dues to help cover the operating expenses of the group. At the same time, proceeds from the concerts we perform each season go to support Music City Strings, our free music education program. We also provide free concerts for nursing homes and retirement communities.

Music City Strings employs experienced string teachers and provides free violin viola and cello lessons. Funding for the program comes from donations collected at NLCO concerts, contributions received from individuals and businesses, and grants from a variety of charitable organizations and foundations.

Our in-house luthiers provide pro bono restoration and repair of our donated instruments so parents can sign up their children at no cost whatsoever.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Music Director and Conductor

Dr. Hilarie Clark Moore has blended music academia and performance in her education and career.  She earned a Bachelor of Music degree in French horn performance from the University of Connecticut and a Ph.D. in music theory from Yale University. She has taught at both Yale University and the State University of New York, Orange County Community College. As a professional freelance musician on the French horn, she has performed in both local and international symphony orchestras and opera companies.

As an orchestral conductor, Hilarie Clark Moore has over 25 years of experience conducting community orchestras. This is her fourth season conducting the New London Community Orchestra. She also conducts the Cheshire Symphony Orchestra. Her resume includes serving as assistant conductor of the Hudson Opera Theatre, conducting the SUNY Orange Community Orchestra for 20 years, conducting Sweeney Todd with SummerStar Theatre, and guest conducting with the Cortlandt Chamber Orchestra and the Willimantic Orchestra. In her music studio, she directs weekend long chamber music programs called Chamber Music by the River (CMR), directs a French horn ensemble and teaches both piano and horn.

In her composing debut, she has created the story, music, and lyrics for The Fishergirl, a hybrid between opera and musical theatre. Watch for productions of The Fishergirl coming soon!  For more information, go to www.hilarieclarkmoore.com.