Half Moon Orchestra aims to fill community orchestra void in Utica: Where to see them

Mark Sisti
·2 min read

There’s an old saying that goes “it’s not a real community unless you have a community orchestra.”

OK, you got me. There’s no such saying. But I believe there should be. And, apparently, so does Michael DiMeo.

DiMeo, a longtime fixture in the local music scene, has now started such an orchestra, the Half Moon Orchestra, conducted by DiMeo who has been recruiting musicians with a passion to donate their time and talent to make a truly unique string group.

The intention of Half Moon Orchestra is to try and bring instrumental music back to the Utica area after the Utica Symphony closed down.

In Utica, Half Moon Orchestra plays a mix of pop music and light classical string pieces.
In Utica, Half Moon Orchestra plays a mix of pop music and light classical string pieces.

“I received a call from Frank Giotto, president and CEO of Fiber Instrument Sales, regarding his interest in providing local string players more opportunities to perform in this area,” recalls DiMeo. “He asked me if I could help him with his vision.”

They met with the members of an existing string quartet and got the word out, and within three weeks had 10 quality musicians excited about their venture and eager to play a mix of pop music done instrumentally and light classical string pieces.

“In our regular string orchestra concerts our repertoire ranges from Vivaldi to Lady Gaga and everything in between,” explains Mike. “This was a big motivator in recruiting young, talented musicians.”

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Of course, that song list will change for their first holiday concert, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in the New Hartford High School auditorium located in the Bradley Elementary building. Tickets will be $5 and are available to the public for purchase on Half Moon Orchestra’s website, halfmoonorchestra.com, by clicking the “buy tickets” button.

While the orchestra currently consists of 13 members, DiMeo is looking to expand those numbers dramatically for the holiday show.

“The core group consists of 12 strings and a drummer, but we’ll be adding winds and percussion for our Christmas concert, performing with around 30 musicians,” notes Mike. “It will be something special, and something our area really needs.”

DiMeo is no stranger to conducting large ensembles. Although best known among CNY music fans for his stints with popular bands like the Sal Alberico Orchestra, Classified and local legends Fuel, he has also conducted the Utica Symphony Orchestra, the New Hartford Citizens Band, the Utica University Band, the Magnificent Yankees Drum Corp and, at New Hartford High School, where he has taught for 26 years, he has served as concert and jazz band director, as well as department chair, and was the director of the four-time NYS Champion Marching Spartans.

For this concert, the Halfmoon Orchestra has partnered with CABVI, The House of Good Shepherd, Kelberman Center, UCP and Adirondack Bank. A portion of ticket sales will go back to the charities.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Half Moon Orchestra aims to fill community orchestra void in Utica