String ensemble fine-tuning performance

LYNN – When Raymi Ramirez heard the string orchestra she plays with is going to open for the Boston Symphony Orchestra, she thought it was a joke.”Well, because we’re Lynn,” she said.But it’s no joke.On March 16, members of the BSO will present a free Community Chamber Performance at Lynn Classical High School and opening for the world-famous orchestra will be the Lynn Public Schools string ensemble. Made up of about 15 violinists and violists and two cellists, the strings orchestra will play “Preludio” and “Allegro” by Arcangelo Corelli during the “Artistic Exchange” performance at 2:30 p.m. Lucia Lin, Tatiana Dimitriades, Kazuko Matsusaka and Jonathan Miller of the BSO take the stage at 3 p.m. to play Villa-Lobos String Quartet No. 5 and Debussy String Quartet.When asked how they feel about essentially playing before the professionals, the local musicians called it a big surprise and very exciting. They did not call it nerve-wracking.”I think we’re confident in our ability to play the music,” said Brianna Maynard.Strings teacher Brianna Pesce said since they only had barely a month to prepare for the event, they decided to choose a piece they are familiar with.”We only had three or four weeks to work on the music because of break, so we decided to pick a favorite piece,” Pesce said.When asked if they thought they might like to play in the BSO at some point, Gabriela Villanueva said maybe.”I feel like I’m not dedicated enough now,” she said. “We have other things to work on and other stuff to do.”Ramirez said she eventually would like Pesce’s job.Pesce said they don’t necessarily encourage the high school musicians to shoot for the BSO, “because that’s not for everyone.” But she does encourage her students to continue to play and to have the confidence and the skill to perhaps seek out a community orchestra once they are out of school.Fine Arts Director Joseph Picano said the district is lucky to have the strings program that it does, along with the instructors and the support of the administration.”It’s opened the doors so they can play on a stage with the BSO and have an experience they’ll never forget,” he said. “And I would not have asked to have our students do this if I didn’t think they were strong enough to do it.”The BSO Chamber Concert with the LPS string ensemble is free, but tickets must be reserved. To reserve tickets, call 617-266-1200 or 888-266-1200. For more information, log on to bso.org. There will be a reception with coffee and dessert following the show.