Some tickets still remain for South Shore Orchestra’s wine tasting of “California’s Hidden Gems” on Sunday afternoon August 29th, from 1-4 pm at Venue located at 74 Lincolnway in Valparaiso. 
Four distributors will share 26-28 different wines from some of California’s lesser-known wine regions such as the Sierra Foothills, Lodi, Paso Robles, Edna Valley and Santa Barbara County. There will also be a silent auction with art and other special treasures brought back from the SSO China Adventure, as well as some large-format bottles of wine donated by participating distributors. The ticket price is $35 per guest and available by calling Pete Brannen at (219) 916-1013 or Troy Webdell at (219)-759-4479. Reserve yours no later than August 26th. The array of hors d’oeurves paired with fine wine will provide an enjoyable afternoon that will enhance the fundraising efforts to provide future performances, scholarship and youth symphony needs.
South Shore Orchestra’s 2010 scholarship recipients are recent graduates Lindzy Volk of Crown Point High School and Christopher Blue of Valparaiso High School. They were each awarded a $1250 scholarship for their college education based on their musical performance before a jury held July 24th. Volk performed Mozart’s Concerto No. 5 on violin and Blue presented Valse de Concert on alto saxophone. This music scholarship, in its second year, was created to reward young aspiring musicians.
Another exciting season will also begin for the growing South Shore Youth Orchestra, which provides instrumental music training for students grouped into three levels of advancing skill—Petite for students playing stringed instruments for the first time, Intermezzo introduces students to bowing style, articulation, and dynamic playing. The advanced Venti group navigates refinement of skill and performance. Students range in age from 9-through high school. Jen Zeigner, Director of SSYO cites their mission as providing a high quality rehearsal and performance experience for dedicated young musicians, especially those who may not have musical opportunities within their school. The group rehearses throughout the year on Sunday afternoons at Trinity Lutheran Church in Valparaiso. To arrange an audition or for more information, contact Zeigner at (219)-476-0650 or dzeigner@comcast. 
SSO invites the entire regional community to travel with them to exciting new musical ground with special guest Loren Brown, cellist from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, on Friday, October 22, 7 PM at Ivy Tech College Auditorium. The program includes Uirapuru by Heitor Villa Lobos, selections from The Firebird by Igor Stravinsky and Antonin Dvorak’s sublime Cello Concerto. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens—they will be available at the door or for reserved tickets contact Pete Brannen or Music Director Troy Webdell (219) 759-4479.
Photo: Lindzy Volk, one of SSO’s scholarship recipients, will attend Ball State University to study Music Performance and Music Education. She hopes to eventually play in a professional orchestra and to teach orchestra.
She always had an interest in music and was playing keyboard when she was 6. When the opportunity arose to choose another instrument in 5th grade, she jumped at it and chose the violin--and has been going with it ever since. Her musical "journey" was inspired by her private lesson instructors and orchestra directors. She adds “I've also had support from my parents and my grandparents to pursue music”.