Posted March 6, 2021

The 2021 All Catholic String Orchestra composed of 36 students representing archdiocesan and private Catholic high schools in the five-county region will perform Saturday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m. in a virtual concert from the Archbishop Wood High School Auditorium.

Joseph Lovecchio will be the guest conductor of the concert, hosted by Archbishop Wood President Gary Zimmaro.

View the livestream of the concert here.

The students will perform several selections including “Brandenburg Concerto, No. 3, Movement 1,” by J.S. Bach, arr. Isaac; “Crossbow Overture” by Lennie Niehaus; “Ancient Aires and Dances” (Balletto) by Respighi, arr. Brubaker; “Egyptian Legacy” by Soon Hee Newbold; “An Irish Party in Third Class” arr. Gaelic Storm; and “Over the Rainbow” arr. Phillips.

Participating students from archdiocesan secondary schools include Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor (Delaware County); Archbishop Ryan High School in Northeast Philadelphia; Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster (Bucks County); St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls in the Tacony section of Philadelphia; John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls’ High School in Center City, Philadelphia; Lansdale Catholic High School in Lansdale (Montgomery County); Pope John Paul II High School in Royersford (Montgomery County); and Roman Catholic High School for Boys in Center City, Philadelphia .

Participating students from private Catholic high schools include the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur in Villanova (Delaware County); Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem (Bucks County); St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in North Philadelphia; Merion Mercy Academy in Merion Station (Montgomery County); Nazareth Academy High School in Northeast Philadelphia; Villa Joseph Marie High School in Holland (Bucks County); and Villa Maria Academy High School in Malvern (Chester County).

Guest conductor Lovecchio has been the music director and conductor of the Warminster Symphony Orchestra since 1995. Prior to that he played principal trumpet and served as the associate conductor. Under his baton the orchestra performs the finest orchestral literature and annually features guest soloists of national and international renown.

Lovecchio has earned recognition for his work as a music educator including being named one of America’s top music educators by the education division of Conn Selmer Corporation. He has been nominated and chosen for Who’s Who of America’s Teachers and included in 20 editions of Marquis’ Who’s Who in America for contributions in the arts and education.

Currently he is a resident of Warminster and was recently honored by the Warminster Township Board of Supervisors for his many contributions to the cultural and educational life of the community.

Upcoming All Catholic concerts include the All-Catholic Chorus performing on Saturday, March 20 at Conwell-Egan Catholic High School in Fairless Hills (Bucks County) and the All-Catholic Concert Band on Sunday, April 11 at Cardinal O’Hara High School in Springfield (Delaware County). Both performances will be livestreamed.