BETHLEHEM — The Delmar Community Orchestra will premiere two pieces written specifically for it at its Spring Concert.

Vincent Bonafede, who directs the orchestra, has written “Orchestral Sketch,” and Christian K. Martin has composed “Phantasmagoria.”

The May 13 concert starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Bethlehem Town Hall at 445 Delaware Ave. in Delmar.

The concert is free and open to the public, and will also include classical selections, popular songs, show tunes, and movie music.

Martin’s vita

Christian M. K. MartinMartin, a native of Saratoga, began his musical studies with his performance work on double bass at Schenectady County Community College’s School of Music while in his senior year of high school in Ballston Spa. His interests in composing and conducting were sparked while studying music theory and conducting with composer and conductor Brett L. Wery.

As he continued his studies at The College of Saint Rose, Martin continued to explore his own voice as a composer while studying composition and orchestration with Dr. Bruce Craig Roter. He also nurtured his interest in conducting under the independent tutelage of Dr. David Bebe. He received his bachelor’s degree in music education, cum laude, from Saint Rose in December 2011. 

Martin maintains an active teaching schedule with private strings lessons and as a substitute conductor for various middle and high school bands and orchestras around New York’s Capital Region. He is currently the head of the bowed strings department at the Performance School of the Arts in Clifton Park.

He continues his own studies of the strings with Christopher Neubert, a teacher he says is a great mentor and source of his extensive knowledge of string pedagogy. An active performer, Martin freelances with regional musical groups and holds the principal double bass chair in the University at Albany’s Symphony Orchestra.

NEW SCOTLAND — The Albany Therapeutic Riding Center, which helps people with disabilities through horseback riding, is seeking more volunteers.

The program, founded and run by Chris Lehman off of Picard Road in New Scotland, at the base of the Helderberg escarpment, provides training for its volunteers. Lehman has run the program for 32 years.

Volunteers must commit long-term to one hour every week or every other week.

“We’re trying to add students,” said Lehman, noting volunteers must be at least 14 years old.

“It gives them a good feeling about helping others,” said Lehman of young volunteers. “One of our volunteers said she got comfortable talking to individuals with handicaps.”

For more information about volunteering, call Linda Masullo at 355-8650.

Fund-raiser

The riding center is currently selling tickets to The Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom in Lake George as part of the Coasters for a Cause program.

Tickets, which cost $25, cover unlimited rides, shows, and attractions on these dates: May 18 and 19, May 24 to 27, May 30 to June 2, June 6 to 9, and June 13 to 16.

For an additional $29.99 plus tax, tickets may be upgraded to a season’s pass.

Each ticket earns $5 for the not-for-profit riding center. The last day to order tickets is June 14.

To order, send checks, payable to the Albany Therapeutic riding Center, to 182 Martin Road Extension, Voorheesville, NY 12186.

Tickets will be mailed within the week.

For more information, call 765-2764.

By Penny Shaw

The Hilltowns Players have four remaining performances over the next two weeks of its spring comedy Springtime at First Baptist, written by Ron Osborne.

We will be at the following locations

—  Friday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m. at the Guilderland YMCA to benefit “Circle of Champs” for children with life-threatening illnesses ($10; call 872-9455); — Saturday, May 11, at the Westerlo Community Center ($10; call 210-1296); — Friday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. at Camp Pinnacle to raise money for the Janet Truax Camp Scholarship Fund ($10; call 872-9100); and

— Saturday, May 18, at St. Lucy’s / St. Bernadette’s in Altamont (reserved tickets $25, dinner at 6 and show at 7 p.m.; call 861-8770 by May 15 for reservations).

About the show

The year is 1970 and change is in the air!  In the wake of a disaster, key women from First Baptist Church of Ivy Gap, Tenn. challenge institutions as well as each other as these six diverse women gather to try to put things back together.  As they make plans for a fund-raising show (of which the all-male conservative board of deacons most likely will not approve!) there are good-natured jokes aplenty, laughs to be shared, battles to be fought, losses to be grieved, love to be won, relationships to be mended.

This is a warm story about six good women and how they come together despite times that are “a’changing”; it’s a serious play and a delightful comedy.

Editor’s note: Penny Shaw is the president of the Hilltowns Players.

By Mary Ellen Johnson

GUILERLAND CENTER — The Guilderland Historical Society’s Thursday, May 16, meeting will spotlight Albany County’s Hilltowns in a program given by authors John Elberfeld and Jane McLean, based on their Arcadia Press book Helderberg Hilltowns.

Using vintage photographs of Berne, Knox, Rensselaerville, and Westerlo, their PowerPoint presentation will illustrate that area’s history and heritage. Jane McLean will personalize the story with the tales of four Hilltown women of different eras meeting the challenges of their lives.

Very rural with rugged terrain, the Hilltowns cover 40 percent of the western section of Albany County, yet contain only 4 percent of its inhabitants.

John Elberfeld and Jane McLean, having researched Hilltown families and history for many years, are well equipped to tell you why the area is so sparsely populated and the special circumstances these people have faced during their history.

Everyone is invited to attend the Guilderland Historical Society’s May 16 meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Mynderse-Frederick House at 451 Route 146 in Guilderland Center. Parking is available next door at the church.

Refreshments and a social hour will follow the program, giving you the opportunity to chat with our speakers who will have copies of Helderberg Hilltowns for sale.

Editor’s note: Mary Ellen Johnson is a long-time member of the Guilderland Historical Society.

GUILDERLAND — A May 14 concert, entitled “Guilderland Sings,” will culminate a three-day residency with guest conductor and clinician Diane Warner. The concert is free and open to the public.

Warner will hold clinics and workshops with students and teachers in the choral ensembles at Farnsworth Middle School and Guilderland High School in the days before the concert.

More than 800 vocalists, students in fourth through 12th grades, will sing at 7 p.m. in the high school gym with their grade-level ensembles before combining together for a massed finale, conducted by Guilderland vocal staff and Warner.

The Capital District Youth Chorale, a community choir comprised of singers from throughout the region, will also perform. Warner founded the group 30 years ago. Her choirs earned 63 Superior ratings over 22 years at state, national, and international festivals.

Warner directed five choirs and was arts resource teacher for Schenectady High School before moving to the Shenendehowa District. She retired as director of music for the Shenendehowa Central School District in 2007.  

“We are very excited to bring renowned conductor and clinician Diane Warner to Guilderland, to work with our students and teachers, and look forward to this inspiring musical experience,” said District Music Supervisor Lori Hershenhart in a release from the district.