Bethlehem high school student to play with Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra

Concert features 17-year-old pianist

SCHENECTADY — The Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra’s season features Bethlehem Central High School senior William Lauricella during their performance Sunday, January 21 on the MainStage at Proctors.

“I am extremely excited to be playing with the Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra,” Lauricella said.

The 17-year-old pianist won first place in the 2022 Capital District Council for Young Musicians’ Annual Chopin Piano Competition and SSSO’s 2018 Parillo Piano Competition. The upcoming concert, Legends from Around the World, includes Bartok’s “Dance Suite,” Ravel’s “Mother Goose Suite” and the great Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto #2 in C Minor.”

“Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto is a remarkable piece of music,” says Lauricella. “It is filled with amazing melodic writing and passages that progress towards exhilarating musical climaxes.”

Lauricella began piano lessons at five-years-old and percussion lessons four years later. The talented musician has attended Juilliard and the Manhattan School of Music Precollege programs.

He’s also been featured on PBS as the WMHT Classical Student of the month and is a member of the Empire State Youth Orchestra’s Symphony orchestra.

“Although there are many things I see myself desiring to do and accomplish as a musician, I would love to have a balance of performing and teaching. A general goal of mine is to be able to play and meet with many other musicians around the world,” Lauricella said.

There will be a pre-concert talk with Lauricella and Artistic Director/Conductor Glen Cortese at 2 p.m. in the Guild Room at Proctors. It’s an excellent way to learn more about the music and an opportunity to ask questions about the performance. All are invited to attend.

Tickets are available through the Box Office at Proctors in-person, via phone at (518) 346-6204 Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or online visit atproctors.org. Children under 18 are free when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

SSSO is a part of Proctors Collaborative.