Columbus’ Carlos Lopez is shown during a previous conducting appearance locally.
In the time that many teens have not yet even heard their first live orchestra, Columbus resident Carlos Lopez has organized and led two such ensembles in the past four years.
The 18-year-old recent high school graduate will raise his baton with the 55-member Kikai (Japanese for “opportunity”) Orchestra at a free concert at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 719 Fifth St. in downtown Columbus.
Members include volunteers from the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (which he has played with), volunteers from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, volunteers from his previous Okto Camonia ensemble and a few professionals from the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and the Evansville Philharmonic.
The performance also will include a guest conducting appearance from Josh Aerie, former music director of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. The program also will include Lopez playing a flute concerto with the group.
Moreover, the concert will feature several guest performers, including Columbus resident Natalie Cantu as a vocalist, and Seymour pianist Sana Tori. The repertoire will feature a variety of piano pieces, Johann Strauss marches, and a Christmas sing-along with tunes including “Joy to the World,” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” and “Angels We Have Heard on High.”
At the concert, organizers will accept donations for a new nonprofit called Foundation Giving Hope.
Alvaro Bornot, the orchestra’s assistant conductor, also will direct the ensemble on a work called “Vida Nostra.”
