MANSFIELD — Mansfield Senior High orchestra director Alicia Tremmel describes Colin Henley in two simple sentences.
“He’s just wonderful,” she said. “He’s a dear.”
Henley, widely regarded as one of the most talented high school musicians in the state, will be in his familiar role as principal chair viola when the Cleveland Youth Orchestra performs in concert on March 4.
The 8 p.m. program in Severance Hall, home of the Cleveland Orchestra, also will feature the Cleveland Youth Chorus.
“I’ve been in Cleveland once a week, sometimes twice, for rehearsals,” said Henley, a senior now in his second year with the orchestra. “I’ll be up there Saturday and Sunday for dress rehearsals.”
The program will feature Stravinsky’s Petrouchka, Brahms’ Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny) and Copland’s Canticle of Freedom.
Henley earned his place in the orchestra through competitive audition. As a sophomore and junior he also played in the All-State Orchestra, a role he had to give up this year because of a demanding schedule.
Henley has decided to attend Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio, where he auditioned last weekend.
“I want to get my master’s in music performance, then go back to school to study architecture,” he said.
A member of the Senior High baseball and football teams, Henley said he would like to play baseball at Baldwin Wallace.
“Maybe,” he said. “We’ll see.”
Henley credits his orchestra experience at Senior High with helping to shape his goals.
“It definitely propelled me,” he said. “The challenging pieces from middle school to my freshman year really helped me to understand what I needed to do. I have appreciated music more because of my years here.”
Tickets for the March 4 concert are $15. One free youth admission (under 18) is provided with each adult ticket purchased. For ticket information call 216-231-1111 or go to clevelandorchestra.com.
