90 Local Musicians Play Alongside Philadelphia Orchestra on SPAC Stage
Six-year-old double bass player Kullyn Hughes (with his “assistant” Camela) after performing with the Philadelphia Orchestra at SPAC on Aug. 21. Photo by Jonathon Norcross.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) hosted its eighth annual PlayIN event last Thursday, allowing 90 local string musicians to perform on stage with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Participants ranged in age from as young as six to as old as eighty.
The youngest musician – Kullyn Hughes from Melrose, New York – had been playing for only two months when he joined in with one of the nation’s most esteemed symphony orchestras.
“It was pretty cool,” Kullyn said. “I mean…whoa!”
Kullyn played a double bass that was taller than he was, with some assistance from an adult. He said he was considering switching to the violin.
On stage, Kullyn and company were led by Assistant Conductor Naomi Woo, who provided some helpful feedback and seemed to thoroughly enjoy herself. Other Philadelphia Orchestra pros participating in the event included First Associate Concertmaster Juliette Kang, bass player Joseph Conyers, and nine other string musicians. Later in the performance, two members of the classically trained string group Time for Three – Nick Kendall and Charles Yang – joined on stage as well.
All of the local musicians who participated in the event were given two free tickets to return later that evening for the “Copland & Bates with Time for Three” concert.
According to SPAC, PlayINs are signature events for The Philadelphia Orchestra and part of the ensemble’s HEAR initiative, a portfolio of programs promoting the role of music in health, education, access, and research. The PlayINs have taken place regularly in Philadelphia since 2012 and in Saratoga since 2017, and are part of an array of programs designed to promote access for people of all ages to experience orchestral music either as listeners or performers.