Flathead orchestra takes final bow

The Flathead High School Orchestra, under the direction of Sherry Simmons, will be presenting its final concert of the season on Monday at 7:30 p.m. in the Flathead auditorium.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Flute player Amanda Dudis and violinist Amelia Thornton are this year's senior soloists.

The program will begin with music of Corelli's "Concerto Grosso," opus 6, No. 4 in D, followed by the hauntingly beautiful "Nimrod" from Elgar's Enigma Variations. The first movement of Mozart's flute concerto in G will be performed by Dudis and Thornton will play the moving "Meditation from Thais" by Massenet. The program's finale invites the Flathead Chorale-aires to join the orchestra in the "Te Deum" by Mozart.

Dudis is the daughter of Jon and Rhonda Dudis of Kalispell. She began her flute studies in the fifth grade with Jacqueline Fallon and she currently studies with Beth Pirrie. She has been involved in numerous musical activities including the high school's symphonic band and orchestra, the Glacier Youth orchestra and musical pit orchestras.

Dudis has participated as a flute soloist at District and State Music Festivals, earning superiors throughout her high school career. Dudis was a member of the 2005 All-State Band. She received a merit scholarship and will attend Seattle Pacific University in the fall; she intends to study there under Shelby Collins.

Thornton, daughter of Sandy and Richard Thornton of Kalispell, is currently a student of Jackie Melvin. Thornton has participated in the Flathead orchestra and the musical pit orchestras, performed as a soloist at Booster Club functions, earned superior solos and ensembles at District and State Music Festivals earning superior ratings, and has been a four-time member of the Montana All-State Orchestra.

In 2003 she was chosen to participate in the American Youth European Concert Tour Orchestra. Thornton will attend the University of Puget Sound on a music scholarship.