The 8th Annual Dick Dennis Memorial Concert given by North Central Orchestras will be this Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 pm. Under the direction of Mr. Craig Ghormley, the Concert, Philharmonic, and Symphony orchestras will perform. Michelle Goloschokin, senior violinist, will be featured on Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole. Steve Dokken, bassist with the Mancini Orchestra, will join the Symphony Orchestra on stage in a rousing Mancini tribute to Mr. Dennis.

Richard F. Dennis is known for his outstanding work as a teacher, violinist, conductor and adjudicator on the local, state, national and international level. In spite of many tempting offers from both coasts and in between, Mr. Dennis chose to spend his final 32 years before retirement, teaching in the Washington Township Schools, developing one of the premier orchestra programs in the country.

In recognition of his great dedication and many significant achievements in music education, the North Central Orchestra parents, friends, colleagues, former students, relatives and music lovers, established the scholarship program in 2005 known as the Dick Dennis Endowment. This Endowment offers the opportunity to young Washington Township string players who might not otherwise be able to receive assistance, to purse their love of orchestra. As the endowment grows, so too will the number of young string students who will benefit from it.

Donations will be accepted to support the Dick Dennis Endowment, providing funds for deserving students to take private lessons. Currently the Endowment is helping seven North Central Orchestra students.