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For honors
Community orchestra performs for first time at Veterans Day observance
11.13 veterans day 2
Director Andrea Huff leads the Effingham Community Orchestra. - photo by Photo by Pat Donahue

Before an overflow crowd, the newly-formed Effingham Community Orchestra did its part in recognizing the service of America’s soldiers past and present.

The orchestra, under the direction of Andrea Huff, performed during Sunday’s Veterans Day program at Veterans Park of Effingham.

“It touched my heart,” said master of ceremonies Lamar Crosby, a veteran himself, “and I’m sure it did everyone else as well.”

The performance, which included the national anthem, “God of Our Fathers,” “To Reap the Blessings of Freedom,” “America the Beautiful,” “God Bless America,” and the marches of the armed services, was the community debut for the group.

“This means everything to this orchestra,” Huff said. “It means a lot we were invited to do this.”

The orchestra was formed because adult musicians who are not professionals wanted a chance to play, she said.

“We’ve been working on this program for a very, very long time,” Huff said, “so they were comfortable. As far as the music is concerned, they were comfortable.

“They did a fabulous job,” Huff said.

The Effingham Community Orchestra also will play at the Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Classic on Sunday at 2:45 p.m.