Alexander Cousins of Grand Island will join the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert July 1 at Knox Farm in East Aurora.
Cousins, a cellist, will perform Camille Saint-Saens’ “Concerto No. 1 in A Minor for Cello and Orchestra.” The concert is free to attend.
Cousins is a 2014 graduate of Grand Island High School and was the third-place winner of the Friends of the BPO Scholarship, earning $1,000 toward his continued music education. He participated in the BPO’s inaugural season of master classes, performing for cellist Zuill Bailey.
A student of BPO principal cellist Roman Mekinulov, Cousins began his involvement in music in grade five and has continued through high school (orchestra, symphonic orchestra, chamber orchestra, concert choir, and jazz band). Other music activities that Cousins has participated in are Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra, with whom he performed a concerto; Niagara Music Educator’s Association Orchestra playing bass in grade 9; Erie County Music Educators’ Association Orchestra playing cello; New York State School Music Association Area All-State String Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra; Cheektowaga Symphony Orchestra; and STAGE Summer Pit Orchestra.
Academically, Cousins is enrolled in the Advanced Regents College Preparatory Curriculum. He is also very involved in his church’s Worship Team, Inspire Bible Study, and Young Life Ministries.