The Friends of Music Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra will begin the fall season on Sept. 17 with guest conductor Tara Simoncic.

Since its founding by Friends of Music in 2007, the orchestra has been led by former Chairman of the Shepherd University Department of Music, Mark McCoy. McCoy, now the dean of the School of Music at DePauw University, has passed his baton to three guest conductors. The FOM selection committee of members of the orchestra and board led a national search for three guest conductors and from the many applicants chose Tara Simoncic of Harrisburg, Pa., Stephen Czarkowski of Rockville, Md., and Jed Gaylin of Baltimore, Md.

The Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra concerts through 2012 are official events of the upcoming Shepherdstown 250 celebration. The curtain goes up in the Frank Arts Center for the first performance of the season on Sept. 17 at 8 p.m.

The public is cordially invited to “Lunch with Friends” at the Bavarian Inn, Shepherdstown on Friday, Sept. 16. For ticket and lunch information and to learn more about the Friends of Music, please call 304-876-5765 or visit www.sufom.org.