Gladish Community & Cultural Center

WIS, Gladish join forces to improve Domey Auditorium

By Kristin Lincoln

In 2019, the Washington Idaho Symphony moved it office back to the Gladish Community and Cultural Center and committed to assist in a campaign to upgrade the Richard L. Domey Auditorium to meet its needs so they can once again perform in a space they can call their home. The WIS had stopped performing at Gladish's Domey Auditorium over concerns that the aging theater space was not acoustically adequate for the orchestra. The WIS is committed to supporting Kristin Lincoln, the Gladish to create a performing arts center that WIS Executive Director can highlight the quality of the WIS musicianship and provide a high quality, affordable space for our region’s performing arts organizations to perform.

During these unprecedented times the WIS has had to put a pause on performing live concerts to protect its patrons and musicians from the spread of the COVID-19 virus. But this has not stopped the WIS from doing what it can to not only ensure they have enough financial support to weather this storm, but to also continue to fulfil its musical mission as best as it can. The WIS is seeking donations from the community to meet its monthly donation goal of $4,500. They have also launched an online silent auction fundraiser and expanded its Online Symphony Store to include WIS merchandise.

On the music side, Dr. Dahn Pham and the orchestra are working hard to create virtual musical performances to entertain and engage the community until they can once again take the stage.

While the WIS is currently having to think outside the box in terms of continuing to create orchestra performances, the orchestra and staff are ready to celebrate its 50th anniversary in the 2021-22 season. The WIS may be virtual at the moment, but with the continued support of the Quad Cities communities, the music will go on.

WIS History

In 1969 a small group of dedicated musicians from Pullman decided to organize the Palouse Community Orchestra. Today that community orchestra is the 60-member Washington Idaho Symphony (WIS). The organization has had six permanent conductors/ Music Director Dr. Dahn Pham music directors including Dr. Martin-Beatus Meier (1971- 1976), Dr. H. James Schoepflin (1976-1987), Dr. L. Keating Johnson (1988-2004), Dr. Nicholas L. Wallin (2005-2009), Dr. Jeremy Briggs Roberts (2009-2018), and Dr. Dahn Pham (2018-present).

The WIS had combined the roles of Executive Director of the organization and Music Director. However, in 2018 the organization looked to again separate these roles to give more focus to the business side of the WIS while not distracting the development of its musical prowess. Kristin Lincoln was hired to fulfill the Executive Director role. Along with the hiring of Lincoln in 2018, the WIS also brought in Dr. Pham to lead the orchestra and serve as the WIS Music Director. In addition to leading the WIS Orchestra, he is also Conductor of the WSU Symphony Orchestra, and Director of Bands at Washington State University. In addition to directing the WSU Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Dr. Pham conducts the WSU Opera and Musical Theatre, and teaches Instrumental Conducting and Symphonic Literature courses. He is a ConnSelmer Educational Clinician. With this new experienced leadership at the helm, the WIS is positioned to successfully fulfill its mission and continue to grow as an organization.

Visit www.wa-idsymphony.org to support our regions only professional orchestra and help them create another 50 years of music excellence!

Tenant Highlight: Programs remain at Gladish

The YMCA typical program offering pre-COVID was an after school program at each of the four Pullman Elementary Schools for youth in grades K - 5.

“Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic we have not been able to operate any program including our summer camp at any school location,” Josh Paparazzo, director of programs for the YMCA of the Palouse. “We are so grateful for Gladish Community Center in giving us space so we could continue serving the community especially during this fall semester.

“With the area schools going to full time online learning until such time it is safe to return in mass to inperson instruction, we have had the opportunity, thanks to Gladish, to offer an Academic Day Camp for youth grades K - 5 of working parents,” he said.

The focus is to help enrolled youth with the online learning requirements and school assignments in a structured environment to also include STEM/Art activities, physical activity and more.

The Y serves snacks in the morning and afternoon and the Pullman School District can provide lunch to the youngsters at no charge. The Academic Camp itself costs $200 per participant per week or $47 per daily drop in.

“It is important to note that we do offer financial assistance to those who qualify,” Paparazzo said. “Our Y philosophy is that we will never turn down services to youth or families due to financial hardship.

“We are very grateful to our donors and supporters

who make it possible to do what we do,” the director said.

Parents interested in signing up their children, should email the YMCA at info@palouseymca.org or call (509) 332-3524 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Due to the continuous COVID threat, staff can't allow tours of the facility and program, but members are more than happy to answer questions remotely or schedule an appointment at the Y office at 105 NE Spring St. in Pullman.

The YMCA of the Palouse has been in the area since established on Nov. 24, 1894, as a collegiate group serving the Y of WSU. The organization now serves members across the Palouse area to include Whitman and Latah counties. The YMCA of the Palouse did operate out of the Gladish Community and Culture Center between its days at WSU and more recently operating out of the area elementary schools.

“It is great to be back at Gladish during these times,” the director said. “We are eager to find ways to serve the community and have a place to serve from.”

Gladish Community and Cultural Center Business Directory • GLADISH is great for Education… Celebrations… Performances… and Events. Contact us today.

ARTS

• Community Band of the Palouse, 509-334-6270 • North Star Music • Red Dog Art Room, Rhonda Skaggs, 509-339-3891 • Trisha Mallet Piano Studio 509-592-3610 • WA-ID Symphony, 208-874-4162

CHILD CARE AND RESOURCES

• The Learning Center, 334-1234 • Montessori School of Pullman 334-4114 • YMCA of the Palouse

FITNESS/WELLNESS

AA District 2 Aloft Yoga and Nia, aloft-yoga.com E. WA Surf Soccer Club Palouse, Brandon Schreiner Lifespan Counseling, 206-910-7138 Mantis Martial Arts LLC Palouse River Rollers Pullman Kokondo Academy 509-995-2894 Rolling Hills Derby Dames rollinghillsderbydames.com Wheat Whackers www.wheatwhackers.com

FOODS

A&Y Cuisine

ORGANIZATIONS

Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse, 509-332-4357 Amalgamated Transit Union American Legion Post 52 Apostolic Faith, 509-338-5869 Friends of Hospice, 509-332-4414 Good Deeds Mortgage, 509-339-7110 Idiopathics Mumma Insurance, 425-455-1406 jeffm@mummainsurance.com • Plateau Archaeological Investigations 332-3830 • Whitman County Genealogical

Society Library, 332-2386 • Whitman County Historical Society

Archives, 334-3940 • Whitman County Humane Society • Whitman Window Cleaning, LLC • Work Source, 509-553-3496 mwood@esd.wa.gov

SCHOOLS

• AC Driving School, Room 306 • Pullman Community Montesorri (Public School) Please support your community center and become a Friend of Gladish. Send a $35 (Individual), $50(Family) or $100 (Business) donation to: 115 NW State St., Suite 212A, Pullman, WA 99163 Or give online here:

www.gladishcommunity.org

Email us: Gladish@pullman.com