August Newsletter

LEAD. INSPIRE. PERFORM. August/September 2023 Vol. 24 No. 1

SUMMER MUSIC ADVENTURES!

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s the summer edges toward its close, SOGO scarcely missed a beat during our supposed ‘time off.’

There was fun around every corner, and it started off with our SOGO MOJO (Musicians Out Jammin’ Olympia) quartet. Led by teaching artist Mary Jo Rydholm, the quartet was honored to be asked to perform on stage with FABBA at the Washington Center on July 23. If that wasn’t exhilarating enough, the students did a promo on King-5 for the ABBA tribute act (more on pg 2).

NOVEMBER SEASON CONCERT Sunday November 5 , 4pm Washington Center 360.753.8586 Tickets on sale soon.

CONCERT SPONSOR

Just weeks before the MOJO performance, young musicians joined in SOGO’s one-week Summer Music adventure.

They played their instruments and explored Jazz, Composition, Theory, Fiddling, Bucket Band, Choir, Guitar, and more.

A different experience was happening inside a workshop these last few months, requiring carpentry skills and plenty of nifty tools. The end game was to create a ‘real’ concert podium for the SOGO conductors to stand on at the Washington Center. Thank you to Mr. May, senior

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(Cameron’s father), for helping us retire the old duct-taped podium that was pretty precarious at times.

Meanwhile, in the SOGO office (AKA Mr. and Mrs. Allison’s home), two new team members came on board in July, Erika hailing from ‘Jersey’ and Sorcha representing Ireland. We couldn’t have a more diverse group running SOGO if we had planned it!

Erika Lari is our marketing whiz, and Sorcha Barr-Deneen, our first-ever business manager, who doesn’t put up with any shenanigans! SOGO is experiencing expansion, and we needed more hands to help equip the organization moving forward.

The SOGO Kick-Off is Sunday, August 27. Deidre Fuchs, Rehearsal Manager, will be there to welcome all the students back to rehearsals. We also look forward to our audience members at the opening concert Sunday, November 5, 4pm. Watch for tickets going on sale in September by checking out the SOGO website at studentorchestras.org.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

OGO has recently received a generous grant from the ACT 1 Theatre organization of Tacoma. During the previous season, Karen Wilson and Meggin Turk (pictured above) attended SOGO’s Sunday rehearsals. Throughout the afternoon, they delighted in listening to each of the SOGO orchestras. Their visit culminated with a stop at the Conservatory rehearsal, where they presented a donation on behalf of their Entertainment Explosion organization.

Fast forward ten months, and an unexpected piece of mail arrived in SOGO’s mailbox, addressed from the ACT 1 Theatre. Enclosed within was a check along with a gracious note from Virginia Winger, the organization’s treasurer.

In the note, Virginia conveyed their decision to award SOGO with funding and extended their best wishes for the upcoming 23-24 season.

Naturally, this prompted questions.

Who were these benefactors? Further

investigation led to a conversation with Virginia, who revealed her connection to Karen where she learned the details of their visit to SOGO. As a valued donor, you possess the power to make a significant impact within our community. Whether by spreading the word about SOGO to others, inviting friends to our concerts, or offering financial support, you play a crucial role in driving positive change. Your involvement truly makes a difference.

1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501 | 360.352.1438 | StudentOrchestras.org | sogo@studentorchestras.org

LIVE ON STAGE & KING-5 TV! e were so proud to have W a MOJO (Musicians Out Jammin’ Olympia) quartet

from SOGO invited to perform three pieces in the “Tribute to ABBA” show called FABBA, July 23 at the Washington Center.

A photo shoot ensued for publicity purposes to send to area media venues.

The promo appeared on the desk of Joseph Suttner, producer of the “New Day Northwest” on King-5 television.

Being an avid fan of ABBA, he called the booking agency to see if the MOJO quartet could perform on his show. The group set off for a 9am show taping July 13th in Seattle.

Alluzai, violin, said she was delighted to know that she had officially played on live TV!

Buy local Holiday Fundraiser begins Oct. 1

L-R Andy, Carol, Alluzai, Michelle were very energetic and had such amazing voices. The students aced their part of the show and even came out with the FABBA cast at the end to take a bow before the audience, which Michelle said was most memorable for her.

Molly Gilmore, contributing reporter for “The Olympian” newspaper, also saw the FABBA press release and requested an interview with the group members. The quartet, including Mrs. Rydholm, were interviewed and the article appeared in our local paper July 20.

Andy, cello, confessed that if he could repeat his experience, he would like to be less nervous. No doubt, though, plenty of pictures were taken with the FABBA members and many memories were made through this entire experience.

Finally, the day came for the quartet members to rehearse and perform with the FABBA singers. Carol, violin, was impressed that the performers

Students interested in joining a MOJO ensemble can contact Mrs. Rydholm through SOGO@StudentOrchestras.org.

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE

raising, policy, budgets, and tives, whom we’ll introduce in ing for musicians, alongside much more. Thurston County our fall newsletter. dedicated SOGO outreach alone boasts 2,616 non-profprograms. On a personal its on record, while in the In discussions with current note, they were asked, “How United States there are 64 student board members about do you envision yourself as million nonprofit board memorable decisions from the an adult board member of members and volunteers. past year, Taylor was thrilled a non-profit organization?”

Last year, Washington State by the board’s fervor for enOne student confessed, “If passed a law empowering hancing the SOGO experience you asked me this question up to two students as young for students and the commu- before being on the board, as 17 years old, with parent nity. Sky found inspiration in I would probably have said permission, to have voting students’ newfound voting I don’t see myself in this rights on boards. privileges, exclaiming, “As a position. However, this past voting member now, I’m eager year has really taught me the Students bring fresh perspec- to dive into board decisions.” value of serving on a board, L-R Locke, Sky, Taylor tives, while ensuring SOGO’s Locke was very interested in and I would say I am much more likely to.” Others said ince 2000 there have been core mission to serve student the decision-making process musicians.

Presently, student that shaped the 23-24 season’s their current experience students serving on the would surely aid future SOGO board. This experience board members include Sky, budget. endeavors if they served not only fulfills their volunteer Taylor (voting members), and Locke, with up to two When quizzed about what on a board, along with one requirements for high school more positions open. During board issues they were most definitely seeing themself graduation, but students adpassionate about, students stepping up to contribute to ditionally learn firsthand how the second week of regular highlighted keeping the SOGO organizations to which they boards work, their importance rehearsals, the orchestras will vote for their representa- experience lively and engagfeel a close connection. in society, leadership, fund-

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