November Newsletter

LEAD. INSPIRE. PERFORM.

November 2023 Vol. 24 No. 2

LIGHTS, CANNONS, ACTION! Cameron May, Music Director

all is here, and the first concert Halloween! Joyride is a piece I have Faround of SOGO’s 24th season is right been waiting to perform for over the corner! Our students and three years. I first heard it in Febru-

NOVEMBER SEASON CONCERT Sunday, November 5 at 4pm Washington Center Tickets: $8-23* Six & under free*

360.753.8586 *plus $4 WCPA fee

CONCERT SPONSOR

staff are hard at work preparing a variety of musical selections to share with the community, performed by our three orchestras, brass choir, and chamber ensembles. As always, the brass choir will call us to order at the top of the show, and the first half will also feature our Debut and Academy orchestras. My colleagues Greg Allison, Dan Craig, and Liz Ward have been working tirelessly and deliberately to help our students develop the knowledge and skills they need to tackle this first set of repertoire. This year, we have invited three orchestra teachers from our local community to guest conduct the Debut Orchestra over the course of the season, and I am very pleased to share that my friend and colleague Paula Fairchild – who teaches at Salish Middle School and Lacey Elementary in North Thurston Public Schools – will be conducting a piece at our fall concert.

After intermission, the Conservatory Orchestra will take the stage performing an exciting mix of old and new works. We have two musical “rides” in a row: Joyride by Michael Markowski and Music for a Midnight Carriage Ride by local composer and music educator Austin Schlichting.

Carriage Ride is receiving its first-ever performance at this concert, and Mr. Schlichting labels it as an “eerie waltz” – perfect for a concert that takes place just a few days after

rtistic Director Greg Allison visitA ed the Shelton schools last June through the SOGO 2 Schools program.

This fall, the Oakland Bay J.H.S. band director invited Mr. Allison out for their staff development day to work with the band students.

On a visit with a full class, I often play a tune with the preamble that the goal of my time there is to help them grow in technique and skill that will lead to art-

ary of 2020 and bought the score a month later (I wonder why we couldn’t perform it at the time?!).

One of my responsibilities as a youth orchestra conductor is to introduce the students to works of the standard classical repertoire that they are likely to encounter in their future musical endeavors. The Conservatory Orchestra’s final piece on November 5 will be Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, written in 1880 to commemorate Russia’s successful defense against Napoleon in 1812.

Some believe it’s inappropriate to perform this piece in the present political climate; however, it’s important to look at the larger picture.

Yes, this piece celebrates a Russian victory, but France’s Napoleon was the formidable tyrant of the day.

Tchaikovsky’s 1812 has thus taken on a greater meaning, with the War of 1812 seen as a shining example of a country prevailing against an authoritarian enemy. The music’s use in patriotic celebrations and dystopian movies reminds us of the importance of standing up for what is right and remaining steadfast in times of trial. Plus, the composition is a spectacle in and of itself and rightfully part of the classical canon performed by orchestras all around the world.

SOGO’s fall concert on November 5 promises energetic performances by nearly 150 students from around the South Sound region. See you there!

ARTISTRY

istry. That artistry will then allow them to present a beautiful work of performance art that will move at least some of the members.

As I began to play, there was whispering and fidgeting from a couple of places in the room. The longer I played, however, the quieter and more focused the class became. As the last note died away, there was a poignant hush in the room.

Maybe you can remember a similar

occasion, when time seemed to stand still - this was one such occasion for me.

At the end of the class, a clarinet player came up to me and asked for the name of the song I had played earlier, and then let me know that as I played, she had begun to cry.

This, I believe, is why we do what we do.

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

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

ow in her senior year and 9th season can learn and support each other. “I N with SOGO, Livvy Rowley is servwould like to see the program grow from ing as a Student Representative of the not only having older students help in Conservatory Orchestra. This year, Livvy is spearheading a program for older students to mentor Debut musicians, the youngest orchestra level.

Tickets online at StudentOrchestras.org

When asked about what she wished she had known or experienced when she was in Debut, Livvy stated that interaction between the orchestras was important. “It can be pretty scary when you’re that young to be playing in a full orchestra,” she says, “I think that having a more social aspect with the orchestras is something that helps.”

Livvy’s vision for the mentorship program is to enhance the community within the students of SOGO where everyone

rehearsals but also taking time to meet with the younger musicians before rehearsal to help them with difficult spots in the music or issues with their instrument,” says Livvy.

It’s students like Livvy who see a need and are stepping up to make a difference. “I want everyone to reach their full potential and younger kids to have people to look up to and see where they can be in the future if they continue to play music.” She sees that this experience helps older musicians gain skills in teaching by helping younger students. As Livvy says, “The mentorship program will bring members of SOGO together in a unique way that is beneficial to all.”

t! ven E e Fre

SOGO student leadership: L-R Alyssa, Isabella, Zoey, Locke, Taylor, Sky, Hadley, Maia, Livvy, Cooper, Audrey, Lila, Freya.

What an exciting opportunity for me to be ‘back with SOGO’! It has been a number of years since I was on the SOGO conducting staff with this community of musicians. To be asked to work with the members of the Debut Orchestra and to conduct a piece at the November 5 concert is definitely a highlight of mine

Paula Fairchild, Guest Conductor (Orchestra Director Salish M.S.)

in this new school year. SOGO offers so much to these young musicians—skills that will carry them and sustain them for a lifetime—technical skill, musicianship, poise, confidence, and the opportunity to be a lifelong member of a musical family!

Thank you for the opportunity to join in the fun, SOGO! It’s good to be home!”

Wreaths, florist-quality pointsettias, coffee, hot chocolate, SOGO Swag, and Brass Choir Holiday Show tickets

YOUR GIFT GOES FURTHER Visit StudentOrchestras.org from November 6-17 and click the GIVE LOCAL button. You will be redirected to SOGO’s Give Local 2023 page.

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Credit card fees are waived Your donation is stretched by a Bonus Fund.*

* Dawkins Charitable Giving Trust is providing $100,000 for the stretch.

If you prefer, donations are still gladly accepted directly to SOGO at 1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia, WA 98501.