SOGO
SOGO Graduating Seniors - Page 3
SO Y’KNOW NEWSLETTER
MAY 2012 Vol. 12 No. 5
Much the Same... ...and yet, some differences too.
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returned from a five week bike tour of New Zealand a few days before SOGO’s March Concert. New Zealand was an easy country to travel in. Much is the same as here. They speak the same language (with a really cool accent) and many of the same foods, especially fast food restaurants, are available in New Zealand (more expensive though), almost as plentifully as they are here. Some of the scenery even reminded me of home.
WHAT’S IN THE MUSIC?
Highlights of May 20th Conservatory Orchestra program. ~ Jeff Lund, Notes on Notes he final performance of the Conservatory Orchestra this year is a voyage into all things Russian - highlighted by the Conservatory Orchestra’s program of Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky. The heavy hitting tutti sections within this music, as well as it’s folkloric ideas and melodies, are monuments of Russian art and culture. Within these three pieces, many aspects of Russian life during this period are related through the orchestration and the musical composition.
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In Korsakov’s arrangement of Modest Mussorgsky, Korsakov’s sole purpose was to salvage the original work of his contemporary through clearer, more defined orchestration. The original, composed when Mussorgsky was only 19, lacked the unification of the Russian folk music style and the mythological ideas originally inspiring the work, then titled “St. John’s night on the Bare Mountain”. This traditional story could only be used in a tone poem it was written with the Russian musical tradition in mind. We find this strong sense of tradition in the Suite from his opera: The Tale of the Tsar Sultan. Mysticism was very heavily influencing Korsakov and his contempories. Often using fairytale subject matter, the premier Russian composers were capable of making large, colorful orchestrations representing the smallest of subjects, such as the bumblebee. This piece includes what is arguably Korsakov’s most famous of movements, and one of the most difficult orchestral pieces to perform effectively. While Korsakov focused primarily on mysticism and mythology, Tchaikovsky composed within reality, sometimes more real and personal than most classical music enthusiasts know. March Slav was composed as a tribute to the Russian soldiers who were wounded in the Servo/Turkish war of the late 19th century. Though this piece includes traditional melodies as well, such as “God save the Tsar”, their patriotic origin is written to mimic a funeral march; albeit – ala Tchaikovsky. Join us in the season finale Sunday, May 20, 4 p.m.
That got me thinking...what about music? More specifically, youth orchestral music. What opportunities do young Kiwi musicians have to play symphonic music? I did a little research. Turns out, Wellington (coincidentally the Capitol of New Zealand) has a Youth Orchestra called, not surprisingly, Wellington Youth Orchestra (WYO). It is a tuition -based program like SOGO. The “aims” of their “organisation” (definitely a British influence in spelling) are: --”To educate youth in the Provincial District of Wellington in musical appreciation as applied to orchestral music.” --”To provide the opportunity for youth to play in a symphony Morgan & band at Rockestra - a great gig featuring orchestra and to encourage young the Wellington Youth Orchestra and bands from the School of Rock. amateurs in symphonic music.” --”To provide performances by members of the orchestra or other artists.” Sound familiar? Yes, it is very similar to SOGO’s mission statement, “To provide a challenging, fully integrated music experience for young musicians which includes orchestra and ensemble performances, music education, and a broad Continued on page 2...
WHY I SHOOT YOUNG MUSICIANS
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o, not that! I’m the photographer! I’m Doug Ford, the guy you may see carrying a camera at rehearsals or standing by a tripod at concerts. Although I’m a member of the SOGO board, I’ve never had a child in SOGO, and know nothing about classical music. My iPod library is eclectic, but mostly contains what is called “adult alternative”. Why, then, do I hang out on Sundays and take photos of your talented kids? Funny you should ask.
H T U YO
Some SOGO board members were talking recently about the primary purposes of the organization. After some fascinating discussion, we centered on three aspects -- music, youth and community. Each of us involved in SOGO might relate
STUDENT ORCHESTRAS OF GREATER OLYMPIA ~ 1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia WA 98501 | www.studentorchestras@gmail.com
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