SOGO August 2020 Newsletter

Orchestrating Lifelong Participation in the Arts

1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia WA 98501 | 360-352-1438 | studentorchestras.org studentorchestras@gmail.com | facebook.com/studentorchestras | August 2020 Vol. XXI No. 1

Dear SOGO community: As you can imagine, all of us on the SOGO staff have been keeping up with the national, statewide, and local conversations surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our number one priority is the health and safety of our students, staff, and families. We are looking at how we can best offer a meaningful experience without compromising health and safety.

With this in mind, we are officially announcing that all of our programming will be virtual, through at least this coming December.

"OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS, STAFF, AND FAMILIES."

Watch Music Director Cameron May announce that SOGO's programming will be virtual through December 2020 at https://youtu.be/jo8hCSaXEjg.

We will have our detailed plans finalized by late August, but in the meantime, we wanted to share some of the principles guiding our decisionmaking. Virtual programming:

SO-GO with Us on a Virtual Music Journey All of our worlds have been turned upside down. For SOGO, it was like we were frozen in time for a while, but now the chill is wearing off and we are ready to move forward.

I can speak for the artistic staff and board that we are excited about the virtual plans for SOGO. The flood gates of creativity opened the moment we made the decision to virtualize the fall season.

Did I say we are excited? Indeed we are because we see the potential for providing students with opportunities we could never have imagined in our past life!

This is the new SOGO, so let’s begin this musical journey by introducing you to how we will lead, inspire, and perform for the benefit of the young musicians.

THE CORE The core of the program and why students enjoy SOGO so much are the weekly rehearsals and concerts. We will continue to have these full rehearsals led by our conductors. These will be held on Zoom.

Members will also have sectionals on the orchestra repertoire, as well as other activities within their

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only guaranteed way to eliminate 1SOGOisthetheactivities. risk of spreading the virus by way of ensures that SOGO can continue 2as sectionals, many of our normal activities - such rehearsals, theory, and

music history - uninterrupted, regardless of fluctuating national, state, or local restrictions on in-person gatherings.

SOGO to offer additional 3neverallows opportunities for students that we’ve been able to offer before, including

lessons, master classes, and guest speakers from around the state and country.

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Virtual violin class at SOGO Summer Music

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A few weeks ago, we hosted a virtual incarnation of SOGO Summer Music.

We received lots of positive feedback from participants, and also learned some important lessons that will better inform our programming for the Fall.

We hope that this gives you a general idea of what to expect from SOGO during this unique time. Again, your (and our) health and safety are of the utmost importance to us, and we take that responsibility very seriously.

Take care, stay well, and we’ll talk to you soon.

Cameron May, Executive Director Greg Allison, Artistic Director Krina Allison, Executive Director

SO-GO with Us, cont'd

sections. Musicians will be trained to video themselves and work with clicktracks (just like the professionals) for the purpose of presenting a concert recording.

Students learn how to take care of their reeds from Teaching Artist Daniel Ailment during SOGO Summer Music.

WHAT'S NEW With over 550 years of playing experience and 350 years of teaching experience, the SOGO Artistic Staff brings a wealth of experience that has not been fully tapped until now. Their relationships with teachers, composers, and performers from all over the world are only a Zoom away - distance is no longer a barrier. SOGO Sundays will include guest artists, Master Classes, opportunities to explore composition, theory, music history, and much more.

EQUIPMENT NEEDS To make this, and students' online school experience work well, there are important equipment needs for working virtually: • External webcam (often has better sound than a built-in) • Earbuds or headphones • A printer to print out materials as needed for rehearsal, sectionals etc.

• Internet access • USB mic or similar ($30-$90) can also be a good addition FINANCIAL SUPPORT We will have funds available to support families who need assistance purchasing some of these items. As always, we are also able to provide confidential tuition assistance in the form of scholarships and/or payment plans. Please contact Krina Allison, Executive Director at StudentOrchestras@gmail.com or visit studentorchestras.org for more information.

PAY IT FORWARD If you would like to provide donated equipment or financial scholarships, please contact Krina Allison, Executive Director at StudentOrchestras@gmail.com, or donate online at studentorchestras.org.

Thank you.

Krina Allison, Executive Director Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia - SOGO

Percussion Teaching Artist Danny Craig demonstrates techniques for holding drumsticks.

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P.S. Since we are now virtual, distance is not a barrier to experiencing SOGO. Please pass the word along to friends and family members with young musicians - in and out of state!!!

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