Newsletter - December 2015

November 2015 Vol. XVI No. 3

Providing a challenging, fully integrated music experience for the young musician because of support from people like you.

1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia WA 98501 360-352-1438 studentorchestras.org

"I'm so grateful to have had the experience!"

By Robin Anderson, parent of SOGO alumna

The third grade class of Kittitas, Washington was visited one day by Central Washington University students playing stringed instruments and offering after-school lessons paid mostly by a grant from the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation. All those who participated wanted to play the violin but Camille Anderson went home that afternoon and informed her mother that she wanted to play the cello. Her mother asked, "Do you even know what a cello is?" "Not really, but I saw Barney [the purple dinosaur popular in the 90s] play one once."

Camille participated in the program until it ended two years later, borrowing a 1/4 size cello. Afterward she took private lessons from CWU students and move into a 1/2 size cello. In the winter of 7th grade the family moved to Olympia and Camille continued her cello lessons with a full-size cello and a private instructor in the R. L. Ray Violin shop. She began 8th grade and SOGO that fall. Continued on p. 2>>

Thank you for allowing us the privilege of mentoring these young musicians

By Krina Allison

Our community really values the arts. That is the one thing that attracted my husband and I to the South Sound region. As musicians, we were looking for a place to work and live that gave the amenities of a big city but in a small town setting – Olympia was the place.

We have been living here for over twenty-five years and continue to enjoy our journey with SOGO. Now in its 16th season, we are in awe of the amazing support of private music teachers, music educators, businesses, but most of all, our faithful donors – YOU. Continued on p. 3>> Media on the Mezz: Follow along as we live-tweet our season concerts at Twitter.com@SOGO_Oly.

Like us at Facebook.com/studentorchestras.

View the newsletter in color at studentorchestras.org.

So Grateful (Continued from the front page)

In the process of developing her love of music and moving up in the SOGO orchestras Camille learned valuable life skills. She graduated 4th in her class at Black Hills High School, attended the University of Washington and in September 2015 began her second year at Hofstra Medical School in Long Island, NY.

If you missed #GivingTuesday you still have a chance to donate! What is #GivingTuesday?

Camille sums it up, "SOGO gave me an opportunity to grow and learn #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the as an artist, practice leadership and responsibility, and make life-long power of social media and collaboration. Observed on friends. I'm so grateful to have had the experience!" the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, #GivingTuesday Camille was a SOGO musician from 2003-2008. At that time SOGO rehearsed at kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on Washington Middle School. SOGO has moved a couple of times, but still does not have a their holiday and end-of-year giving. permanent rehearsal space.

Camille's mother, Robin, continues to support SOGO as the Office Manager at South Sound Women's Center, which advertises in concert programs. If you would like to place an advertisement, contact studentorchestras@gmail.com.

You can donate either online at studentorchestras.org (click on the "Donate" button at the bottom of the page) or by sending a check to SOGO at 1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia, 98501.

Holiday Songs and Stories to Warm the Heart Join the SOGO Brass Choir on December 12 to share the stories behind the holiday songs you know and love.

The Brass Choir will be playing Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa favorites such as O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; I'll be Home for Christmas; Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer; and Rock of Ages. As always, the program will end with a rousing sing-along.

SOGO always invites other local performing groups to partner with us. This year we are excited to feature the Olympia Youth Chorus, which is a wonderful opportunity for SOGO musicians to work with other young musicians in our community.

Your support brings this wonderful holiday celebration to our community don't miss it! December 12, 2 p.m., Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Tickets: Call 360-325-1438 to avoid the line at the door.

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Media on the Mezz: Follow along as we live-tweet our season concerts at Twitter.com@SOGO_Oly.

Like us at Facebook.com/studentorchestras.

View the newsletter in color at studentorchestras.org.

Thank You for the Privilege (Continued from the front page)

Hallelujah!

Come to listen or come to sing Come to listen or come to sing at the Messiah Sing-Along December 21 (the last Monday before Christmas). SOGO Conservatory Orchestra will share the stage at the Washington Center with soloists Denise Daverso, Briana Kramer, Nathan Rodahn, and Thomas Freet. Maestro John Welsh will be conducting along with Anna's Bay Chorale's new music director, Dr. Jonathon Isham, and SOGO's Elizabeth Ward.

December 21, 7 p.m., Washington Center. This joyful community event is free and open to the public.

We are grateful for every check or donation made online and the notes and cards of encouragement.

Meeting many of you has been a delight at concerts.

Thank you for allowing us, the staff and board of SOGO, the privilege of mentoring these young musicians. To be there... …as they negotiate the chamber music experience. …as they sit in rehearsal tired and worried about the big test at school the next day – until the music transports them to a better place. …as the young musician experiences, for the first time, the bright lights of the Washington Center Stage. …as the orchestra premieres a commissioned work written especially for them by a local composer. …as they touch the world of the professional musician and perform alongside the Evergreen Brass Quintet. …as more than twenty new musicians attend a SideBy-Side SOGO rehearsal, after which more than threequarters of them decide to become members. …as they participate in a conducting workshop featuring some of their own music teachers.

And this is just a recap of the first ten weeks of the SOGO season.

Poinsettia, Wreath, and Coffee Pickup December 3, 4-6 p.m. Allison home 1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia Do You Shop at Amazon.com?

When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to SOGO. Go to studentorchestras.org and click on the AmazonSmile button at the bottom of the page.

Media on the Mezz: Follow along as we live-tweet our season concerts at Twitter.com@SOGO_Oly.

As a donor, you help to make all of this possible.

It is obvious that Olympia’s investment in the arts has only become richer and deeper giving more opportunity to our young people.

I am so very blessed to live here!

Krina Allison is SOGO's Executive Director. She loves putting a face to a name, so be sure to introduce yourself on your way in to the next SOGO concert!

Like us at Facebook.com/studentorchestras.

View the newsletter in color at studentorchestras.org.

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Saturday December 12, 2:00 p.m.

Westminster Presbyterian Church 1925 Boulevard Rd SE, Olympia

Featuring Conservatory Brass Choir Greg Allison, Conductor Olympia Youth Chorus

$5 students $10 seniors and adults $25 Family of 4+ Tickets: Call 360.352.1438

Sponsored by Tumwater Eye Center & VUE www.studentorchestras.org Facebook.com/studentorchestras

Brass Choir Holiday Show

Come to sing or come to listen Washington Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Olympia Free Admission

Hosted by Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia Washington Center Featuring Community Musicians SOGO Conservatory Orchestra Guest Soloists Denise Daverso, Soprano Briana Kramer, Alto Nathan Rodahn, Tenor Thomas Freet, Bass Conductor John Welsh Dr. Jonathon Isham Elizabeth Ward Single scores are available for purchase

studentorchestras.org | 360.352.1438

Sponsored by R.L. Ray Violin Shop