December 2013 Newsletter

What did audiences think after hearing debut performances of now-famous works of music?

Here is one take on Handel's “majestick” Messiah. This review was originally published in April (not a typo!

Messiah was originally an Easter offering) of 1742, after its world premiere in Dublin.

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Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia 1629 22nd Ave SE Olympia WA 98501

December 2013 | Vol. XIV No. 3

Do You Ever Wonder?

Remember to join us for the Messiah Sing-Along at the Washington Center on December 23. If you’ve never attended, check out a preview at http://goo.gl/vPcT7T.

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The Dublin Journal.

N Tuesday last Mr. Handel's Sacred Grand Oratorio, the MESSIAH, was performed at the New Musick-Hall in Fishamble-street; the best Judges allowed it to be the most finished piece of Musick.

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ORDS are wanting to express the exquisite Delight it afforded to the admiring crouded Audience.

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HE Sublime, the Grand, and the Tender, adapted to the most elevated, majestick and moving Words composed to transport and charm the ravished Heart and Ear.

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T is but justice to Mr. Handel that the World should know, he generously gave the Money arising from this Grand Performance to be shared by the Society for relieving Prisoners, the Charitable Infirmary, and Mercer's Hospital, for which they will ever gratefully remember his Name.

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HERE were about 700 people in the Room and the sum collected for that Noble and Pious Charity amounted to about 400l. out of which 127l. goes to each of the three great and pious Chairities.

SOGO HO HO: The New PB&J What is it that makes Christmas music and brass instruments go together like peanut butter and jelly?

Both are enjoyable on their own, but something else entirely when combined!

SOGO’s Brass Choir is immersed in preparations for the HO HO Holiday Show on Saturday, December 14. Listeners will be welcomed by a wonderful Hark, the Herald Angels Sing opening fanfare.

We will be joined by Joysong Victorian Carolers, a talented group of women vocalists who perform traditional Christmas music while attired in Victorian costumes.

Joysong Victorian Carolers We also welcome back Dame Ima Ditts, singer and SOGO alumni Elliot Weeks, and many others to our annual holiday variety show.

View newsletter in color at studentorchestras.org | studentorchestras@gmail.com |

Your Performance was Wonderful to Conduct

By Maestro John Welsh

We are preparing for our chamber music performance on December 8 and I’m hearing a lot of good things. Chamber music is written for small ensembles, such as trios, quartets or even nonets (9 parts) to perform in an intimate setting. It requires a different approach than playing in a full orchestra and is an important component of the musical education we provide.

With chamber music, in order to have beneficial rehearsals the musicians need to come prepared. Team work is all the more dependent on each individual’s participation and preparedness.

With chamber music...team work is all the more dependent on each individual’s participation and preparedness.

During rehearsal for our Beethoven wind octet, Debut conductor and bassoon teaching artist Lantz Berets noted that was a difficult piece for our musicians, until they learned how to count. “That’s why we do chamber music, to help our musicians learn how to count for themselves,” said Mary Jo Rydholm, our ensemble coordinator and string teaching artist.

Our Mozart Divertimento ensemble is knocking it out. We are also playing an amazing piece

by Josef Rheinberger. It is a nonet, except we are

doubling and tripling on violins and violas. The piece is very hard. I asked them, have you all listened to this? What do you think? They loved it. It’s really a great piece.

“Have you all listened to this? What do you think?” They loved it.

Play Softly and I’ll Carry a Big Stick

Finally, congratulations to our Conservatory Orchestra on their work at our November concert. For some of our Conservatory Orchestra music, the real challenge is the fact that the horn parts are in different keys from the rest of the orchestra. There are no transposed parts available.

Musicians are expected to be prepared; these transposition challenges are not an excuse for wrong notes in rehearsal.

One of the benefits of playing in an orchestra is that you learn to transpose. It may be a lot like cod liver oil, but it will stand you in good stead.

It may be a lot like cod liver oil, but it will stand you in good stead.

Your performance was wonderful to conduct. Your accompaniment of the Kairos String Quartet was sensitive.

You played softly, which is difficult to do, and with great maturity. I think you had fun in the Respighi dance suite.

I am looking forward to the rest of the year. We will be making some good music together!

Using Your Donations Wisely As good custodians of your monetary gifts, we make wide use of volunteers to perform various administrative and support tasks. These are all tasks that would cost a great deal if we hired others to do them. Starting with our first rehearsal in September, our volunteers have been hard at work setting up and tearing down the rehearsal equipment, printing and folding concert programs and newsletters, transporting musical equipment to concerts, acting as stage crew at our concert, and cleaning up backstage after the concert.

November Concert, By the Numbers 2

19 55 505 Number of volunteers in the November concert cycle

Hours of volunteer time

Dollars saved in time alone, at minimum wage

November concert volunteers: Heather Alnes, Greg Armstrong, Shani Cate, Marie Dunn, Ann Eure, William Eure, Anne Hales, Tracy Hall, Tom Hertter, Susan Hill, Yo Kondo, Elizabeth Lagerberg, Denis Langhans, Donna LeDuc, Daniela Li, Yoshiko Lindemeier, Shinde Manisha, Julie McDougall, Gwen McLanahan View newsletter in color at studentorchestras.org | studentorchestras@gmail.com |

SOGO’s Favorite Things

Thank you to our

sponsors and advertisers

SOGO 2013-2014 Sponsors Cabinets by Trivonna Charneski Charitable Fund The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound The Community Youth Fund The Harvard Dictionary of Music is an important staple in Dr. Andrew Kapust, DDS any musician’s collection. ~ Anne Edge, SOGO viola teaching National Endowment for the Arts artist and music historian National Federation of Music Clubs Olympia Federal Savings Olympic Dermatology & Laser Clinic Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional Headphones work any Panorama City iPod, laptop, desktop or tablet and include a larger adapter for Pioneer Technologies other uses. A clean sound and comfortable ear pads make these R.L. Ray Violin Shop Salon Salon an affordable step up from ear buds.

Sunrise Dental Tumwater Eye Center & VUE Festival of Carols by Philadelphia Brass Ensemble WA State Arts Commission This classic recording, available on CD and MP3, will Walter A. Bratton Youth Endowment Fund quickly earn a permanent place in your December playl-

Music Themed Gift Ideas

ist. Perfect for SOGO HO HO fans!

Baby Einstein Take Along Tunes plays baby-friendly versions of classical masterpieces by Mozart, Vivaldi, Chopin and Rossini.

Kikkerland Cool Tunes Musical Notes Ice Cube Tray - Add a “note” of holiday whimsy to your punch bowl: Fill tray with cranberry juice and freeze. Mix two parts juice with one part ginger ale. Garnish with slices of orange and fresh cranberries. Add juice notes to keep your punch chilled without becoming diluted.

SOGO

SOGO Baseball Caps - A great way to advertise your support for SOGO! The Little Pernambuco Tree, written by local violin shop owner Robert Ray and illustrated by local children, tells the story of a little pernambuco tree growing up in the forests of Brazil. This darling children’s tale was set to music by local composer Mark Thome. This book with music is available for purchase through the SOGO office (352.1438).

Remember, when you order items from Amazon.com via SOGO’s home page, SOGO receives a percentage of the sale.

2013-2014 Advertisers Andrew J. Kapust, DDS, PS Bischofberger Violins, Ltd Breathe Olympia Cooper Moss Advanced Dentistry David T. Stone Violins Donald Sampson, DDS Edward Case, MD Jennifer R. Case, Keller Williams Realty Environmental Connections Outdoor School Evergreen Brass Quintet Music 6000 Old School Pizzeria Pope John Paul II High School South Sound Endodontics South Sound Radiology South Sound Women’s Center TAGS Tanasse Chiropractic WSECU

Spring Events Season Concert

Sunday, March 2, 4 p.m.

Washington Center | olytix.org

Instrument Petting Zoo

Saturday, April 26, 2-4 p.m.

Washington Center | Free admission

Season Concert

Sunday, May 18, 4 p.m.

Washington Center | olytix.org

View newsletter in color at studentorchestras.org | studentorchestras@gmail.com |

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NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID OLYMPIA, WA PERMIT NO. 358 STUDENT ORCHESTRAS OF GREATER OLYMPIA 1629 22ND AVE SE OLYMPIA WA 98501-3019 SOGO Brass Choir Victorian Holiday Show December 14, 2 & 7 p.m.

First Christian Church Sponsored by Tumwater Eye Center & VUE and Salon Salon

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Salon Salon The Color Specialists

Messiah Sing-Along December 23rd, 7 p.m.

Washington Center for the Performing Arts Sponsored by R. L. Ray Violin Shop

December Events SOGO Chamber Music Performance December 8, 5 p.m.

First Christian Church | Free admission

BRASS CHOIR VICTORIAN HOLIDAY SHOW Saturday December 14

2:00 pm & 7:00 pm Salon Salon Tumwater Eye Center and VUE

SOGO Brass Choir Victorian Holiday Show

December 14, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

First Christian Church Reserve tickets through SOGO (352.1438)

Community Messiah Sing-Along December 23, 7 p.m.

Washington Center | Free admission

Scores available for purchase at the event, $10

It’s Not Too Late -

Arrange Live Music for Your Holiday Party Our ensembles have a large repertoire of holiday music.

Email the SOGO office at studentorchestras@gmail.com to schedule your event today!