February 2018 Vol. XVIII No. 2
Providing a challenging, fully integrated music experience for the young musician because of support from
Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia
people like you.
1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia WA 98501 360-352-1438 studentorchestras.org
2017-2018 Season Concerts Sundays at 4:00P.M. • March 4, May 20 • Washington Center
Maestro Welsh’s Penultimate SOGO Concert
Working with professional soloists challenges musicians to be active listeners adjusting to the subtleties of accompaniment. Conservatory Orchestra members are working on this skill as they prepare to perform Brahms’ Concerto for Violin and Cello with Northwest artists Carrie Rehkopf and John Michel at the Washington Center on March 4. “As soloists we need the orchestra to respond to very slight tempo changes like a sports car would respond on a sharp turn, but orchestras initially respond slowly like a semi truck,” says Michel. “Fortunately, student musicians are open to change and flexible; they adapt and make incredible improvements right up to the performance!”
John Welsh with SOGO musician Drew Norton in November 2010. Read more about Drew on page two (“From all the members of SOGO past, present, and future...”).
Welsh has chosen some personal favorites for the winter SOGO concert: Respighi’s Pines of Rome and Brahms’ Concerto for Violin and Cello.
“While beginning my first foray into orchestral literature, one of my initial discoveries was three tone poems based on Rome. I immediately fell in love with Pines of Rome. It is fast becoming a favorite of the Conservatory Orchestra.” Welsh invited Northwest artists Carrie Rehkopf, violin, and John Michel, cello, to perform the Brahms concerto. The duo are artists in residence at Central Washington University where they teach.
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In the 18 years I have had with SOGO, the students with whom I have worked have become the most important people in my life. ~ Maestro John Welsh
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“Performing with any professor gives prospective students a chance to hear someone who could be their teacher. On a musical level performing with soloists of such caliber enables them to work on a piece at a level that opens their eyes to elevated musical ideas,” says Welsh. Read more about soloists Carrie Rehkopf and John Michel at right (Sports Car on a Sharp Turn). The Conservatory Orchestra performs these favorites ― along with arrangements of works by Brahms, Beethoven, Smetana, and Rossini to be performed by the Academy and Debut Orchestras ― March 4, 4:00pm, at the Washington Center.
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Rehkopf, violin, and Michel, cello, have taught music at Central Washington University for 27 years and have eclectic careers as soloists and chamber musicians. The pair will perform this concerto again with the CWU Symphony this spring.
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As soloists we need the orchestra to respond to very slight tempo changes or rubato like a sports car would respond on a sharp turn, but orchestras initially respond slowly like a semi truck.
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“In the 18 years I have had with SOGO, the students with whom I have worked have become the most important people in my life,” reflects Maestro John Welsh as he prepares to retire at the end of the 2017-2018 concert season. “I really love being able to spread the word about music and work on music making with them.”
Like a Sports Car on a Sharp Turn
Michel explains why this piece is a good choice for students. “The orchestra parts share constantly in the dialogue with the soloists and the writing features Brahms’ rich and expressive harmonies. Because of the constant shifts of tempo and rubato, this work is a challenge for any orchestra.” Rubato is an expressive interpretation of tempo within a musical phrase. Performing with the CWU professors also gives prospective students a chance to play with someone who could one day be their professor. SOGO teaching artist and alumnus Casey Felt studied cello under Michel and says, “I learned from John Michel how to approach the cello in a more thoughtful way. John’s passion and excitement for music was inspiring. The combination of his expertise and kind, welcoming demeanor made for an impactful college experience.” Rehkopf and Michel encourage students to continue music after high school. “Music feeds the soul. Making music even more so. Our wish is that young musicians continue their music through college and beyond regardless of whether they do it professionally or avocationally.” Purchase tickets now at the Washingtoncenter.org website to hear the Conservatory Orchestra rev their engines Sunday, March 4 at 4:00pm. 1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia WA 98501
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“From all the members of SOGO past, present, and future, thank you for all that you have done.” A Letter from Drew Norton, SOGO Alumnus (2011) First and foremost, I would like to thank all of you that have donated to Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia in any way. Your dedication to the young men and women of the arts is not without acknowledgment and appreciation. Though my time at SOGO is long past, I still take away the life lessons that I learned during my tenure with SOGO. Although at times I may not have liked to admit it, every Sunday there was something that I could take away and use not only for the next rehearsal, but in life as well. The greatest lesson I have ever learned from SOGO is that if you put in the time and dedicate yourself to a goal, nothing is impossible. Preparing for my performance of “Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra” in my final year at SOGO was to this day one of the most challenging endeavors of my life. There were many times during my preparation that I doubted being able to even learn the piece of music let alone perform it on stage. As anyone involved in the arts will attest to, mastery of anything does not happen overnight. There are days where you progress in leaps and bounds, then there are days where you take a step back. The latter can be quite devastating but those days aren’t the end of the world and can be overcome. Up until the moment I walked onto that stage I had doubts. Concern for those extremely difficult 12 measures, anything that could possibly go wrong and how I would ever recover if I made a mistake. I was terrified backstage, a feeling that I know I share with anyone in the performing arts. However, that all changes once the first note is struck and you hear it reverberate throughout the hall. Just you and the music in an exhilarating dance for the audience to see. The second measure comes, the third, the fourth…The music begins to flow effortlessly as all that time practicing for this moment comes to fruition. For the next eight minutes, nothing in the world is of concern. What I thought would be the most terrifying and crippling eight minutes of my life, were carefree and euphoric. Striking the final note in unison with the orchestra, looking around to see the audience and my colleagues smiling back at me, and Mr. Welsh giving me, still to this day, one of the most powerful hugs I have ever received. That moment is one that I will cherish forever. Hard work and determination is rewarded not only in music but in life as well. Today I am a graduate of Montana State University with a Masters in Environmental Engineering. Much like my experiences at SOGO, my time at MSU was filled with success, doubts, and even the horrendous experience of failure. For six years, I experienced challenge after challenge. When I put in the time required of me to complete these tasks I was rewarded in kind. When I avoided the work, I was reminded of what it takes to succeed. If not for the lessons I took with me from SOGO, I would not have accomplished as much as I have. To every young musician still debating whether the time and effort you put in to your craft is worth it, it is! Nothing has helped me more in my life than those countless hours with the metronome practicing the same 3 measures over and over and over. Learning to work hard until you get it right will open more doors than you can ever imagine. Keep it up, you will be rewarded for it in the future. Again, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed in any way to the performing arts and SOGO over the years. From all the members of SOGO past, present, and future, thank you for all that you have done. Sincerely, Drew Norton
“The greatest lesson I have ever learned from SOGO is that if you put in the time and dedicate yourself to a goal, nothing is impossible.” ~ SOGO Alumnus Drew Norton
Season Concerts Sundays, 4p.m. • March 4, May 20 • Tickets *7-16 • Order at 360.753.8586 or washingtoncenter.org Instrument Petting Zoo at the Washington Center • Saturday, April 28, 2-4 p.m.
Unwavering Commitment to Our Community and the Arts You may know that Olympia Federal Savings has sponsored SOGO concerts for many years and is the Distinguished Sponsor for the March 4 concert. But did you know that OlyFed dedicates at least 5% of its revenues to philanthropic organizations in the South Sound? We asked OlyFed Vice President Sandy DiBernardo to talk about their place in our community.
We love SOGO because not only does it teach our youth about leadership and personal growth through music; it also provides them with life-long skills that will forever bring joy to their lives. We think that’s a pretty wonderful combination and great community investment.
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The arts and our local youth are what make our community so vibrant and our future so hopeful and bright.
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We love SOGO because not only does it teach our youth about leadership and personal growth through music; it also provides them with life-long skills that will forever bring joy to their lives.
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Q: Why do you include so many groups for youth and the arts in your giving? A: The arts and our local youth are what make our community so vibrant and our future so hopeful and bright. When you look at the arts, whether it be music, theater or the creative crafting of mixed mediums like painting and sculpture, you see that behind them is the foundation of scientific and social breakthroughs for our society. You also see an avenue for bringing community together in positive and meaningful ways.
Q: How is OlyFed different from Wall Street “big banking”? Are you able to make a bigger impact on our local community? A: For 111 years, OlyFed has remained a mutual savings and loan that is owned by our account holders. We don’t have to make decisions based on the pressures of Wall Street; rather we are here to support you, our customers and neighbors.
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Our founders had a simple belief in providing depositors with a safe and secure place to save their money while earning a reasonable rate of return. They also believed in investing depositor’s funds in the local real estate market in order to help families afford to build and buy their own homes. Today our focus remains the same with a dual mission of exceptional service to our customers and an unwavering commitment to the community.
Instrument Petting Zoo at Olympia Arts Walk Kids of all ages are invited to attend the wild and ferocious Instrument Petting Zoo Saturday, April 28, from 2-4pm at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. There will be zoo keepers on hand to demonstrate and help you learn how to blow, bow, buzz, pluck, or crash the different instruments played in an orchestra. This is a free and open to the public event for those who want to experience some fun during the Spring Olympia Arts Walk.
Q: Has there been an OlyFed favorite piece or moment from a SOGO concert? A: This is a challenging question to answer. Just like each musician and instrument is unique, so are the concerts. The Messiah Sing-Along that took place during the holidays was pretty powerful and quite an amazing experience. For us, every concert is special because it represents so much hard work that took place behind the scenes by students, staff, parents and artistic partners. It’s all the practice and creativity leading up to the show that is so magical. While the concerts fill our eyes, ears and hearts with the transformational power of music; it’s the smiles after the concert that show what was really accomplished through the music.
NEW Beginner Strings and Wind Classes!
Support from The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound Back! Made This Pilot Program a Success: SOGO Summer Music is Back!
Thanks to a generous grant this season, The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound has helped SOGO pilot a second program to offer free beginner strings and wind instrument classes in May! • Violinist Ben Jaudon says his favorite part last summer was “composing music because we got to learn about music theory and experiment with notes.”
Last year The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound supported a pilot program to bring music classes to 5-8th grade musicians in our community. The program was such a success that we’re bringing it back this summer! Mark your calendars! Class information will be available on studentorchestras.org in March. Online registration will begin in April. Classes will be June 25 - July 6.
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Classes are for beginners and will be once/week for four weeks. Instruments will be provided. Classes are FREE! 3rd graders are eligible for strings classes; 4th graders are eligible for wind classes. Registration begins in April by calling 360-352-1438 or emailing studentorchestras@gmail.com. More information will be available at studentorchestras.org in March. Or talk to us at the Instrument Petting Zoo on April 28 at the Washington Center!
SOGO is a registered 501c(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization and accepts both tax-deductible donations and in-kind contributions. We are always looking for new concert sponsors and advertisers.
Coming Soon: New Music Director Announcement
SOGO’s Search Committee for a New Music Director has been diligently looking for someone with exceptional musicianship and conducting skills, successful experience working with youth musicians, and the confidence and patience to motivate and inspire young musicians. “The nationally advertised announcement for a successor to Music Director John Welsh has drawn applicants from as far away as South Carolina, Minnesota and Nebraska, in addition to well-qualified candidates from the Pacific Northwest,” says committee chair Dr. Ed Sandor. Applicants provided thorough resumes, a paper on their educational philosophy, and videos of themselves conducting.
The committee then made some initial phone interviews and four finalists were invited to audition before the Conservatory Orchestra. The search committee required finalists to rehearse both new and familiar literature with the students. First, candidates guided musicians as they sight read a new piece. Second, the candidates led students through a rehearsal and informal performance of Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, which the Conservatory Orchestra performed at the November 2017 season concert. Current faculty and students, local musicians and music educators, and other concerned individuals who attended the auditions have also given input to the committee.
Sandor is confident that, “while Music Director John Welsh will certainly be missed after he retires, the search process promises to yield a worthy successor who will artfully lead our program into the future.” Keep your eyes and ears open for an announcement about this exciting change. Dr. Ed Sandor is Emeritus Professor of Music (trumpet, University of Georgia) and SOGO Trumpet Teaching Artist. He also serves as Secretary on the SOGO Board of Directors. In addition to Dr. Sandor, the SOGO Search Committee membership includes SOGO Board of Directors President John Fleckenstein, SOGO Teaching Artist Anne Edge (viola), SOGO parent and Washington Center for the Performing Arts Executive Director Jill Barnes; South Puget Sound Community College Orchestra Director Charles “Chip” Schooler, and local realtor and SOGO parent leader Jeanne Tranum.
SOGO is Community Supported
Sunday, March 4, 4:00p.m. Washington Center
Conservatory Orchestra John Welsh, Conductor Brahms, Concerto for Violin and Cello Respighi, Pines of Rome Brass Choir Greg Allison, Conductor Gabrieli, Canzon XII, Bach, Wachet Auf Joplin, Elite Syncopations also appearing: academy orchestra, debut orchestra
Featuring Northwest artists Carrie Rehkopf and John Michel performing the Brahms Concerto for Violin and Cello
Sponsor ~ Olympia Federal Savings
Tickets: $7-$16* | 360.753.8586 | washingtoncenter.org 6 and under free | *plus $3 center surcharge
2017-2018 SPONSORS Academy Mortgage Corporation, The Lacey Team Cabinets by Trivonna Capital Heating & Cooling National Endowment for the Arts Olympia Federal Savings Olympic Dermatology & Laser Clinic, P.S. PCS Structural Solutions R.L. Ray Violin Shop, LLC ThurstonTalk Tumwater Eye Center & VUE Washington State Arts Commission 2017-2018 ADVERTISERS Andrew J. Kapust, DDS, PS Coldwell Banker, Evergreen Olympic Realty David T. Stone Violins DBE, LLC Edward Case, MD Evergreen Brass Quintet Jocelyn McCabe Public Relations JT Painting Company Listen First Speech Therapy, LLC Northwest Center for Prosthodontics, Dr. Lawton Old School Pizzeria Olympia Consulting, LLC Perlot Orthodontics Salon Salon Sound Advantage Realty South Sound Women’s Center TAGS Awards & Specialties Tanasse Chiropractic Thrivant Financial, Scott White Vantage Physicians Washington Center for the Performing Arts WSECU EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS John Fleckenstein, President Doug Ford, Vice President Ed Sandor, Secretary Kristen Jaudon, Treasurer BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jennifer Case Lindsey Ford Jon Hanson Milt Harper Kari Hertter Ross Irwin
Nick Masters Scott Smith Rose This Jeanne Tranum Donna Wardin