Providing a challenging, fully integrated music experience for the young musician because of support from people like you. March 2015 Vol. XV No. 4
In the Hot Seat with Maura
Vixen Plays with Hearts
“Loud, emotional, and fun!” laughs Maestro John Welsh as he describes SOGO cellist Maura Phelps will perform Boccherini's Concerto for the overture to Richard Wagner's opera Rienzi, the piece with which the Cello No. 4 at the SOGO concert on March 1. Maura took time out from her preparations to talk about her experience. Conservatory Orchestra will begin their performance on March 1. When did you first pick up the cello? SOGO was my beginning for music. I started playing the cello when I was seven years old and I started SOGO that same year. I didn't have a school orchestra like many other kids, so the weekly rehearsals were my only opportunity to play in a group until I was a freshman at Timberline.
Rienzi is loosely based on the life of Cola di Rienzi, who led a shortlived people’s revolt in 14th-century Rome. The overture begins with a trumpet call to arms, moves on to a melody representing Rienzi’s prayer, and ends with a military march. Conservatory trumpets rehearsing 'Rienzi'
Violist Erica Anderson is enjoying preparing Rienzi. 'It’s something to sink your teeth into. There’s always something going on in that piece – something crazy somewhere!'
Rienzi is something to sink your teeth into, playing wise. There's always something going on in that piece - something crazy somewhere!
Next the Conservatory Orchestra will perform Luigi Boccherini’s Cello Concerto No. 4, featuring Maura Phelps (see In the Hot Seat with Maura, right). ''Boccherini was a cellist and decided that he needed to write for himself,' explains Welsh. 'Sort of like Mozart, who wrote piano concerti for himself to play.' 'Maura is a very accomplished cellist and it has been a joy watching her develop over the years,' Welsh continues. 'She has been such a loyal member of SOGO and I am so happy that she is planning on studying music as she begins her college experience.'
Media on the Mezz ii: Return of the Hashtag Media on the Mezz is a great way to interact with the orchestra during the concert or to share the concert with far away friends and family.
When you're 3300 miles away a small [video] segment like this really lifts your spirits. Thank you. ~SOGO relative
Perhaps most familiar to audiences will be selections from Georges Bizet's Carmen, the most performed opera in the world. Carmen is a vixen who toys with the heart of Don José. According to Bizet biographer Winton Dean, 'The music characterizes Don José’s gradual decline … from honest soldier to deserter, vagabond and finally murderer.' Please join us on March 1, 4 p.m. at the Washington Center. You will be humming Carmen’s Habanera and Toreador Song for weeks!
How is performing a solo different from playing as part of the orchestra? Playing in an orchestra requires a whole different focus than in a solo. In an orchestra you must blend, listen, and sacrifice your own spotlight to benefit the rest of the group. But playing a solo puts you in the hot seat. Not only is projection [of sound] a whole new challenge but maintaining the phrasing of the piece despite what is going on behind you is difficult. (Cont'd on p.2)
Customize Your Experience for the March 1 Concert: • Purchase tickets in the Mezzanine section on Olytix.org. • Have a Facebook account to see video feed and photos. • Have a Twitter app set up. (Requires a free Twitter account). • On Twitter, follow @SOGO_OLY and set notifications to ON.
Concert Night: • Silence your phone as a courtesy for audience members and performers. • You will receive updates visually through the Twitter and Facebook apps. • Click on Hashtag #SOGONOTES to follow the conversation.
Celestine Galli-Marié as Carmen, by Henri Lucien Doucet
The MEDIA ON THE MEZZ is a grant from the WA State Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts and is part of a pilot project of the Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia.
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