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fter thirteen years and two moves, SOGO is soon to be moving again, but where? SOGO will be without rehearsal space on Sunday afternoons beginning in September. We are asking for your help. In the early days of SOGO, we rehearsed in schools, but the growing cost of facility rental forced us to look elsewhere. In 2008 we formed a wonderful relationship with the First Christian Church in downtown Olympia. It was a perfect fit for SOGO, and a boost in usage for the church’s historic building. However, due to First Christian’s recent program expansions, we have been informed that they are no longer able to accommodate SOGO’s rehearsal needs. I have been involved with SOGO since its beginning, says Colleen Welch. As board president, and more importantly as a parent, I see the value that SOGO brings to our community. As culturally rich as Olympia is, I’m sure there must be a space...a place where SOGO can continue making beautiful music!
Our Unique Needs • SOGO rehearses for about 28 Sunday afternoons, 2-7:30 p.m. from September to May. • Two large rehearsal spaces with enough room for an orchestra of 50 – 80 young musicians. • Twelve small rooms to rehearse 4-12 students each. • Tuition fees and board fundraising cover the program costs, including rehearsal venue rental. SOGO has become a community treasure, says Greg Allison, Artistic Director. We find ourselves with a great need and we are asking that same community for help.
If you know of an available rehearsal space, please contact us at 360.352.1438 or studentorchestras@gmail.com.
Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia 1629 22nd Ave SE Olympia WA 98501
Czech In With Maestro Welsh
Recently I was asked, What are your goals for our musicians? Of course, I want them to sound good. But more than that, I want them to understand why we perform this music. I want them to understand its immense benefits to them in a practical (Cont’d on p.2)
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DRESS REHEARSAL
MEET & GREET PARENTING YOUR MUSICIAN
Parents, please join us for tea, coffee, and cookies at our Meet & Greet. Artistic Director Greg Allison will speak about parenting your musician - everything from getting them to practice to the importance of a classical music education.
Sunday, May 18
DEBUT 12:00-12:30 p.m.
ACADEMY 12:50-1:20 p.m.
Washington Center Green Room When my oldest son was in SOGO, he wanted to quit because he just wanted to do Jazz Band. I knew there was a good reason why he needed to stay in SOGO, musically, but, at the time, I couldn’t articulate it. I talked to Greg, and he told me why Kyle should stay in SOGO, and not just do Jazz Band. When I told Kyle what Greg had said, he never again asked to quit. ~ Colleen Welch p
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May 2014| Vol. XIV No. 5
is on the MOVE!
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Sponsors Instrumental to SOGO’s Musical Growth
Last spring, several sponsors made generous contributions to SOGO. With this funding, we were able to create a new opportunity for our musicians: a chamber music camp. Playing in a small ensemble is quite different from our regular orchestra work. Benefits to our members include: • Experience performing in ensembles of 3-13 musicians • 16 hours of rehearsal time with conductors and teaching artists. Rehearsals were intense and required thorough preparation and focus. • Improved musical cooperation and interdependence The experience has been a great success, with benefits paying off well beyond the life of the camp itself. Chamber music camp will now be a regular part of our program.
This endeavor would not have been possible without our sponsors. In return, we will be recognizing them as honorary sponsors of our May concert. Help us thank them with your patronage and your hearty applause. These businesses have helped us move to the next level as an artistic organization and have improved the artistic climate in our community. If you are a local business owner, please consider the benefits of becoming a sponsor.
SUNRISE DENTAL
Dr. Andrew Kapust, DDS
www.sunrisedental.com
Czech In with Maestro Welsh,
cont’d and cultural way. I want them to understand what the music represents. And I want them to share the passion I have for this music. All of this influences the music I choose for our concerts.
The Power of Fate
I like to begin with an overture because it gives our musicians a chance to play the thematic highlights of an opera. For our May 18 concert, we will perform the overture to La Forza del Destino (The Force of Destiny) by Giuseppe Verdi. This truly is a story about the power of fate. Alvaro attempts to whisk away his beloved Leonora in the night but he is interrupted by Leonora’s father. Alvaro’s gun accidentally goes off, killing her father. Leonora’s brother, Carlo, vows revenge for his father’s death. This is an exciting and dramatic piece that I think you will enjoy.
Brutal Where It Needs to Be Brutal
Ma Vlast (My Country) by Bedřich Smetana is, by its very nature, one of my favorite pieces of music. Ma Vlast portrays scenes and myths that are important to the Czech people. It is energetic and beautiful. It can be brutal where it needs to be brutal. We will conclude our concert with three movements from this incredible cycle of six symphonic poems.
Vyšehrad Castle Photo: Stanislav Jelen
High Castle Vyšehrad, the first movement, represents the high castle in Prague, which sits on a hill looking over the city. This beautiful piece begins and ends with a delicate harp solo.
Feel the River Roll The second movement, Vlatva, is written from the perspective of someone floating down the Vlatva river. Listen for the musical representations: a forest hunt, the rapids, and a peasant wedding. When you listen to Vlatva you should feel the river roll.
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Practice, Practice, Practice SOGO Musician to Play at Carnegie Hall
SOGO’s own Ann Li (violin, Academy Orchestra) will perform at Carnegie Hall this summer as a member of the 2014 Middle School Honors Performance Series. Ann will join a group of accomplished musicians from across the US and Canada. I’m excited to perform with kids all over North America in such a beautiful place. Also, I’m looking forward to seeing New York City! ~ Ann Li Applicants were required to submit recorded auditions and a teacher recommendation in order to be considered for this honor.
The Maidens’ War Our final movement is Šárka, based on the dark legend of the Maidens’ War. Šárka is a beautiful Amazon who lures her enemy, Ctirad, by tying herself to a tree. When Ctirad unties Šárka, she and her warrior sisters feed Ctirad and his army. The men have been tricked: the meal is drugged. They fall asleep and are slaughtered Ctirad and Šárka by Josef Václav Myslbek by the Amazons. Ma Vlast not only provides scenic representations, but also embodies some of the rich legends for which the Czech area is famous. I love Czech music and am eager to share Ma Vlast with you.
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Senior Stats
Congratulations to our graduating seniors! Your dedication and musicianship will be missed. Tabitha Parsons Oboe | Lisa Chong Violin | Capital Samuel Kim Violin | Capital HS | joined sogo HS | joined sogo 2009 | Capital HS | joined sogo 2012 | future plans Everfuture plans Oregon State 2005 | future plans Univ. green College, major Art University, major Environof Washington | advice favorite piece ‘Pavanne,’ it was so mental Engineering as an Practice scales. Knowing my scales sweet and melodic. Army ROTC cadet | favorite memory would have helped so much with the mulMr. Welsh knocking over countless music stands titudes of runs in the SOGO music. with his powerful conducting. Keadrin Dick Cello | North Thurston HS | Erica Anderson Viola Grant Stidham Trombone joined sogo 2007 | future | North Thurston HS | | Capital HS | joined sogo plans Oberlin College and joined sogo 2009 2007 Conservatory or WSU Shannon Wolfe Clarinet | Capital HS | joined sogo 2013 Christine Sears Cello | North Thurston HS | joined sogo 2011| future plans WSU or UPS, major Music | favorite memories First, always going to Starbucks with the cello section after dress rehearsal on concert days. Second, getting to play the SaintSaëns concerto.
Mark Your Calendar Auditions • May 25; June 1, 16 • Online scheduling • $30 audition fee, non-refundable; $40 for auditions after June 16 Music Pick-Up ~ 8/24, 4-8 p.m. Conservatory Ensemble Camp August 25-26 Tuition • $350 Acad. & Debut, $400 Conservatory • Tuition is due at the time of music pick-up.* • Tuitions paid by August 15 receive a free ticket voucher.* * Please note that these tuition dates are different from past years.
Sarah Smith Violin | Olympia HS | joined sogo 2010 Ella Bushnell Violin | Olympia HS | joined sogo 2006 Daniel Swan Viola | Olympia HS | joined sogo 2007
2014-2015 Concert Schedule Season Concerts Sunday, November 2 Sunday, March 1 Sunday, May 17 Ho Ho Brass Choir Saturday, December 13 Messiah Monday, December 22 Arts Walk Saturday, April 25
Ha-Yoon Lee Flute | Black Hills H.S. | joined sogo 2009 | future plans Univ. of Washington, major PreHealth Science Mary Armstrong Flute | Pope John Paul II HS | joined sogo 2006 |future plans Gonzaga University, major Elem. Ed. | advice Enjoy the experience of making beautiful music with others.
Dress Rehearsal Schedule
à Brass Choir load-in - 11:00 a.m. à Brass Choir 11:20 - 11:55 a.m. à Debut 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. à Academy 12:50 - 1:35 p.m. à Conservatory 1:40 - 3:10 p.m. à CONCERT CALL TIME 3:30 p.m.
Concert
Sunday, May 18, 4 p.m. Washington Center olytix.org | 360.753.8586
Get your tickets today!
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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
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Season Concert May 18, 4 p.m. Washington Center for the Performing Arts Tickets: Olytix.org | 360.753.8586
How have these generous sponsors helped our members take a big step in their musical growth?
Find out inside!
SUNRISE DENTAL www.sunrisedental.com
Sunday, May 18, 4:00 p.m. Washington Center TICKETS: $6-$15* | 360.753.8586 | Olytix.org 6 and under free | *plus $3 Center surcharge
Photos: Doug Ford
Dr. Andrew Kapust, DDS
Funding also provided by