Orchestrating Lifelong Participation in the Arts 1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia WA 98501 | 360-352-1438 | StudentOrchestras.org StudentOrchestras@gmail.com | Facebook.com/StudentOrchestras | May 2021 Vol. XXI No. 9
Behind the Camera: Creating Videos for Auditions by Cameron May, SOGO Music Director
SOGO Senior Albany’s Favorite SOGO Memory “When I was in Academy Orchestra we went to a few different schools and performed. That trip was nothing but fun. From laughing with my friends at lunch in the middle of McDonald’s, or on the bus, or playing get to know you games in the hallways of schools we played at, to a very specific memory of seeing a little girl, probably 6, sitting in the front row. Her eyes were full of excitement, she wasn't really sitting, she was leaning forward listening to every note. Seeing her light up when we played made me feel like I was proud to be a part of something that brings people of all ages as much joy as that young girl had. When she was leaving she tugged on her teachers skirt and said “I want to do that.” I didn't hear the teacher's response but I like to think she said “go for it.” Watch for the June newsletter to read more reflections from SOGO’s graduating seniors. Thank You to our 2020-2021 Sponsors and foundations
SOGO audition preparation videos on YouTube.
It will come as a surprise to no one reading this that the pandemic has required SOGO to rethink our entire model to continue to live out our mission when our “normal” activities were not possible. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used the phrase, “I never learned this in grad school” in the past year, and I know that most of my friends and colleagues across the country would say the same. Never in a million years did I imagine using a USB mic, a ring light, or a teleprompter in my job; yet, after this year, they are practically ubiquitous in a musician’s household! (Incidentally, I rather fear the day I must return to speaking onstage without a teleprompter – it’s definitely become a crutch!) One of the areas in which we had to try to find a new way to reach students this year is audition preparation. How could we provide both current and potential SOGO members with the expectations and resources they needed to prepare for an upcoming audition when our opportunities for interaction are so limited I’ve wasted a lot of time through the ups and downs of this year mindnumbingly allowing myself to be consumed by the sea of entertainment that is YouTube. An unhealthy habit in almost every way, it has nevertheless helped me become more familiar with the rising popularity of the “content creator” as a viable profession. I realized that most educators, particularly in the arts, have had to become makeshift content creators in the past year, and there are takeaways from this emerging industry that have helped us continue to reach students when the traditional avenues are not viable.
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Remote Learning: A SOGO Teaching Artist’s Perspective By Anne Edge, SOGO Teaching Artist
As the SOGO Viola Teaching Artist (TA), the terms “remote learning” vs. “in-person learning” were not part of my daily vocabulary prior to the pandemic. My job has always been to have a weekly check-in with the violists in each of the three orchestras, to play alongside them, and to keep track of concerns from both the conductors and students pertaining to the viola parts. Using Zoom for rehearsals gave SOGO TAs the opportunity to do real-time virtual sectionals. We could continue our work on technical points in the music and we addressed ensemble unity and style interpretation. The nature of (Continued on p2)
LEAD • INSPIRE • PERFORM •
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SO-GO Virtual Concert - Sunday, June 6, 4PM at StudentOrchestras.org.
SOGO viola sectional (2019).
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