October 2017 Vol. XVIII No. 1
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 Sundays at 4:00P.M. • November 5, March 5, May 20 • Washington Center Stepping Down from the Podium After 18 years with SOGO our illustrious Music Director and Conductor, Maestro John Welsh, is retiring his baton. For most of his 50-year career in conducting John worked with adult musicians, so SOGO was quite a change and one he has grown to love. The boundless energy these young people display and the opportunity to introduce them to the world of great orchestral literature became a passion for John. “I have constantly been amazed at the great amount of energy that suddenly appears on concert days!” he says. John has chosen pieces with personal meaning for the fall SOGO concert: Mozart’s Symphonie Concertante for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and Horn, which will feature SOGO alumni from as far back as 2008, and Tchaikovski’s Overture to Romeo and Juliet. Maestro Welsh celebrating with students after the May 2017 SOGO concert
“The Mozart wind Symphonie Concertante is included in three of my favorite Mozart pieces,” says John, “and the Romeo and Juliet Overture was on the reverse side of the LP of the Death and Transfiguration, which was on our May concert last season. I discovered that LP in my first year in undergraduate school at Miami University in 1962.”
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For those that aspire to a career in music, I hope that I have demanded enough of them. For those that don’t make music a career, I hope that they will be inspired to continue to pursue music as an avocation. And perhaps most of all I hope that they have discovered the beauty and drama intrinsic in this music.
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As he begins his final season, John reflects, “For those that aspire to a career in music, I hope that I have demanded enough of them. For those that don’t make music a career, I hope that they will be inspired to continue to pursue music as an avocation. And perhaps most of all I hope that they have discovered the beauty and drama intrinsic in this music.”
Please join us in the season opening concert Sunday, November 5, 4:00P.M. at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. The Conservatory Orchestra, along with the rest of SOGO’s 120 young musicians, have prepared a very spirited program for you to enjoy. Order tickets in advance at washingtoncenter.org to avoid the lines.
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Thank You for Helping Young Musicians Play in a Full Orchestra “I enjoy playing with the entire orchestra, including brass, winds, strings, and percussion,” says musician Ben Jaudon. “I love my school orchestra. But it’s cool to play in a group with more kinds of instruments.” Ben plays violin in SOGO’s Academy Orchestra. He says, “It's fun to get dressed up and perform at the Washington Center.” This season Ben is looking forward to “learning new music with my friends and expanding my knowledge of different types of classical music. I know we're just kids, but it sounds almost professional.” Ben gets inspiration from listening to the other SOGO groups. “Wow, that could be ME in a few years!” Listen to Ben and the rest of the Academy Orchestra perform Suppé’s Poet and Peasant Overture and R.W. Smith’s By Loch and Mountain at the November 5 SOGO concert in the Washington Center.
Help Us Find A New Music Director
SOGO is seeking applicants for a Music Director and Principal Conductor to direct the growth of the Conservatory Orchestra, SOGO’s top ensemble, effective Summer 2018. If you know a conductor who would appreciate what our community offers - a vibrant arts community, strong schools with fine music programs, the beautiful outdoors, and of course SOGO’s programs and supportive donor base - encourage them look at our website and apply. Requirements include exceptional musicianship and conducting skills, successful experience working with youth musicians from age 12 and up, confidence and patience to motivate and inspire young musicians, and strong communication and leadership skills. Application details are on studentorchestras.org. All applicants must complete the online application form by 5:00 P.M. on Wednesday, November 15th, 2017. 1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia WA 98501
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Locally Owned Partnering Debut Orchestra on stage at the Washington Center Decipher Debut with Conductor Travis Sipher
Purchase these high quality, locally sourced items and support your youth symphony. Get all your holiday shopping done with SOGO!
“The level of enthusiasm from this age group is amazing,” proclaims Debut Orchestra conductor Travis Sipher. Travis joined SOGO last season and works carefully with his co-conductor, Jennifer Marin, to program music for each season. “The first thing I look for is what sounds fun and exciting to me. If I can get excited for a piece, that usually translates to more enthusiasm from the students.” The next step is to narrow things down. “Ms. Marin and I look at the technical demands of the piece and how they line up with the abilities of our students. A lot of pieces get weeded out in this step as they might be too challenging or not challenging enough. With what’s left, we then try to group them together in a complementary fashion to form the individual programs.”
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It is a joy for me to help and watch them make so many great musical discoveries.
Items may be purchased online at studentorchestras.org in the Donate section or by returning the enclosed order form. Orders taken until November 12, with pick-up at the Allison home 4-6 P.M. on Thursday, November 30, 2017.
Having two conductors for Debut allows string and wind players to spend some of their rehearsal time separately, which works particularly well for younger musicians. “There’s so much that is still new to them on their instruments. It is a joy for me to help and watch them make so many great musical discoveries,”says Travis. “That and they appreciate a little bit of silliness now and then!” Listen to the Debut Orchestra perform these three excellent selections on Sunday, November 5 at 4:00P.M. at the Washington Center: Schubert’s Rosamunde Overture, Mussorgsky’s Great Gate of Kiev and Hopak, and RimskyKorsakov’s Dance of the Tumblers.
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Silent Auction
Visit the silent auction table at the November 5 concert. Items will be in the lobby before the concert begins and at intermission. You don’t want to miss out on fabulous handmade holiday items and baskets generously donated by SOGO families and community members. Baskets available for bidding include: ~ “Date Night” $50 Gift Card for Budd Bay restaurant and a voucher for a pair of tickets to a Washington Center event. ~ HO HO Basket with a HO HO Family Pass and other holiday items ~ Handmade Fall Harvest with beautiful autumnal table decor ~ Holiday Coffee Lovers Basket ~ Handmade musical wreath
Raffle tickets for this gorgeous handmade quilt are $5 and will be sold at the November concert. The drawing will take place in May 2018. Winner need not be present to win.
SOGO SIDE BY SIDE Come play along with friends sight-reading concert music. Bring your instrument and music stand. Parents are invited to attend. Where: 919 Division St NW, Olympia (Back side of Jefferson M.S.) When: Sunday, November 12, 3:00—4:45 p.m. Debut and Academy Orchestras (elementary through early high school). Parents informational meeting at 4:30 p.m.
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Season Concerts Sundays, 4p.m. • November 5, March 4, May 20 • Tickets *7-16 • Order at 360.753.8586 or washingtoncenter.org HO HO Brass Choir Holiday Show • Sat. December 9, 2p.m. • Tickets $5 Students, $10 Adults, $25 Family • Order at studentorchestras.org under Donate
Messiah Sing-Along • Monday, December 18, 7p.m. • Free Admission • *6 and under free • *plus $3 Center surcharge
There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays at the SOGO HO HO Brass Choir Holiday Show
Businesses With
Saturday, December 9, 2:00PM
Star Lake Nursery provides SOGO with beautiful floral quality poinsettias in a variety of colors and sizes for purchase.
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Olympia Tickets: $5 Students, $10 Adults, Seniors, $25 Family Purchase tickets online at studentorchestras.org in the Donate section to avoid the line at the door.
Fragrant 22-inch noble fir wreaths are made by Sherwood Farms right here in Olympia and make a perfect gift to yourself and friends! Olympic Crest Coffee Roasters produces a special 12oz Christmas Blend for SOGO.
Sponsors Academy Mortgage Corporation, The Lacey Team Tumwater Eye Center & VUE
True cocoa lovers will enjoy Ghirardelli Premium Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa (10.5oz – 9 servings).
SOGO is Community Supported
MESSIAH SING-ALONG
“ The Trumpet Shall Sound ” Let the sounds of Handel’s Messiah transport you at the Messiah Sing-Along.
Monday, December 18, 7:00P.M.
Washington Center for the Performing Arts FREE Admission Sponsor R. L. Ray Violin Shop, LLC Hosted by Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia Washington Center
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 Perlot Orthodontics Salon Salon Sound Advantage Realty South Sound Women’s Center Tanasse Chiropractic Thrivant Financial, Scott White 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
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.