Orchestrating Lifelong Participation in the Arts
1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia WA 98501 | 360-352-1438 | studentorchestras.org studentorchestras@gmail.com | facebook.com/studentorchestras | September 2020 Vol. XXI No. 2
SOGO Student Board "Makes Sure Our Fellow Musician’s Voices are Heard" SOGO has always put students first – it’s in the name! To help with this, SOGO has a student board with representatives from each orchestra. Executive student board members selected from the Conservatory Orchestra attend monthly board meetings and act as a liaison between the orchestras and the board of directors. “As board members, we make sure that our fellow musician’s voices are heard,” says SOGO violist Helen Hauschka.
Violist Helen Hauschka is a senior at Olympia High School. This is her second year on the executive student board.
"I have learned so much about being an effective board member for an organization!" says Jenny Jang, now in her third year on the board. "It has improved my ability to critically think of new ideas and solutions to obstacles and has bolstered my leadership skills." “SOGO is a lot more complicated than I first made it out to be," says Ryan. "I've been surprised at how many different parts there were to the budget. It's an excellent way to peer into the inner workings of the organization, so while you get fabulous musical experiences during rehearsals and concerts, you also receive business and presentation skills.”
Dr. Ashley Sandor Sidon
Two SOGO Conservatory Orchestra cellists and two from our Virtual Partner Orchestra, Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra (Yes! Tampa, Florida), will be playing and receiving comments and instruction from Dr. Sidon during the master class. The other master classes will follow a similar format.
“It’s been a joy to work with everyone,” says Helen. “Some people may think that the orchestra part of SOGO is where friendships grow, but growth and camaraderie blossoms on the board, too.”
Bassoonist Ryan Kapsandy is a junior at Olympia High School. This is his second year on the board.
"SOGO IS A WONDERFUL ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS STUDENTS IN THE ARTS AND IT IS A GREAT FEELING TO KNOW THAT WE ARE ABLE TO HELP MAKE DECISIONS THAT WILL FURTHER THIS CAUSE." ~ Jenny Jang LEAD • INSPIRE • PERFORM •
In addition to virtual rehearsals, SOGO is planning an exciting series of master classes for our student musicians. There will be two for strings, two for woodwinds, two for brass, and one for percussion.
One of the string master classes will be led by Dr. Ashley Sandor Sidon, cello professor from Drake University in Des Moines, IA.
Bassoonist Ryan Kapsandy agrees. “Since we have a foot in both worlds, we have an easier time clarifying anything the board says to the orchestras, while also being able to bring up any questions or comments the orchestras have to the board.” The students also gain leadership skills and learn about running a nonprofit.
Free Master Classes are Offered to SOGO Musicians and Local Students
Violinist Jenny Jang is a senior at Olympia High School. This is her third year on the board.
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Andrew Classen
“SOGO is a wonderful organization that supports students in the arts,” says Jenny, “and it is a great feeling to know that we are able to help make decisions that will further this cause.”
Other clinicians include Andrew Classen, Dr. Jeffrey Brooks, and Dr. Quinton Morris, Dr. Jeffrey Snedeker, and Dr. Aaron Wilson.
SOGO members interested in becoming student representatives should contact their conductor.
Dr. Brooks is Assistant Professor of Clarinet at the University of New Mexico. Previously he Continued on p. 2
Mr. Classen is Professor of Trumpet at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa where SOGO 2020 alumnus Jaymes Klein is now attending.
It's not too late to join SOGO! Visit studentorchestras.org for more information.
Visit studentorchestras.org to donate online.