STUDENT ORCHESTRAS OF GREATER OLYMPIA ORCHESTRATING LIFELONG PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTS September 2021 Vol. 22 No. 1
Dear SOGO community, What a year it has been! This time last year, the news was more than a little dire, and though we are by no means yet out of the woods, the landscape looks very different now than it did then. Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia is pleased to announce the return of inperson music making this fall. Our rehearsals will look different than they have in the past, and we are still waiting to see what performances will look like, but it is not an overstatement to share that we are giddy at the prospect of making music with our students in the same room again! It is in this vein that we have decided to title our 20212022 season “Celebrate”. We will have A LOT to celebrate together over the course of the next year, and while I don’t want to spoil any surprises, I can promise that you won’t want to miss out! In response to the continued presence of COVID-19 in our community, we will be taking appropriate precautions to minimize risk. All our students will be required to wear masks, use bell covers (where applicable), and remain physically distanced during rehearsals and sectionals. Staff working in-person with students will be vaccinated and masked, and we encourage all eligible students to get vaccinated as well. We understand that the music-making environment will look different than it used to, but we believe our model beginning this fall is appropriate in the current climate. Above all else, we are confident that the SOGO experience you have come to know and love will continue in our 22nd season, namely: • great musical moments • terrific literature • marvelous coaching from our fine teaching artists • lively, engaging, and memorable rehearsals and performances • a healthy, encouraging, and motivating musical community As always, we are grateful to you for supporting us and being with us every step of our journey. We are excited for what this new season holds, and we can’t wait to share these experiences with all of you. Take care, and we’ll see you soon! Sincerely, Cameron May, SOGO Music Director Photo caption: 2020-21 Conservatory Orchestra members will recall my passion for trains. I rode the rails through much of the western US with stops in Chicago, Santa Fe, and LA at the end of July. I set up shop in Amtrak’s signature Sightseer Lounge and poured over scores while the countryside raced by out the window.
Needs:
If you have a wire music stand just sitting in a closet unused, donate it to SOGO.
Check out Mr. May sharing his letter with you on YouTube.
STUDENT ORCHESTRAS OF GREATER OLYMPIA
For our SOGO 2 Schools program, we are looking for band and orchestra instruments in good working condition. We would love to give them new life in the hands of a young musician.
LEAD • INSPIRE • PERFORM •
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Saturday Oct. 2 Olympia Arts Walk
CONDUCT US! SOGO and Olympia Symphony Orchestra team up. Come and conduct the symphony! More information online.
Visit StudentOrchestras.org