MUSIC
Passing the baton: By Ben Olson Reader Staff
Some of the best musical compositions end right where they started — full circle. Such is the case with the Festival at Sandpoint Youth Orchestra. For the past nine years, orchestra director Beth Weber has awoken early to conduct orchestra practice at 6:30 a.m. This year, Weber announced she was passing the baton to a new director, Sandpoint native and music teacher Karen Dignan. When the program began, Weber said she initially took the position with the intent that Dignan would take over her spot. “At the end of last year, I asked Karen if she wanted to take over,” said Weber. “I live out of town and have to get up really early. I decided I needed to stop doing it. I was having to take naps in the middle of the afternoon.” Dignan is not a new face to the Youth Orchestra; she was actually an integral part of helping the program get off the ground.
Dignan said nine years ago, she received an invitation from the Festival at Sandpoint to music teachers to develop an orchestra that incorporates strings. “We had a strong history of music in Sandpoint, but no ensembles, no programs in schools to cover strings,” said Dignan. While smaller instruments like violins and violas were more easily obtained, the larger stringed instruments such as cellos presented a challenge. “Cellos were a big deal,” said Dignan. “They did not exist in Sandpoint. There was no place to play, no teacher to teach them. The instruments were out of peoples’ price range. This program has brought the cello into Sanpdoint.” The Festival at Sandpoint, through a series of donors, obtained funding to buy 10 cellos so students in the Youth Orchestra could rent them cheaply. Dignan said that the Festival at Sandpoint graciously covers the costs involved with this program, which include conductor’s fees and
Beth Weber is handing over her duties for the The Festival at Sandpoint Community Orchestra
sheet music costs “In Coeur d’ Alene, their youth orchestras cost upwards of $350,” said Dignan. “In Spokane, they’re even more at $550 to $600. The Festival is able to cover that and provide that for students in Sandpoint for free – which is an amazing gift.” For Weber, some of her favorite memories over the past nine years directing the orchestra have been watching students who had never played music before climb the rungs of the orchestral ladder. “Once they get to a certain level, maybe they can go to the Spokane Youth Symphony, which has four levels,” said Weber. “I think of the Youth Orchestra as a springboard for more music.” One of Weber’s past students, Rachel O’Conner, went on to play with the Spokane Symphony, ended up majoring in music therapy and ultimately won the Festival at Sandpoint’s youth music scholarship. Another fun memory was when Sandpoint High School choir teacher Jon Brownell asked
Beth Weber “passes the baton” to new orchestra director Karen Dignan. Photo by Ben Olson. Weber if she had any students that could play with the choir. “He had written music especially for it,” said Weber. “We had to have 10 extra rehearsals. The kids wanted to do it. That was really fun.” Dignan’s aim when she takes over as director is to continue the work that Weber has done. “Every year, the musicianship and skill improves,” she said. “I’ve been watching this. My kids have been in it. This year, I want to find
a way to make people more aware of the orchestra. It’s like this little hidden gem. I’m proud of it, I’m proud of my kids. I’m excited.” For Weber, who plays violin with the Coeur d’Alene Symphony and teaches private lessons, her goals are simple: “I’ll be able to sleep in!” For anyone interested in joining the Festival at Sandpoint Youth Orchestra should contact Dignan at Sandpointfiddle@gmail. com or call (208)597-6717.
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/ August 31, 2017