SOGO - March 2013 Newsletter

SOGO

Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia 1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia WA 98501 March 2013

r at View in full colos.org! studentorchestra From

Vol. 13 no. 4

the Podium

Issue

2 Soloist Spotlight 3 Creative Viral Videos 3 Audition Tips

Concert

Sunday, March 24, 4pm Tickets (WCPA) olytix.org | 360.753.8586 Get your tickets today!

Reminders

March 31, April 7 - No Rehearsal April 27 - Instrument Petting Zoo May 19 - Final Concert May 22, 26 - Auditions June 2 - New Member Auditions March 24 Dress Rehearsal Schedule: • Brass Choir load-in 11:00 am • Brass Choir 11:20 - 11:55 am • Debut 12:00 - 12:45 pm • Academy 12:50 - 1:35 pm • Conservatory 1:40 - 3:00 pm • CONCERT CALL TIME 3:30 pm

I am delighted to invite you to an afternoon of dramatic music this Sunday, March 24 at 4:00 pm at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. The Conservatory Orchestra’s first piece, Light Cavalry, an operetta by Franz von Suppé, is loaded with plot twists and melodrama. Paul Hindemith’s Trauermusik (Mourning Music) is a heartfelt elegy written upon the death of England’s King George V in 1936. We will finish with Ludwig van Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, one of the most recognizable pieces in classical music.

Light Cavalry, set in a little town on the Austro-Hungarian border, has all the melodrama of a modern soap opera. Wilma, a beautiful orphan, has been taken in by the mayor and his wife, but treated as a lowly servant. When a group of Hussars (Hungarian cavalrymen) come to protect the town, Wilma is discovered to be the long-lost daughter of the Colonel, who proceeds to settle the score for her maltreatment.

Listeners will have no problem recognizing the famous galloping brass theme, but may have trouble keeping their toes from tapping in rhythm with the crashing finale.

Hindemith wrote Trauermusik in a mere six hours for a performance by the BBC Symphony. He had been engaged to perform as viola soloist for a BBC concert, but that was cancelled at the King’s passing.

The conductor asked Hindemith to write the work as they could find nothing appropriate for the memorial broadcast. The work is comprised of four very short movements, the last being a harmonization with obbligato viola of the Chorale “Here I Stand Before Thy Throne” featuring our amazing violist, Mallory Halbert. Hindemith was unaware at the time, but the tune was very familiar in England as the hymn “Old 100th,” to the words “All Creatures That on Earth do Dwell.” Sad and solemn in character, Trauermusik immediately entered the repertoire of violists, as well as cellists and violinists.

As a product of Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s Concert, I remember well his examination of Beethoven’s method of composition. Many versions of the music exist in manuscripts and Bernstein played different examples of them to show that Beethoven wrote, tried and crossed out many notes in the process. Even though this symphony is so often heard, this is a work for the mature musician. It will challenge the members of the orchestra, but they are relishing in that challenge and the opportunity to perform this piece.

One final thought – I would like to challenge all of the members of the Debut and Academy Orchestras and their parents to listen to the Conservatory performance. It is important for the younger musicians to hear the music and experience what they are striving for as they mature as musicians.

View newsletter in color at studentorchestras.org! | studentorchestras@gmail.com | Facebook

Soloist Spotlight Mallory Halbert

Charlie Taft Charlie, a senior at Timberline High School, has been playing trombone in SOGO for 5 years. He auditioned and in his first year was accepted into the Academy Orchestra. He then moved up to the Brass Choir and was part of the 2010 trip to Italy. He is currently the principal player in Conservatory Orchestra. This is Charlie’s first solo appearance with the Brass Choir in the March concert.

Mallory has been active with SOGO for seven years. Not wishing to follow in her sister’s footsteps, she switched from violin to viola six years ago and began taking private lessons with Anne Edge, SOGO viola teaching artist, with whom she shares a love of viola and lattes. Mallory has earned superior ratings as a soloist at Solo and Ensemble contest the past three years and has auditioned into All-State and All-Northwest Orchestras the past three years. She has played chamber music for countless weddings and other celebrations through SOGO MOJO, school and community groups.

Under the direction of Grant Sears, Mallory has earned Music Departmental honors, served as viola section leader and embraced the challenge of acting as assistant conductor of the North Thurston High School orchestra. She has served as the orchestra representative in Tri-M, the music honor society, where she successfully lobbied to change the rule barring freshmen membership.

The Bluebells of Scotland, arranged for trombone, is based on a traditional folk tune. The beginning shows off the expressive potential of the trombone, but ends with what is described

by Greg Allison, Brass Choir conductor, as “trombone pyrotechnics.”

Charlie’s hard work as a musician has rewarded him with superior ratings in Solo and Ensemble contest, participation in the All-State and All-Northwest groups, and scholarship opportunities for college. He has been a student of Stephen Fissell of the Seattle Symphony and is looking forward to his college career coming up in the fall.

Mallory has also been active in her school’s drama program, singing the role of Ursula in “The Little Mermaid” and the wardrobe/opera singer in “Beauty and the Beast”, among others. Her hard work from many summers n student musicia their at theatre camp paid off when she was f o d n ki e th is “Mallory to have in hired as an intern last summer. Mallory nductor wishes hardworking co y er ev t a th l, plans to begin college next year, taking her thoughtfu orchestra. She isr life and learning.” viola and her voice along for the journey.

Welcome New Horizons

and has a zest fo rtistic Director ~ Greg Allison, A

We are happy to welcome the Olympia New Horizons String Orchestra along with wind players from the Olympia New Horizons Band. They will perform with our Debut Orchestra at our concert on March 24. Led by SOGO’s own Lantz Berets, the Olympia New Horizons Orchestra was formed in 2010 as an outlet for adults who are interested in making music in a group setting, but might not have the skills.

Despite the fact that some members had never played before or had left their instruments behind years ago, New Horizons started with the basics and has since tackled works such as The Blue Danube Waltz, by “This is what Johann Strauss, Jr, thuses Berets. I love about music,” en“B and Andante from of all ages to mringing together people ake music toge ther!”

“Surprise” Symphony in G, by Franz Josef Haydn.

How’s that for value!

For the cost of your SOGO tuition, you profit from more than 65 hours of quality music instruction: • Playing quality music literature • Rehearsing in sectionals with outstanding teaching artists • Music theory, music history, and composition lessons • Performing in chamber ensembles • Performing in a professional concert hall • Building camaraderie with top-notch student musicians What else could you get for about the same price?

• One afternoon at a Broadway play - Four tickets to Wicked start at $565 • One day at Disneyland - Four 1-day Disneyland Park Hopper tickets run $600 • One afternoon at a football game - Four Seattle Seahawks tickets start at $240

DONATE to SOGO online at studentorchestras.org.

2

T A E GR !

JOB

CONGRATS to the All-Northwest, All-State and Jr. All-State participants. They spent February 14-18 rehearsing with musicians from around the state and northwest region. The weekend culminated in honor group performances attended by music educators, family, and friends. All these students have worked hard and auditioned in the fall for this honor.

Audition time is almost here!

Executive Student Board members help you make the most of your SOGO audition this spring Whether you are still new to auditions or they are old hat, thoughtful preparation will pay dividends. Remember that your audition will include three parts: the performance of a solo or etude of your choice, a sight reading test, and a written theory test.

•First, ask your private instructor or classroom teacher for help choosing your audition material.

Keep in mind that it is better to play an easier piece well than to play a difficult piece unsuccessfully.

•In addition, add sight reading to your regular practice routine. Online programs such as sightreadingfactory.com generate music specifically for sight reading practice.

•Don’t forget to review the theory test and audition video at studentorchestras.org.

Keadrin Dick advises going in with an open mind. “Your main goal is to have fun and show your love for music! When playing in the audition, keep playing even if you mess up, and don’t be afraid to improvise if you need to get back on track in your piece.”

Common sense test prep recommendations such as being well rested and eating a good breakfast also apply. Nolan Welch suggests musicians, “eat a banana before the audition because potassium loosens and relaxes the muscles.”

Instrument Petting Zoo Olympia Arts Walk Saturday, April 27th, 2013 2:00-4:00 pm, WCPA Free Event Kids of all ages are invited to attend this wild and ferocious Instrument Petting Zoo! SOGO members will be performing in ensembles during the event. We are also inviting members and their parents to help out. There will be a 1 hour set-up time - balloons need to be blown and decorations put up. From 2-4pm musicians are needed to demonstrate instruments and parents to help crowd control.

Summer Music Programs

St. Martin’s Summer Music Program, 5-8th grade St. Martin’s University, Lacey, WA 360.352.1438 (SOGO Office) or www.stmartin.edu Evergreen Music Festival Tacoma Youth Symphony Association www.tysamusic.org/EMF.htm Icicle Creek Summer Symphony Leavenworth, WA 98826 www.icicle.org Marrowstone Music Festival Seattle Youth Symphony Association Bellingham, WA www.marrowstone.syso.org Max Aronoff Viola Institute Summer Festival Tacoma, WA (253) 474-6922

“Basically,” Keadrin recommends, “just be yourself and go for it!”

Dazzling you at intermission will be a performance by Play On Greater Olympia (POGO)!

POGO provides an intensive music-rich educational experience for at-risk students in Ella Bushnell, Student Board, shares some creative Youtube videos Olympia. POGO musicians that will make you think about music in a fresh new way... picked up their instruments for the first time only six The Piano Guys play The Landfill Harmonic - An Flashmob of Bolero by Ravel weeks ago, but you will be What Makes You Beautiful orchestra made from trash in Copenhagen Central Station amazed at their progress!

Concert Dress: Please check your member handbook to make sure you’re wearing the appropriate dress clothes for the concert.

Dress Rehearsal: Enter only through the back stage door (alley).

Parents may listen to dress rehearsal in the designated seating area.

View newsletter in color at studentorchestras.org! | studentorchestras@gmail.com | Facebook

3

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID OLYMPIA, WA PERMIT NO. 358

STUDENT ORCHESTRAS OF GREATER OLYMPIA

1629 22ND AVE SE | OLYMPIA WA 98501 www.studentorchestras.org

SOGO 2012-2013 Season Sponsors

Olympic Dermatology & Laser Clinic Tumwater Eye Clinic & VUE Olympia Federal Savings R.L. Ray Violin Shop RadiantCare Salon Salon Sunrise Dental

EXECUTIVE BOARD Colleen Welch, President Jilyna Dick, Vice President Peter Despot, Secretary John Fleckenstein, Treasurer BOARD Joyce Allen Joan Armstrong Brad Carlson Alison Coppock Doug Ford Ginny Nordhorn Dana Phelps Amy Schutte Jennifer Taft Kirk Veis

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

arch concert!

Join us for our M Light Cavalry Overture ola ĂŠ, ry Halbert on vi * Franz von Supp Trauermusik, featuring Mallo or, Op. 67 in h, * Paul Hindemit hoven, Symphony No. 5 in C m et * Ludwig van Be

STUDENT BOARD Ella Bushnell, violin Keadrin Dick, cello Maggie Taft, clarinet Nolan Welch, cello MUSIC DIRECTOR John Welsh ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Greg Allison ADMINISTRATIVE Krina Allison, Executive Dir. Ginny Nordhorn, Ex. Assist.

Pat Kabler, Finance Dir. Mary Jo Rydholm, Lib. Doug Ford, Photos/Summit

View newsletter in color at studentorchestras.org! | studentorchestras@gmail.com | Facebook