SOGO January 2021 Newsletter

Orchestrating Lifelong Participation in the Arts

1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia WA 98501 | 360-352-1438 | StudentOrchestras.org StudentOrchestras@gmail.com | facebook.com/studentorchestras | January 2021 Vol. XXI No. 6

SOGO Working on Diversity Equity and Inclusion Issues

by Cameron May, SOGO Music Director 2020 was a year like no other. It exposed societal undercurrents and reminded us all that the lived experiences of people around us are very different from our own.

The SOGO staff and board of directors have spent the past several months wrestling with the unfortunate reality in the music industry that throughout our history, orchestral performances and educational curricula have traditionally highlighted a narrow scope of voices, and composers and performers from diverse backgrounds have too often been excluded from both stage and classroom. (Continued on p2)

Meet Parfait Bassalé

Parfait Bassalé has been helping SOGO navigate diversity, equity, and inclusion issues.

Parfait earned a Masters of Arts from Portland State University in Conflict Resolution.

Additionally, Photo and Bio Source: Parfait has years www.parfaitbassale.com of experience leading and consulting with both private and public sectors, on matters of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

He is currently the director of DEI at South Puget Sound Community College and the cochair of the Institution wide DEI committee.

LEAD • INSPIRE • PERFORM •

}

Midori is Coming to Olympia – Virtually!

SOGO HONORED TO HOST MIDORI’S ORCHESTRA RESIDENCIES PROGRAM - JANUARY 21 - FEBRUARY 4

As a leading concert violinist for over 35 years, Midori and her Orchestra Residencies Program is coming to SOGO! Midori is offering multiple workshop opportunities to support SOGO’s members. It is Midori’s hope that these live online experiences will help keep young SOGO musicians engaged, motivated, and excited.

Topics covered will include How to Practice, Aural Heritage, Encouraging Young People to Keep Music in Their Lives / Life Beyond High School, and Healing Through Music. All the workshops will be open to the public and we encourage you to join us.

Master violinist Midori leading an Orchestra Residencies Program in Kalamazoo, MI. Photo: www.orpobservations.wordpress.com.

No workshop series would be complete without Midori presenting a Violin Master Class. She will be working with SOGO members in a virtual 90-minute session – listening to intermediate and advanced violinists.

"No matter what instrument you play, there are opportunities for you to learn from this," says SOGO Executive Director Krina Allison.

Workshop Dates

• Jan 21, 4:30-5:45pm: Violin Master Class • Jan 26, 4:30-5:45pm: Workshop: How to Practice • Jan 28, 5-6pm: Aural Heritage: Who to Listen to and What to Listen for • Feb 2, 4:30-5:30pm: Encouraging Young People to Keep Music in Their Lives / Life Beyond High School —Parents and teachers are encouraged to bring ideas and questions for discussion.

• Feb 4, 4:30-5:30pm: Healing through Music: Discussing Midori’s role as a UN Messenger of Peace

Use the Zoom link https://tinyurl.com/yxcd5yod or visit StudentOrchestras.org to attend.

"NO MATTER WHAT INSTRUMENT YOU PLAY, THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO LEARN FROM THIS." ~ Krina Allison, SOGO Executive Director

The violinist Midori is a visionary artist, activist, and educator whose unique career has been dedicated to exploring and building connections between music and the human experience.

As a leading concert violinist for over 35 years, Midori regularly transfixes audiences around the world, combining graceful precision and intimate expression. Among many significant associations, she has performed with the London, Chicago, and San Francisco Symphony Orchestras, the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonics, and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra.

Source: www.midori-violin.com/bio/. Photo credit: Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, www.orpobservations.wordpress.com

Experience SOGO at a FREE virtual rehearsal!

Sun, Feb 28 - Visit studentorchestras.org for info.

Visit studentorchestras.org to donate online.

March 28 Virtual Concert May 25, 26, 28 Auditions for 2021-2022 June 6 Virtual Concert Did You Know SOGO Offers a Military Discount?

Children of US military personnel are eligible to receive a 10% discount on tuition. $50 will provide a military discount for one SOGO musician.

Donations can be made online at StudentOrchestras.org or by check at 1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia 98501.

Will Your Employer Match Your Gift?

You may be able to double your donation to SOGO through a matching gift program.

Many employers sponsor matching gift programs to match charitable contributions made by their employees. Even if you’ve retired, you may still be able to take advantage of these programs: gifts from retirees and spouses often qualify for a match.

Corporations providing matching gifts include Starbucks, Microsoft, Wells Fargo, Boeing, Alaska Airlines, State Farm Insurance, and Liberty Mutual.

FREE VIRTUAL

Sun, Feb 28 Register at

StudentOrchestras.org

SOGO Working on Diversity Equity and Inclusion, cont'd

As we began to consider what our role was as an organization to be part of the change, it became clear that we needed the perspective of someone outside our organization to shine light into our blind spots and challenge us to think in new ways.

We were delighted that Parfait Bassalé, Executive Diversity Officer at South Puget Sound Community College, agreed to work with our staff and board this season. Parfait’s unique gifts as a storyteller, educator, and musical performer himself have been invaluable to us.

(Read more about Parfait Bassalé on page 1.)

Our “homework” began with current and historical readings and videos about the lived experiences of members of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community, as well as the societal shifts that caused today’s landscape to be what it is. We then turned to what this means for SOGO, and how we can embrace the moment to affect positive change in our community.

While this work is still ongoing, we have "IN A SEASON FULL OF BAD been led to examine our own history as an organization as well as turning to other NEWS AND CANCELLATIONS, organizations in our industry that have led ALL OF US ARE GRATEFUL FOR by example in eliminating barriers to access THE OPPORTUNITY TO DREAM orchestral music.

BIG AND CONSIDER HOW SOGO In a season full of bad news and CAN, AS PARFAIT WOULD PUT cancellations, all of us are grateful for the IT, 'BE THE BRIDGE.'" opportunity to dream big and consider how SOGO can, as Parfait would put it, “be the ~ Cameron May, SOGO Music Director bridge.” Thank you, Parfait!

A Look Back: Musicians Prepare for February 2020 Academy Tour

Artistic Director Greg Allison leads a rehearsal before the Academy Orchestra visits Nisqually MS, Woodland Elementary, and Bush MS.

Cellist Christian L. has been rehearsing with SOGO virtually this year — all the way from Tennessee!

Teaching Artists are the heart of SOGO Thank you to our 2020-2021 Sponsors and Advertisers SPONSORS Academy Mortgage Corporation, Kathy Randich Capital Heating & Cooling Olympia Federal Savings Olympic Dermatology PCS Structural Solutions R.L. Ray Violin Shop Small to Tall Pediatric Dentistry Tumwater Eye Center TwinStar Credit Union ADVERTISERS B & R Flooring America Berets Financial Services, LLC Bischofberger Violins, LTD Bryan's Automotive Coldwell Banker Team - Evergreen Olympic Realty, Inc. Edward Jones, Kyle D Smith Encore Chocolates & Teas Evergreen Brass Quintet Hammond Ashley Violins JT Painting Company ListenFirst Speech Therapy, LLC McDonald Dentistry Music 6000 Northwest Center for Prosthodontics NOVA School O. Salazar de Breaux, Author Old School Pizzeria Olympia Consulting LLC Salon Salon South Sound Women's Center Tanasse Chiropractic Thurston County Title Vantage Physicians

Liz Ward, French horn TA, is also assistant conductor of SOGO's Brass Choir.

Jean Whipple, flute TA, also plays in the Olympia Chamber Orchestra.

Anne Edge, viola TA, is also SOGO's music historian and serves on the SOGO board.

Thank You for Supporting SOGO's First Virtual Concert

hoir c s s a r b 1 tras 3 orchesances 6 perform

"We shared it with family and friends around the county and nation. We really appreciate the care you and countless others have taken to make this a robust experience for our daughter." ~ SOGO parent

!! s w e i v 5 4 1,3 Thanks to donors like you, SOGO met our year-end

goal to secure $3,000 toward production costs for the March 28 virtual concert. If you would like to help with the June concert you can make a donation at StudentOrchestras.org or by mail.