ORCHESTRATING LIFELONG PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTS
September 2022Vol. 23 No. 1
1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia WA 98501 | 360-352-1438 | StudentOrchestras.org StudentOrchestras@gmail.com | Facebook.com/StudentOrchestras
2022-2023 SEASON CONCERTS Sunday @ 4pm November 6 March 5 May 21 Washington Center Tickets: $8-21* Six & under free* 360.753.8586 *plus $4 WCPA fee
CONCERT SPONSORS
FROM SCORE TO MUSIC Dear SOGO community, As summer nears its end, SOGO is gearing up for the 2022-2023 season. I can’t quite believe it; I thought summer was just beginning! July was a particularly busy month for SOGO, as we held our annual week of SOGO Summer Music July 18-22. It was a rousing success, including a couple of new classes that we were able to offer this year, as well as a side-by-side performance with the Olympia Symphony Orchestra at Heritage Park on July 23. We are grateful to the OSO for the opportunity to perform with them, and we anticipate another side-by-side performance with the SOGO Conservatory Orchestra later this season. Stay tuned for that – no spoilers! During Summer Music we offered a conducting class. For a first-time offering, we had a decent turnout, and I spent the first day walking the students through my score study process and everything a conductor must do before the first rehearsal. Mrs. Allison thought this would be interesting enough to share with you, so here is a brief overview of how I get from score to music. When programming for a SOGO season, I start by looking at the season as a whole and thinking about what pieces would be the best fit for this year’s students. I then package those pieces into programs that will be enjoyable for the audience and realistic for the orchestra to prepare in seven or eight rehearsals. The season usually goes through several drafts before it is finalized. Auditions are a big determining factor, as this is my best chance to evaluate what incoming students will be able to handle. Collaborative projects involving artists outside SOGO must also be considered. When these opportunities arise, they become pillars that I program around.
EVENT SPONSORS
Once the programming is set, my next step is to learn the music myself, and summer is my best opportunity to do this. There is some standard repertoire that I have conducted or studied in the past, but I also try to include new or lesser-known works, many of which I have not performed before. One of my mentors likes to say that, for a conductor, “the first rehearsal is your performance.” So, all my personal preparation must happen ahead of time, so that I am able to lead the musicians effectively. I have my own lengthy process for dissecting a score that involves analysis, research, and creating flow charts. My personal goal for a first rehearsal is to be able to conduct through each of the pieces without looking at the score. That doesn’t always happen, but when it does, it gives me a feeling of security and helps me focus more attention on what the students need to play their best. Like positions of leadership in other industries, the nature of being a conductor involves thinking in multiple timelines simultaneously. In my case, at any given time I am learning scores for a future cycle, marking and copying parts to distribute to the musicians, making a plan for the next rehearsal, and watching recordings of previous rehearsals to determine whether my conducting and verbal instructions to the musicians are coming across the way I intend them to. And all of this, of course, happens outside of Sunday afternoons. We’ve got a great season of music to share with you this year! Watch this space for more information about each of our season concerts. I’ll see you in November at the newly-renovated Washington Center!
Cameron May SOGO Music Director STUDENT ORCHESTRAS OF GREATER OLYMPIA
LEAD • INSPIRE • PERFORM •
}
Visit StudentOrchestras.org
W
JOIN SOGO
e are so excited to begin our second in person season of SOGO 2 Schools. SOGO 2 Schools made a significant difference in the success of dozens of young musicians last school year and we look forward to helping many students to grow in confidence as musicians and people in the upcoming school year. The best way to know of the program’s success is to hear from those we served:
Auditions for membership in SOGO are still open. Please share this with a young friend. The audition information can be on the SOGO website. StudentOrchestras.org
“The students are all very excited to have sectionals with their coaches. They know who they are due to an earlier visit this year. The students found the coaches extremely helpful, kind, and very supportive—talented, too!” ~ MS Orchestra Director
SUMMER FUN
“Thank you for making this opportunity possible not just for my kids who would be playing regardless but for a number of kids there from diverse backgrounds whose family finances wouldn’t otherwise allow for this opportunity.” ~ Parent of 5th grade violinist “Thank you! This is wonderful. We appreciate the virtual lessons. They give our daughter autonomy and responsibility without the stress of leaving home.” ~ Parent of flutist
LoveOly Fest - Conductus
“I want to write and say THANK YOU, to the SOGO 2 School Program. What you have provided this year has been a vital part to the success of my students and my entire program. It has been of the utmost importance and has helped students develop and understand at a deeper level and know what SOGO really is. Both my students and I have learned greatly from the positive, professional, wonderful expertise and leadership of your staff. It has genuinely sparked a deeper love and vision of what music is and how it connects us all in such a meaningful way.” ~ MS Band Director
Concert in the Park
GIVE A GIFT TODAY Online at StudentOrchestras.org
Thank you supporters for making a difference in the lives of young musicians! Greg Allison, SOGO Artistic Director
Future Music Makers SCHOLARSHIP Fund
We believe economic circumstances should not be a barrier to the benefits young musicians gain from participating in SOGO’s programs. For that reason, SOGO is building the Future Music Makers Scholarship Fund. Children interested in joining SOGO have their family member complete a simple application form. Based on their interest and demonstrated financial need, up to half the tuition fees can be awarded. All information is kept confidential. The Future Music Makers Scholarship Fund is supported by community members. A robust fund will ensure that all young musicians will have equal opportunity to experience the highquality programming SOGO offers the South Sound area.
Harold & Dorrie Carr Dianne & Mike Chaney Brian & Saundra Clegg Richard & Michelle Downing Susan Tusa & Dan Durham Anne Edge John & Mary Fleckenstein Carolyn Folden Douglas & Lindsey Ford
Become a Future Music Makers Scholarship Partner today! Elsie Higgins Richard Hurst Pat & Paul Kabler Patricia Kay Charles & Carolyn Keck Jacqueline LaFrance James & Christine Long Majida & Andrew Manista William & Georgene Marshman
Michael & Cherie-Anne May Richard & Carolee Nichols Justin & Virginia Nordhorn Scott & Nancy Peebles Lucy Reuter Bernard & Nancy Ryan Ronald Schafer Duane Slate
Zane & Ann Smith Mark & Sandra Spee Carolyn Stoll Bryn & Elizabeth Swanson Helen Tafejian Lynne Trinklein Tumwater Eye Center Daidre West
May 25, 26, 28 Auditions for 2021-2022 June 6 Virtual Concert July 12-16 SOGO Summer Music
May 25, 26, 28
Student musicians from one year experience to advanced high school are invited to audition for the 2021-2022 SOGO Season. All auditions will be held remotely via ZOOM. $35 audition fee or pay what you can during the COVID-19 hardship. Visit StudentOrchestras.org today for more information and to register for an audition!
Tune in for the Spring SOGO Virtual Concert on Sunday, June 6 at 4PM. The concert is free to view. Please consider making a donation to SOGO as a virtual ticket.
July 12-16
Elementary through high school students can explore and experience all kinds of fun classes at the 2021 SOGO Summer Music at Jefferson M.S. July 12-16! There are 14 in-person class offerings, including Fiddling, Beginning Violin, Bucket Band, Swap Band, Music Theory, Woodwind and Brass Class, Jazz for All, and much more. Visit StudentOrchestras.org today for more information and to register for some musical summer fun!