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

A fter thirteen years and two moves, SOGO is soon to be moving again, but where? SOGO will be without rehearsal space on

Sunday afternoons beginning in September.

We are asking for your help.In the early days of SOGO, we rehearsed in schools, but the growing cost of facility rental forced us to look elsewhere. In 2008 we formed a wonderful relationship with the First Chris-tian Church in downtown Olympia. It was a perfect fit for SOGO, and a boost in usage for the church’s historic building. However, due to First Christian’s recent program expansions, we have been informed that they are no longer able to accommo-date SOGO’s rehearsal needs.

I have been involved with SOGO since its beginning, says Colleen Welch. As board president, and more importantly as a parent, I see the value that SOGO brings to our community. As culturally rich as Olympia is, I’m sure there must be a space...a place where SOGO can continue making beautiful music!

Our Unique Needs• SOGO rehearses for about 28 Sunday afternoons, 2-7:30 p.m.

from September to May. • Two large rehearsal spaces with enough room for an orchestra

of 50 – 80 young musicians. • Twelve small rooms to rehearse 4-12 students each. • Tuition fees and board fundraising cover the program costs,

including rehearsal venue rental.

SOGO has become a community treasure, says Greg Allison, Artistic Director. We find ourselves with a great need and we are asking that same community for help.

If you know of an available rehearsal space, please contact us at 360.352.1438 or studentorchestras@gmail.com.

is on the MOVE!

May 2014| Vol. X

IV N

o. 5

eStudent Orchestras

of Greater Olympia1629 22nd Ave SE

Olympia WA 98501

eOGO===Czech In With Maestro WelshRecently I was asked, What are your goals for our musicians? Of course, I want them to sound good. But more than that, I want them to understand why we perform this music. I want them to under-stand its immense ben-efits to them in a practical

(Cont’d on p.2)

p

Parents, please join us for tea, coffee, and cookies at our Meet & Greet. Artistic Director Greg Allison will speak about parenting your musician - everything from getting them to practice to the im-portance of a classical music education.

DRESS REHEARSAL

MEET & GREET

p

When my oldest son was in SOGO, he wanted to quit because he just wanted to do Jazz Band. I knew there was a good reason why he needed to stay in SOGO, musically, but, at the time, I couldn’t articulate it. I talked to Greg, and he told me why Kyle should stay in SOGO, and not just do Jazz Band. When I told Kyle what Greg had said, he never again asked to quit.

~ Colleen Welch

PARENTING YOUR MUSICIAN

Sunday, May 18

Washington Center Green Room

DEBUT12:00-12:30 p.m.

ACADEMY 12:50-1:20 p.m.

View newsletter in color at studentorchestras.org | studentorchestras@gmail.com | 2

and cultural way. I want them to understand what the music represents. And I want them to share the passion I have for this music. All of this influences the music I choose for our concerts.

The Power of faTeI like to begin with an overture because it gives our musicians a chance to play the thematic highlights of an opera. For our May 18 concert, we will perform the overture to La Forza del Destino (The Force of Destiny) by Giuseppe Verdi. This truly is a story about the power of fate. Alvaro attempts to whisk away his beloved Leonora in the night but he is interrupted by Leonora’s father. Alvaro’s gun accidentally goes off, killing her father. Le-onora’s brother, Carlo, vows revenge for his father’s death. This is an exciting and dramatic piece that I think you will enjoy.

BruTal where IT Needs To Be BruTal Ma Vlast (My Country) by Bedřich Smetana is, by its very nature, one of my favorite pieces of music. Ma Vlast portrays scenes and myths that are important to the Czech people. It is energetic and beautiful. It can be brutal where it needs to be brutal. We will conclude our

concert with three movements from this incredible cycle of six symphonic poems.

High CastleVyšehrad, the first movement, repre-sents the high castle in Prague, which sits on a hill looking over the city. This beautiful piece begins and ends with a delicate harp solo.

Feel the River RollThe second movement, Vlatva, is written from the perspective of someone floating down the Vlatva river. Listen for the musical representations: a forest hunt, the rapids, and a peasant wedding. When you listen to Vlatva you should feel the river roll.

Czech In with Maestro Welsh, cont’d

The Maidens’ WarOur final movement is Šárka, based on the dark legend of the Maidens’ War. Šárka is a beautiful Amazon who lures her enemy, Ctirad, by tying herself to a tree. When Ctirad unties Šárka, she and her warrior sisters feed Ctirad and his army. The men have been tricked: the meal is drugged. They fall asleep and are slaughtered by the Amazons. Ma Vlast not only provides scenic representations, but also embodies some of the rich legends for which the Czech area is famous. I love Czech music and am eager to share Ma Vlast with you.

Ctirad and Šárka by Josef Václav Myslbek

Last spring, several sponsors made generous contributions to SOGO. With this funding, we were able to create a new op-portunity for our musicians: a chamber music camp.

Playing in a small ensemble is quite different from our regular orchestra work. Benefits to our members include:• Experience performing in ensembles of 3-13 musicians• 16 hours of rehearsal time with conductors and teach-

ing artists. Rehearsals were intense and required thorough preparation and focus.

• Improved musical cooperation and interdependence

The experience has been a great success, with benefits paying off well beyond the life of the camp itself. Chamber music camp will now be a regular part of our program.

This endeavor would not have been possible without our sponsors. In return, we will be recognizing them as honorary sponsors of our May concert. Help us thank them with your patronage and your hearty applause.

These businesses have helped us move to the next level as an artistic organization and have improved the artistic climate in our community.

If you are a local business owner, please consider the benefits of becoming a sponsor.

Sponsors Instrumental to SOGO’s Musical Growth

Dr. Andrew Kapust, DDS

SUNRISE DENTAL

www.sunrisedental.com

Vyšehrad Castle Photo: Stanislav Jelen

SOGO’s own Ann Li (violin, Academy Orchestra) will perform at Carnegie Hall this summer as a member of the 2014 Middle School Honors Performance Series. Ann will join a group of accomplished musicians from across the US and Canada.

I’m excited to perform with kids all over North America in such a beautiful place. Also, I’m looking forward to seeing New York City! ~ Ann Li

Applicants were required to submit recorded auditions and a teacher recommendation in order to be consid-ered for this honor.

Practice, Practice, PracticeSOGO Musician to Play at Carnegie Hall

3View newsletter in color at studentorchestras.org | studentorchestras@gmail.com |

Senior StatsCongratulations to our graduating seniors! Your dedication and musicianship will be missed.

Dress Rehearsal Scheduleà Brass Choir load-in - 11:00 a.m.à Brass Choir 11:20 - 11:55 a.m.à Debut 12:00 - 12:45 p.m. à Academy 12:50 - 1:35 p.m. à Conservatory 1:40 - 3:10 p.m.à CONCERT CALL TIME 3:30 p.m.

ConcertSunday, May 18, 4 p.m. Washington Center olytix.org | 360.753.8586

Get your tickets today!

Auditions• May 25; June 1, 16• Online scheduling• $30 audition fee, non-refundable;

$40 for auditions after June 16

Music Pick-Up ~ 8/24, 4-8 p.m.

Conservatory Ensemble Camp August 25-26

Tuition • $350 Acad. & Debut, $400 Conservatory• Tuition is due at the time of music pick-up.*• Tuitions paid by August 15 receive a free

ticket voucher.** Please note that these tuition dates are different from past years.

Mark Your Calendar

Christine Sears Cello | North Thurston HS | joined sogo 2011| future

plans WSU or UPS, major Music | favorite memories First,

always going to Starbucks with the cello section after dress rehearsal on concert days. Second, getting to play the Saint-Saëns concerto.

Ella Bushnell Violin | Olympia HS | joined sogo 2006

Lisa Chong Violin | Capital HS | joined sogo 2009 | future plans Oregon State University, major Environ-

mental Engineering as an Army ROTC cadet | favorite memory Mr. Welsh knocking over countless music stands with his powerful conducting.

Grant Stidham Trombone | Capital HS | joined sogo 2007

Shannon Wolfe Clarinet | Capital HS | joined sogo 2013

Tabitha Parsons Oboe | Capital HS | joined sogo 2012 | future plans Ever-green College, major Art

favorite piece ‘Pavanne,’ it was so sweet and melodic.

Ha-Yoon Lee Flute | Black Hills H.S. | joined sogo 2009 | future plans Univ. of Washington, major Pre-

Health Science

Sarah Smith Violin | Olympia HS | joined sogo 2010

Samuel Kim Violin | Capital HS | joined sogo 2005 | future plans Univ. of Washington | advice

Practice scales. Knowing my scales would have helped so much with the mul-titudes of runs in the SOGO music.

Mary Armstrong Flute | Pope John Paul II HS | joined sogo 2006 |future plans Gonzaga University,

major Elem. Ed. | advice Enjoy the experience of making beautiful music with others.

Keadrin Dick Cello | North Thurston HS | joined sogo 2007 | future

plans Oberlin College and Conservatory or WSU

Erica Anderson Viola | North Thurston HS | joined sogo 2009

Daniel Swan Viola | Olympia HS | joined sogo 2007

2014-2015 Concert Schedule

Season Concerts Sunday, November 2Sunday, March 1Sunday, May 17

Ho Ho Brass Choir Saturday, December 13

Messiah Monday, December 22

Arts Walk Saturday, April 25

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE PAID

OLYMPIA, WAPERMIT NO. 358

STUDENT ORCHESTRAS OF GREATER OLYMPIA1629 22ND AVE SEOLYMPIA WA 98501-3019

Season ConcertMay 18, 4 p.m.Washington Center for the Performing ArtsTickets: Olytix.org | 360.753.8586

Dr. Andrew Kapust, DDS

SUNRISE DENTAL

www.sunrisedental.com

How have these generous sponsors helped our members take a big step in their musical growth?

Find out inside!

Photos: Doug Ford

suNday, May 18, 4:00 P.M.washINgToN CeNTer

TICKeTs: $6-$15* | 360.753.8586 | olyTIx.org

6 aNd uNder free | *Plus $3 CeNTer surCharge

Funding also provided by