YOUTH

MAY 2012 Vol. 12 No. 5

STUDENT ORCHESTRAS OF GREATER OLYMPIA ~ 1629 22nd Ave SE, Olympia WA 98501 | www.studentorchestras@gmail.com

Continued on page 2...

Continued on page 2...

SOGOMuch the Same......and yet, some differences too.

I returned from a five week bike tour of New Zealand a few days before SOGO’s March Concert. New Zealand was an easy country to travel in. Much is the

same as here. They speak the same language (with a really cool accent) and many of the same foods, especially fast food restaurants, are available in New Zealand (more expensive though), almost as plentifully as they are here. Some of the scenery even reminded me of home.

That got me thinking...what about music? More specifically, youth orchestral music. What opportunities do young Kiwi musicians have to play symphonic music? I did a little research. Turns out, Wellington (coincidentally the Capitol of New Zealand) has a Youth Orchestra called, not surprisingly, Wellington Youth Orchestra (WYO). It is a tuition -based program like SOGO. The “aims” of their “organisation” (definitely a British influence in spelling) are:

--”To educate youth in the Pro-vincial District of Wellington in musical appreciation as applied to orchestral music.”--”To provide the opportunity for youth to play in a symphony orchestra and to encourage young amateurs in symphonic music.”--”To provide performances by members of the orchestra or other artists.”

Sound familiar? Yes, it is very similar to SOGO’s mission statement, “To provide a challenging, fully integrated music experience for young musicians which includes orchestra and ensemble performances, music education, and a broad

Morgan & band at Rockestra - a great gig featuring the Wellington Youth Orchestra and bands from the School of Rock.

WHY I SHOOT YOUNG MUSICIANS

No, not that! I’m the photographer! I’m Doug Ford, the guy you may see car-rying a camera at rehearsals or standing by a tripod at concerts. Although

I’m a member of the SOGO board, I’ve never had a child in SOGO, and know nothing about classical music. My iPod library is eclectic, but mostly contains what is called “adult alternative”. Why, then, do I hang out on Sundays and take photos of your talented kids? Funny you should ask.

Some SOGO board members were talking recently about the primary purposes of the organization. After some fascinating discussion, we centered on three as-pects -- music, youth and community. Each of us involved in SOGO might relate

WHAT’S IN THE MUSIC? Highlights of May 20th Conservatory Orchestra program. ~ Jeff Lund, Notes on Notes

The final performance of the Conservatory Orchestra this year is a voyage into all things Russian - highlighted by the Conser-

vatory Orchestra’s program of Rimsky-Korsakov and Tchaikovsky. The heavy hitting tutti sections within this music, as well as it’s folkloric ideas and melodies, are monuments of Russian art and culture. Within these three pieces, many aspects of Russian life during this period are related through the orchestration and the musical composition.

In Korsakov’s arrangement of Modest Mussorgsky, Korsakov’s sole purpose was to salvage the original work of his contempo-rary through clearer, more defined orchestration. The original, composed when Mussorgsky was only 19, lacked the unification of the Russian folk music style and the mythological ideas origi-nally inspiring the work, then titled “St. John’s night on the Bare Mountain”. This traditional story could only be used in a tone poem it was written with the Russian musical tradition in mind.

We find this strong sense of tradition in the Suite from his opera: The Tale of the Tsar Sultan. Mysticism was very heavily influ-encing Korsakov and his contempories. Often using fairytale subject matter, the premier Russian composers were capable of making large, colorful orchestrations representing the smallest of subjects, such as the bumblebee. This piece includes what is arguably Korsakov’s most famous of movements, and one of the most difficult orchestral pieces to perform effectively. While Korsakov focused primarily on mysticism and mythology, Tchaikovsky composed within reality, sometimes more real and personal than most classical music enthusiasts know. March Slav was composed as a tribute to the Russian soldiers who were wounded in the Servo/Turkish war of the late 19th century. Though this piece includes traditional melodies as well, such as “God save the Tsar”, their patriotic origin is written to mimic a funeral march; albeit – ala Tchaikovsky.

Join us in the season finale Sunday, May 20, 4 p.m.

SO Y’KNOWNEWSLETTER

SOGO Graduating Seniors - Page 3

My 'EASY' Button

This year in my first term as SOGO President, one of my personal goals has been to

make things easier. The one area I have really wanted to make painless is fundraising. I asked myself, what would be the easiest, most painless way for me to donate to SOGO? I felt it was important to start with myself because if it didn’t work for me, it probably wouldn’t work for you.

I have found a way that works! Once a month, I sim-ply go to the SOGO website (studentorchestras.org) and click the donate button in the upper right corner. I choose how much (usually $20), click the button, and voila, it’s done. It’s like having an “EASY” button!

I can’t make the big donation once or twice a year, but I can do $20 a month! Maybe $20 is too much for you. Maybe you could do $10, or even $5. Maybe you are thinking, well sure, I could do $5 but, will that really make a difference for SOGO? Yes, yes it will! Because your $5 plus my $20 plus all the other people who realize this is such an easy way to donate will add up to an impressive amount. Together we can help SOGO do great things for our young musi-cians! Go ahead, give it a try! I’m guessing you’ll find it’s pretty easy too! 2

Huw Edwards, Olympia Symphony

Claudia Simpson-JonesOlympia Chamber Orchestra

...Much the same cont... spectrum of music related activities.” There are other similarities as well, including that they have the same number of season concerts.

I did discover a couple of differences. One is that the Wellington Youth Orchestra rehearses at the New Zealand School of Music on the campus of Victoria University in Wellington. This is made possible by the New Zealand School of Music. I saw the Victoria University campus while I was in Wellington. I sure wouldn’t mind rehearsing there!

The other significant difference is in the area of support. WYO has the support of some large corporations as well as community-based organizations. But, the really signifi-cant supporter is the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. This is the National orchestra of New Zealand! I think that is pretty impressive!

I’m sure there are other similarities and differences, but what it boils down to is that kids are playing symphonic music the world over--well, at least in the land of the Kiwis!

Oh, and one other thing. WYO has been in existence since 1959! Perhaps when SOGO has been around that long it will have its own School of Music!

Colleen Welch (aka Super Biker Woman)SOGO Board President(If you would like to read about my cycling adventures in New Zealand, you can do so at www.superbikerwoman.blogspot.com)

Digital Technology in 21st-century Music NewMusicBox.com, Rob Deemer writes, “A noted musicologist requested that I submit up to three scores that would adequately represent the musical in-novations of the past 10-15 years, and over the past two weeks I’ve been going over lists of composers and their repertoire to see if I could find some common threads that stood out as being both important and new in some way.

… Out of all the innovations that have affected concert music since the mid-nineties, one would be hard-pressed to find a more pervasive one than digital technology. … Ranging from simple aural enhancements and ‘with tape’ pieces to basic looping software and the most far-flung digital transmutations, composers and performers alike have been slowly becoming acclimated to the ubiquity of microphones and laptops in the studio and on the stage.”

Deemer also notes a trend in composers “asking for special techniques or skills that a particular performer has mastered (including improvisation, extended techniques, or stylistic performance traits). This has encouraged many per-formers to search for performance techniques that would allow them to stand out from the crowd—an example would be the growing number of violinists, violists, and cellists who have learned to sing while playing their instrument.”

NewMusicBox, a multimedia publication from New Music USA, is dedicated to the music of American composers and improvisers and their champions.

...Why I shoot cont... to these three areas with different priorities and interests, but these attributes, and their overlaps, make SOGO an exciting and meaningful organization. After some thought, I realized that my focus within SOGO is “community”.

The concept of community has many dimensions in SOGO. We serve the exter-nal community of greater Olympia. We are a supportive community of SOGO families. Each orchestra is an internal community of growing musicians. The SOGO board is a governing community of dedicated leaders. My photos, I hope, contribute to the growth and fun of our orchestral communities.

After each photo shoot, I screen, edit and post photos to the SOGO page on Face-book in labeled albums. Students and parents often go to the albums, identify photos they like and comment on specific images or the entire album. Facebook users choose a photo of themselves they want to display in their posts and I’m of-ten surprised when I see a SOGO student has adopted a photo I shot! If you have not viewed the photos there, search for “student orchestras” in the Facebook search box. Be sure to “like” the page so you get notices when there are updates.

As the photographer, I’m privileged to attend rehearsals and get to know the personality of each group. The culture of each orchestra is based not only on the conductor and coaches, but mostly on the makeup of its members. Although each group has a different feel, one common element that spans them all is trust. Each rehearsal has overarching expectations of hard work, dedication and music education, but there is palpable trust within each community. It promises that one can make a mistake without fear of embarrassment or ridicule. I have never heard anyone say an unkind word about another musician when they are out of tune, miss a note, or squawk when they should squeak. The student communities not only support each other, they have fun doing it. Just look at the many smiles I so easily capture on students’ faces!

Further, I see the orchestras become communities of friends as the season pro-gresses. The ten minutes before each rehearsal are alive with students warming up and catching up with their peers on their personal lives and experiences. I watch the smiles and enjoy the banter. I’m sure that many social relationships and lasting friendships have begun in SOGO rehearsals.

So “community” is my passion and that’s what I attempt to capture and share in my photos. I am privileged to be in the SOGO community. I also like to shoot your kids!

~ Doug Ford (douglas.ford@comcast.net)

music

COMMUNITY

NOVEMBER 6, 4 PM WCPA

DECEMBER17 HO HO 2 & 7 PM 19 MESSIAH SING 7:30 PM

APRIL 28, 1 PM ZOO

MAY 20, 4 PM WCPA

2011-12 SPONSORS

Olympic Dermatology & Laser Clinic

Tumwater Eye Center & Vue Vision

WA State Arts Commission

RadiantCare

R.L. Ray Violin Shop, LLC

Olympia Federal Savings

Marguerite Bishop Fund

Irving Lassen Foundation

Charneski Charitable Fund

Washington Center

All donations are tax-deductible. 3

MARCH 25, 4 PM WCPA

Summer Music Program 5-8th grade St. Martin’s University Music Department 5300 Pacific Avenue Lacey, WA 98503 360.352.1438 (SOGO Office)

Evergreen Music Festival Tacoma Youth Symphony Association 901 Broadway Plaza, Suite 500 Tacoma, WA 98402-4415 253.627.2792 info@tysamusic.org

Summer Youth Symphony Camp Icicle Creek Music Center P.O. Box 2071 Leavenworth, WA 98826 1.877.265.6026 icicle@icicle.org

Marrowstone Music Festival Seattle Youth Symphony Association 11065 Fifth Ave NE, Suite A Seattle WA USA 98125 206.362.2300 marrowstone@syso.org

Summer Music Camps University of Oregon Music Department 1225 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403-1225 541.346.2138 or 541.346.5670 cjhansen@darkwing.uoregon.edu

AUDITION TIPSNolan Welch, Student Board

DRESSREHEARSALTIMES...BRASS CHOIR 11:20 - 11:55 a.m.DEBUT NOON - 12:45 p.m.ACADEMY 12:50 - 1:35 p.m.CONSERVATORY 1:40 - 3:10 p.m.

Huw Edwards, Olympia Symphony

SOGO GRADUATING SENIORS!

Around this time of year, SOGO students get a little nervous. It’s audition time! But, there’s nothing to be

afraid of. I have auditioned a whopping eight times over my seven years in SOGO and every year I get a little less nervous. Hopefully with this article I can give you helpful hints on how to do your best in your audition.

1. Throughout the year, sight read for a total of 30 minutes a week. That may sound like a lot but it’s really about 5-10 minutes a day. This will improve your sight-reading which is a universal skill in music.

2. Come to your audition on time with ample time to warm up (20-30 minutes).

3. Choose a 1-minute piece that shows off your technical ability and your tone.

4. Eat a banana before your audition. Potassium relaxes your body!

5. Download and study the theory test online at studentorchestras.org

6. Don’t be nervous! The SOGO auditions are to help our staff understand your ability and place you in the group that best fits you.

In case you forgot, you must come to your audition with a prepared 1-minute solo, ready to sight-read a passage, and take a theory test to evaluate your knowledge of music theory. The ultimate tip is to try to not be nervous because SOGO auditions are meant to evaluate your skill and place you in the best group for you.

SUMMER MUSICOPPORTUNITIESCOMMUNITY

Flora Espinoza, Oboe• Member 5 years• Plans to attend San Francisco Conserva-tory

Advice: “Music is so much more than just practicing. But don’t slack on that, because you’ll kick yourself when your’re older.”

In Five years Flora said she sees herself “Still making reeds!”

Alaina Peters, Clarinet• Member 3 years• Plans to attend Arizona State Univer-sity

Advice: “Pat yourself on the back for joining early! I wish I had done SOGO longer - Debut and Academy look so fun. Other than that, practice, make friends with the people in your section, and audition for All-State.”

Michael Snodgrass, Tuba• Member 6 years• Plans to attend Gonzaga or UW

Memorable moment: “One time I tried so hard to hit a high note that my nose started bleeding.”

Breanne Zelenak, Trumpet• Member 6 years• Plans to attend Willamette University

After high school graduation Breanne plans to work as a cabin counselor at the YMCA Camp Seymour in Gig Harbor.

Dakota McRostie, Violin• Member 6 years• Plase to attend WSU Plans for the future: “I plan to major in mechanical engineering, ultimately working towards a doctorate.”

EXECUTIVE BOARDPRESIDENT: Colleen WelchVICE PRESIDENT: Jilyna DickSECRETARY: Peter DespotTREASURER: John Fleckenstein

STUDENT BOARDElla Bushnell, violinDakota McRostie, violinKeadrin Dick, celloNolan Welch, cello

BOARD OF DIRECTORSJoyce AllenJoan ArmstrongBrad CarlsonWendy ClarkDoug FordJulie EvansAnne HammondSusan HillGinny NordhornDana PhelpsAmy SchutteKirk Veis

MUSIC DIRECTORJohn Welsh

ARTISTIC DIRECTORGreg Allison

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFFKrina Allison, Executive Dir.Pat Kabler, Orchestra Mgr. & Finance Dir.Mary Ardington, Librarian Doug Ford, Event Coordinator

SOGO TEEs & Hoodies available!

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE PAID

OLYMPIA, WAPERMIT NO. 358

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

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Michael Snodgrass, Tuba, Olympia H.S., 2006-07

Tiffany Smith, Viola, River Ridge, H.S. 2006-07

Alaina Peters, Clarinet, Black Hills H.S., 2009-10

Breanne Zelenak, Trumpet, Black Hills H.S., 2006-07

Flora Espinoza, Oboe, Capital H.S., 2007-08

Ha-Eun Lee, Violin, Olympia H.S., 2008-09

Aviva Browning, Violin, Capital H.S., 2006-07

Not pictured-Dakota McRostie, Violin, Tumwater H.S., 2006-07

Graduating SOGO Seniors (L-R)