SOGOSO Y’KNOWNEWSLETTEROCTOBER 2011 Vol. 12 No. 2

Welcome to a new decade of SOGO! I look forward to the maturity of this organization as it takes a

significant place in the artistic life of the Northwest. A little over 11 years ago last month (the Labor Day week-end to be exact) I met with a small group of folks (The Allison’s and a couple of energetic, bright young high school students) to talk about conducting a new, and as of yet, unformed orchestra composed of students from the South Sound area. I had just come out here from back East (most of my life was spent in Washington, DC and more recently Tennessee) to become the conductor of the Bremerton Symphony. My name had been men-tioned as a new conductor to the area looking for more work (conductors never have enough places to conduct). I wanted to be involved with a group that represented a positive educational and musical experience. All of my inquiries yielded the results I was looking for, so I threw my hat in the ring! None of us knew what was going to follow, but here I am years later proudly conducting a wonderful group of young musicians in the Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia.

Having had a long career as a Music Director of many varied types of orchestras (not a Youth Orchestra

however) and actively involved with the League of Amer-ican Orchestras and a Board Member of the Conductors’ Guild, I had occasion to observe the Youth Orchestra culture. Having done so, there were a number of goals we were able to put into place from the establishment of SOGO in 2000.

Having been the Music Director of community or-chestras involving college students (Georgetown

Symphony and the Rockville/Montgomery College orches-tras) I noted the weakness in interaction between the age groups. I also noted the positive growth of those interactions over a period of time. In SOGO, our coach-ing faculty works to develop strong relationships with the players, yielding confident musicians and a growing membership. This works in tandem with minimizing competition. SOGO values what each member brings to the orchestra, no matter where they sit.

Another phenomenon I observed was the tendency of youth orchestras to program arrangements and pop-

ular movements from suites or symphonies. In SOGO, by the time members reach the Conservatory Orchestra

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

ON THE MEZZ is an informative and engaging way to learn about the music before the concert. SOGO’s musicologist, Anne Edge, will take you through music theory, guided listening and the program’s historical and cultural con-text. Plus, you’ll hear interviews with The Conservatory Orchestra’s clarinet soloist, Alaina Peters, and members of the Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia and participate in Q & A!

All ON THE MEZZ events are FREE to ticket holders and are held in the lobby area of the Mezzanine level at the Wash-ington Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall at 3:30 p.m. (1/2 hour before the show begins)

ON THEMEZZ!Enhance your concert experiencewith pre-concert talks!

MY HAT WAS IN THE RING

FREE IS GOOD!Children 6 years and younger receive a free ticket* with a paying adult when they attend a Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia (SOGO) season concert.

SOGO tickets are reasonably priced from $5-$17* and can be purchase through the Center Box Office 753-8586 or online at Olytix.org. Avoid long lines and get choice seats if you purchase your tickets early, or at least the day before each concert. *Plus the $3 Washington Center surcharge

Alaina Peters, soloist

Cont. page 2

(the most advanced musicians) they per-form complete, original works from the symphonic literature.

Another observation I made was that many times youth orchestras sell

themselves short. SOGO performances provide the community with a rich sym-phonic experience in a beautiful concert hall setting, at a reasonable price. We provide some free services in the com-munity - be sure to join us for the Messiah Sing-Along Monday, December 19, 7:30 p.m. free admission.

So with this retrospective let’s take a quick look forward. We must con-

tinue and grow into the role of the pri-mary source of an integral, supplemental and elevated musical experiences for the youth of our area. I am looking forward to another decade of expanding and reach-ing the fulfillment of the challenges ahead.

Sunday, November 6, 4 p.m. is just about here. The SOGO faculty and

staff are looking forward to the 11th opening season concert at the Washington Center. Get your tickets early for the best seats to hear great music by amazing young musicians!

Hat cont...On a windswept fall night, the people started arriving. One-by-one their cars pulled up to the curb. The porch light was on and the yard surround-ing the house was overflowing with flowers and Rose of Sharon bushes spilling through the white picket fence. I’d seen this group gather before like birds migrating every month to their destination. They had a mission – SOGO.

They were in business suits, mom outfits, high heels, shorts and t-shirts with smart phones and meeting minutes in hand. This was the group I had been curious about for a long time. Now was my chance to infiltrate. I saw a group of people laughing and nibbling at homemade zucchini bread -- reconnecting like best friends at a reunion. Positive energy was flowing as previous meeting minutes were read and approved, and the group dove into the agenda at hand. Like Mary Poppins, they deftly checked off their list as they listened to reports from the artistic, music, executive, and finance directors…approved quarterly financial statements, discussed “old” and “new” business, broke into committees, then flew back together to share committee reports.

It was clear from the smiles on their faces that the highlight of the meet-ing was hearing from the Student Board – representative student musi-cians who met in a separate room to accomplish their own agenda and dovetail it into the greater SOGO mission. Their perspective and partici-pation was key; it was the essence of SOGO – building leadership and developing the whole student on several levels through the joy of playing music.

As the group adjourned and said cheerful goodnights through the screen door, the scribe (an accomplished gluten-free baker) waved to the lawyer, the marketing executive walked out while talking with the pho-tographer and writer, and the professional musi-cian/educators smiled as they put the furniture back to order in their living room. Everyone was grateful for each other, for the parents, and for the student musicians. The vision was moving forward.SOGO Board Members

~ John Welsh, Music Director & Conductor

A Tale of Two HousesIt was the best of holidays. It was the worst of holidays. Please read on...

Not so long ago, in a community not at all far away, two families were getting ready for holiday gatherings. Carol and Chris Nicholas were admiring their festive and elegantly decorated home. “Chris, we’re completely ready for the party tonight! I’m so thankful that we or-

dered those beautiful SOGO poinsettias.” “Me too, Carol! Just look at how lovely those red, pink, white, marble, Picasso, Jingle Bells, and Cortez (go to the fundraising page on the www.studentorchestras.org website to see the array of choices) florist-quality plants accent the fireplace, not to mention the entry. How welcoming. My favorite has got to be the poinsettia-covered buffet. Sure makes those creamed brussels sprouts look appetizing.” “Can you believe that each plant has at least five blooms?! And those mylar covers! So sparkly! No more ugly pots for us!” “Next year, let’s order 10 or more, and then we can get them for an exceptionally discounted price!” “And, if we order 20 or more, we can even get free delivery.” “Great idea!” “Is that the doorbell?”... Meanwhile, on another street in another part of town, the Frosts--John and Jacqueline--were feeling the stress of decorating for their upcoming party. “Jack, something is missing. Our house just doesn’t look very festive.” “I’m with you, Jackie. Look at that corner where all the shadows are. The piano’s so bare, and we could really use something to camouflage that wallpaper stain.” They look into each oth-ers’ eyes. “Poinsettias! We could have ordered SOGO poinsettias!!! How did we ever let that November 20th deadline go by? Just think! We could have purchased any size, even that big beautiful 10” pot size – that would have really impressed our guests. We missed out on a great opportunity. Next year, we’re going to be first in line to pick up our poinsettias at the Allison’s.” (Audible sigh...) It’s up to you to determine which kind of holiday you will have... Archived from 2005 Newsletter by Becky Pharris with a few embellishments.

Also available 22” Noble Fir Wreaths for $20 each. Wreath orders are due November 7. Order forms can be downloaded from the fundraising page at www.studentorchestras.org

Anne Hammond, Board MemberMISSION - SOGO

NOVEMBER 6, 4 PM WCPA

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

MARCH 25, 4 PM WCPA

APRIL 28, 1 PM ZOO

MAY 20, 4 PM WCPA

2011-12 SPONSORS

Olympic Dermatology & Laser Clinic

Tumwater Eye Center & Vue Vision

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.

Are you having a great experience in SOGO? If you would like to share this great experience with another musician friend you are in luck! Sunday November 20, you can invite a friend to

the SOGO SIDE-BY-SIDE event during rehearsal. This is a perfect opportunity to invite a friend to come and find out what it is like to play in a symphony orchestra and personally meet all the fine conductors and coaches. Par-ents are also invited to attend. There will be an ice cream social afterwards, so our new friends can mingle with all the members of the symphony. Be thinking who you can invite from your school music class and other musician friends to come to the SIDE-BY-SIDE. There will be printed invita-tions to give to friends asking them to bring their instru-ment, giving directions on how to get to the First Christian Church, and telling what time rehearsals begin and end. Think about this…If every SOGO member brought one friend there would be over 150 guests attending!

Shoes - 5 pr1 x 5M2 x 7.5M1 x 61 x 8.5D

Belt - 130”

Pants - 222 x 10R1 x 12S3 x 12R1 x 14S1 x 14R1 x 16R2 x 18R1 x 29/?1 x 30/30

1 x 31.5/261 x 32/322 x 32.5/271 x 33/342 x 34/321 x 36/341 x 38/34

Shirts - 91 x 71 x 83 x 121 x 141 x 181 x M 32-331 x 15.5 32-33

Concert Clothing Sizes

CONCERT ATTIRE!Don’t get caught at the last minute.

The MEMBER HANDBOOK online has all the guidelines for appropriate attire for SOGO concerts. You might need some refresh-ing or are new to the organization and need help with what musicians can and can’t wear on stage at the Washington Center.

Many families have passed down their gently used concert clothing. Save some money and check out some of the clothing that we have available.

Check it out on October 30, 3 p.m. in the rehearsal lobby.

2011-2012 Student Board & Reps from Academy & Debut

Debut & Academy

Conservatory(Tux for guys)

How does a busy student keep up with everything AND do SOGO? Being a fairly busy student my-self, I too, have had to deal with the balancing act of my student life and participating at my best in SOGO. The solution is two simple words: time management. If a busy student can master the art of time management, he/she will be success-ful in all points in life.

SOGO is an important organization for students who want to play in a symphony orchestra that exceeds and challenges beyond the school level. Even before I was able to be in a school orchestra, I was in SOGO. This prepared me for statewide competitions and groups, and to be a leader in school orchestras. The fact of the matter is that SOGO is an important organization for aspiring young musicians like you and I.

Like I said, time management is imperative to being prosperous. The way I manage my time is by scheduling. Each night, before I go to bed, I write up a schedule for the following day. This way, when I get home from school, I have a rough outline for how I will spend the rest of my day. For example, this week, while I was writing this article, I had to set up a time in which I could write this article and still have enough time to complete all of my homework, practice my cello for an hour, and do all the other miscellaneous things before I go to bed. Within those blocks I plan how long I will work on each task. For example, before I practice my cello, I schedule how long I will work on each thing I practice for that day. This isn’t to say that I will follow my schedules to a T, but, like I said it gives me a rough outline to make sure I stay focused and on time.

When scheduling for events like quartet gigs, outside of school events, or orthodontist appointments, I use a calendar. This way, I can plan my “after school activities” around certain engagements. I also use my cal-endar to record big school events like field trips and big tests.

Organization, planning, and time management will help students be more successful and will help balance SOGO and busy student life.

Nolan Welch, cello ~ Student Board

Get concert tickets today

Olytix.org.

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

STUDENT BOARDDakota 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, Orchestra Festival Coord.

If you were at the Fall Arts Walk in downtown Olympia, you might have seen the SOGO Performance Art. Members of SOGO, with instruments in hand, ap-peared as mannequins in and outside of the VUE – vision uniquely experienced on 5th Avenue.

Student Board members Keadrin Dick and Nolan Welch met with interested SOGO members about participation and signing up for the event. Members, wearing SOGO wear, appeared in the store front window and out in the street. Passerbys stopped and took lots of pictures; once in a while a mannequin moved and even played a short tune!

If you have a business and want to bring more attention to your presence in the community, our Performance Art team would gladly come to visit – donations accepted. Contact Student Board member Keadrin Dick at studentorchestras@gmail.com

SOGO TEEs & Hoodies available!

Performance Art!What is it?

TUNE UP!

Concert Attire

Dress Rehearsal Nov. 6

Brass Choir 11:30-12:10

Debut 12:15-1:10

Academy 1:15-2:10

Conservatory 2:15-3:15

Free Fridays @ Hands On Chidren’s Museum.

SOGO will have an Instrument Petting Zoo and presentation about the upcoming concert on Friday, November 4 in the evening.

Don’t forget to place that order of poinsettias for the folks at the office!

Take the kids!