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LITTLE BLACK BOX CONCERT 2:30pm, featuring DEBUT
Full House at the Messiah Sing-Along
volume 25 #2 February 2025
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RCHESTRATING the FUTURE Orchestral Fireworks:
From Messiah to Masterpieces
time I sit down to write one This repertoire represents a signifEthevery of these articles looking ahead to icant step up from what we pernext SOGO concert, I scratch my formed in November, as was the head and try to think about what’s new and exciting that I haven’t already talked about. Then I step onto the podium at rehearsal and the students surprise me once again with their dedication, hard work, and positive attitudes. I am reminded that it doesn’t matter what repertoire we play; the students are always worthy of your presence and support. In December, the Conservatory Orchestra once again participated in SOGO’s annual Messiah sing-along. With 90 players on stage and a completely packed house, it was a truly exhilarating evening, and I hope it was as memorable an experience for the students as it was for me. Conservatory is now hard at work on two firecrackers of the orchestral repertoire for our March 2nd concert: Pique Dame Overture by Franz von Suppè and Capriccio Espagnol by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. These composers, who were both experts on the capabilities of orchestral instruments, ask the musicians to employ some unusual techniques. Watch for the string players imitating guitars and dropping their bows onto the string from the air (this latter technique is called “saltando” or “ricochet”). Both pieces feature large percussion sections, and Capriccio Espagnol also includes several solo cadenzas. It is a piece I personally have loved since the age of 14, and this was the year I had all the right soloists to pull it off.
Messiah. For those who don’t know, even though we only play portions of Handel’s Messiah each year, it still adds up to about three times the amount of music the Conservatory Orchestra typically prepares for a concert. Students who stay in Conservatory multiple years of course have the benefit of their experience playing Messiah year after year, but a significant percentage of this year’s orchestra was encountering it for the first time. They rose to the challenge magnificently and are doing so again with the music for the March concert. While our new rehearsal schedule and use of two different buildings prevents me from observing all our groups as they rehearse, I hear great progress reports from my fellow conductors, and I am so grateful to each of them and to our wonderful Teaching Artists for their expertise and commitment to our students. Enrollment continues to inch upward, and I can tell that our ensembles are headed towards another splendid performance on March 2nd. I know that I always say that our concerts are not to be missed, but that’s because it’s true! So, get your tickets now and be sure to arrive early; a special surprise awaits the first 200 people through the door. That’s all I will say for now. See you soon!
STUDENT’S VOICE
Music Director & Conductor
he SOGO student board is made up the younger orchestras. ing, “I’m so grateful that I decided to Tportant of teenage musicians who find it imaudition and join…SOGO has made an to have a student’s voice heard Their time in SOGO, agreed by all three amazing impact on my musical journey.” among the adult board. These students speak on behalf of SOGO musicians during the monthly board meetings and agreed to answer some questions for this article. Each student board member joined SOGO for different reasons, from wanting to improve their skills to a friend who invited them, or parents insisted!! Allison joined in 2017, and both Zoey and Isabella joined in 2022, working up through the ranks as representatives of
students, has made them each a much better musician. Isabella said, “SOGO has drastically improved my musical skills and my love for my instrument.”
The students had the most to say about what they would express to someone interested in joining SOGO. From Allison’s “SOGO makes you a better musician,” and Isabella’s, “it’s magical to be appreciated and feel belonging in SOGO, which I never thought possible.” Zoey remembered her fear of audition-
To our community, Allison invites you to “Come [to the concert] because it’s a showcase of genuine talent of young musicians.” Zoey says, “There is something for everyone in the audience to experience!” Student Board and Representatives are voted in during September and have been the core of SOGO’s mission since its beginning in 2000.
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