SEQUIM — The Sequim Community Orchestra will conclude its 2018 season with its ninth annual spring concert at 7 tonight at Trinity United Methodist Church.
The concert is free but donations will be accepted at the door at 100 S. Blake Ave.
In a news release, the orchestra stated that
“With each concert, our music director, Phil Morgan-Ellis, tries to find something different for us to do,” said Beth Pratt, president of the Sequim Community Orchestra Board.
“We have performed some operatic pieces with local singers, played original work by local musician Kate Powers, even included a harp from time to time. But, this concert may be the most special.”
The concert is special for the orchestra because long-time “strings coach” Mary Moon, who sat as principal violin with the Port Angeles Symphony for many years, will perform as a soloist.
“Romance” by Beethoven is the piece Moon selected, and the orchestra will play the original score in accompaniment. Usually, the SCO performs abridged or music arranged for youth orchestras.
“I have played violin for 54 years,” Moon said.
“In all of those years, I have played a solo that was built into an orchestral piece when I was the concert master for the Port Angeles Symphony, I have played a solo as a duet with another violinist accompanied by an orchestra and as part of a sextet accompanied by an orchestra. However, in all of these years I have never played as a soloist by myself with an orchestra. I have always wanted to do this.
“During this concert [tonight], I get to. I hope that my family and friends can all come out to cheer me on.”
In addition to the piece the orchestra will perform with Moon, several young musicians will join the ensemble for this concert.
Young artist winner Lauren Waldron will solo on viola during a performance of Hindemith’s “Trauermusik,” and the youth orchestra of the SCO String Kids program will perform “1812 Overture” together with the ensemble.
“We are mostly excited to see what our strings coordinator, Emma Mitchell, has worked out to approximate the sound of cannon fire,” Pratt said.
The donations that the SCO receives at concerts provides about a quarter of the income that pays for the Strings Kids program.
“From the beginning, our goal has been to keep string music education free to the families of our students,” Pratt said.
After the performance, the students and their families will hold a bake sale and provide refreshments for concert goers.
“We love how involved our students and their families have been in the program, now at the end of our fifth year. They support our program, and we help their young musicians grow,” she said.
This concert also marks the end of Pratt’s tenure as president of the nonprofit’s board.
“Serving this organization for the past three years as president has been an honor, but it is time to hand off the baton,” she said.
“The program is healthy, streamlined, and has great support. It will be my pleasure to introduce our new executive board at the concert,” she said.
Pratt will remain on the board as past president for one year.
For more information, contact Pratt at 360-460-7368 or by email at president@sequimcommunity orchestra.org.
