PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra has accepted a $2,500 donation from 1st Security Bank of Washington for Adventures in Music, its education program serving schools across the North Olympic Peninsula.
“This support gives AIM a great boost as we move into spring,” said Jonathan Pasternack, the Symphony’s music director and conductor.
He noted that the AIM program, which has for many years sent musical ensembles to perform live in schools, is adapting to pandemic-era learning.
To start, program director Al Harris produced a short concert-and-conversation video called “The String Family.” He’s sent it, along with curricular materials about the string players who bring classical music alive, to teachers all over Clallam and Jefferson counties.
Links to the video and handouts also are available free at PortAngeles Symphony.org under the Education link.
In the video, a string quartet appears: violinists Marina Rosenquist of Port Townsend and Jory Noble of Port Angeles, violist Tyrone Beatty of Sequim and cellist Traci Winters Tyson of Port Angeles. Together they introduce excerpts from Antonin Dvorak’s “American Quartet,” and then each talks about what music means in their lives.
“While many of the Symphony’s operations have been suspended, it was important to maintain AIM, and bring fun, informative performances to local kids,” Pasternack said.
“Al Harris has produced an entertaining show about the string instruments of the orchestra, featuring some of the top players in our region. The result is a video kindergartners on up to sixth-graders — and adults — can enjoy,” he added.
“I am so grateful to be part of AIM,” added Tyson, who teaches music in the Port Angeles School District. Remote learning has been hard for everyone, she said. Sharing music, even online, has helped.
“Our videos are no replacement for the in-person visits to schools,” Pasternack acknowledged. “But they help give some continuity to our mission of sharing music education.”
More videos will be produced this year and shared with educators across the Peninsula, Pasternack said, adding that AIM is supported completely by grants and donations like the one from 1st Security Bank.
For more about the Port Angeles Symphony’s offerings — including the Applause! Auction on March 12 and online recitals this spring, see Port AngelesSymphony.org, email PASymphony@olypen.com, or phone 360-457-5579.
