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Olympia Symphony Orchestra (OSO) Administrative Assistant, Jennifer Hermann, says “Olympia is a vibrant arts community with diverse music and dance groups of all genres and ages contributing to our community’s rich cultural experience.” To mark OSO’s tenth annual Festival on the Green, the orchestra expanded the free concert and invited a number of other local dance and music ensembles to share the stage and the lawn.

Festival on the Green, with live music suitable for all ages, will take place on Sunday, July 31, 2016 from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The event is free.

capital heating and cooling“We are grateful for the opportunity to perform on the Capitol Campus every summer as a gift to our community,” says Hermann. The orchestra sees this as a way to celebrate artistic collaboration and diversity. “We believe the arts can unite a divided world, and we chose to use this occasion and venue to make that important step,” she says.

Among the groups invited to participate is Ballet Northwest. Their portion of the program will feature 20 dancers performing pieces from a variety of different genres from ballet to contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, and tap.

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Huw Edwards conducts the Olympia Symphony Orchestra during their annual free concert at the Capitol Campus. Photo courtesy: Olympia Symphony Orchestra.

Ken Johnson, Co-Artistic Director of Ballet Northwest thinks collaboration between local arts organizations is vital for the community. The festival is not the first time the OSO and Ballet Northwest have joined forces. “The symphony has accompanied our spring production twice, first with ‘Carnival of the Animals’ and other premiere works and this spring with ‘Coppelia,’ he says. “Likewise, we’ve provided dancers to perform in front of the symphony on two of their concerts over the years. It’s great for the artists from all the groups, as well as the audience!”

The Conservatory Orchestra of the Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia (SOGO) will be performing pieces that even those not familiar with classical music may recognize. The theme from “Star Wars,” by John Williams, “Procession of the Nobles,” by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, and “World Music,” by David Maslanka should appeal to even the youngest attendees.

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If you are planning on attending the free music concert, Festival on the Green, on Sunday, be sure to pack water, blankets and chairs. Photo courtesy: Olympia Symphony Orchestra.

SOGO’s 52-member Conservatory Orchestra, under the musical direction of John Welsh, features the group’s most advanced players. A few Conservatory musicians will also be performing with the OSO, says Krina Allison, SOGO’s Executive Director. “When we work together, we not only provide our young musicians an enriched experience, but also our concert audience,” says Allison.

Annually, SOGO presents the Community Messiah Sing-Along and the Instrument Petting Zoo, both free and open to the public.  “We are very grateful to the Olympia Symphony Orchestra, Maestro Edwards and the OSO Board of Directors for inviting us for yet another opportunity to express our appreciation to the community for their support of the arts,” says Allison.

Johnson sees the Festival as a great opportunity for those who may have never experienced a live performance. Exposure is key to introducing people to new and alternative art forms. “It’s critical to build future audiences and break down barriers, so it’s not viewed as an elitist art form,” he says of ballet. But his words ring true for classical orchestral music, too. And those who love traditional music and dance may be inspired by some of the more off-beat and ethnically diverse groups.

symphony free concert
There are 70 members of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra that will be performing at Festival on the Green on Sunday, July 31. Photo courtesy: Olympia Symphony Orchestra.

Other performing groups include: Samba OlyWA, an amateur percussion and dance group dedicated to building community through the learning and sharing of Samba and other rhythms; the Japanese American Citizen League Dancers; Oly Flamenco; Pinniped, traditional acoustic Celtic music; Olympia Youth Chorus; and the Olympia Highlanders Pipes & Drums. A complete Festival on the Green program, including times the various groups will be performing can be found on the OSO website.

The 70 member OSO will be the final group of the day, taking the stage at 6:15 p.m. and playing for approximately and hour and a half. Maestro Huw Edwards says he has chosen pieces that will work well in an outdoor/tent setting, include a variety of fun styles from a number of different composers. “We always start with a rare Sousa March, this year being ‘The Invincible Eagle,’ then some short pieces by Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, and music by Grieg, Mascagni and the American, Howard Hanson. It has become a tradition now that we play the Armed Forces Salute, a wonderful piece that blends American favorites with the Service Songs from the five branches of the military.” This year, as every year, Edwards has chosen some more contemporary music to include as well. This year the concert will include a Beatles Medley. “It ends with ‘When I’m 64,’” he says. It’s appropriate as the OSO is about to start its 64th Season.

In the past, Festival on the Green attendance has ranged from between 2,000 and 3,000 patrons. “Since this is an all day long event with multiple collaborations, we’re expecting a much higher attendance,” says OSO Acting Manager Piper Leslie. In addition to all the performances, there will be children’s games and activities that are free of charge. Food vendors will include: Boka Island FusionP&J Waffle DelightRicardo’s RestaurantBatdorf & Bronson, The Nutty Ice Haus, and Pope John Paul II High School Booster Club selling strawberry shortcake.

Attendees should bring lawn chairs or a blanket, and plenty of water.  As a reminder the event is free.

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The weather is expected to be sunny for Sunday’s Festival on the Green. Photo courtesy: Olympia Symphony Orchestra.

“The Olympia Symphony Orchestra is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization,” says Hermann. “We rely on the financial support of donors, sponsors, and funders to operate. We present five performances in The Washington Center for the Performing Arts each season, with tickets ranging in price from $10-$55. Ticket sales cover roughly 30% of our operating budget, so we must continually ask for support and rely on the financial generosity of those who believe in our mission.”

“We believe it is important to reciprocate the generosity we receive, and annually offer a free concert to our community,” summarizes Hermann. “Every year we are excited to see our returning patrons, as well as hundreds of new faces, young and old. By offering this performance free of charge, we hope expand the reach and accessibility of classical music to a larger, more diverse, audience.”

Thrifty Thurston highlights inexpensive family fun in Thurston County. The weekly series focuses on family-friendly activities throughout our community. If you have a suggestion for a post, send us a note at submit@thurstontalk.com. For more events and to learn what’s happening in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and the surrounding area, visit our complete event calendar.

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