Submitted by Olympia Symphony Orchestra
The Olympia Symphony’s free outdoor concert returns this weekend, but in a new location, at a new time, and with a new focus. This summer the Olympia Symphony is spotlighting student musicians, and will feature over 135 youth from Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia. The side-by-side collaborative concert will include performances by the Olympia Symphony, Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia (SOGO), and Marrowstone Music Festival (of Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra).
The Olympia Symphony (OSO) has performed their free outdoor concert at the Capitol Campus since 2006. The move to Heritage Park, on Capitol Lake, is part of the symphony’s efforts to reach more people with music. “The move brings music where the community is, and allows us to partner with local downtown businesses. For example, Octapas Cafe will have a walk-up food and drink area open for the audience. They will donate a portion of their profits all day Saturday for each purchaser who mentions the Symphony,” said executive director Jennifer Hermann.
The OSO has a longstanding relationship with SOGO, but the partnership with Marrowstone Music Festival is new this year. “We were approached by Marrowstone because they were looking for a collaborative opportunity with a professional orchestra,” explained Hermann, “We love collaborating with youth whenever possible. It’s good for the kids and it’s good for the adults. We then contacted SOGO to see if they were also interested, and the stars all aligned.”
“The opportunity to create something beautiful together with friends whom we have just met is one of the most exhilarating and inspiring moments in one’s life. We can hardly wait for the time, music, and moments we will share together,” shared SOGO executive director Krina Allison.
The July 23 concert will be conducted by Cameron May (SOGO) and Juan Felipe Molano (SYSO). The OSO’s newly hired Music Director, Alexandra Arrieche, will not be able to attend due to a prior concert commitment in Europe. However, the concert will feature a third conductor, a student, Minh Thi Phan Butler, making her public conducting debut.
In June, symphony donors sponsored an opportunity for a student to learn conducting. Their wish was for the experience to be given to a young female music student. Months earlier, when Arrieche was auditioning for the OSO’s music director position, she rehearsed with the students of SOGO. Before concluding her visit, she asked if a student would like to try conducting their peers. Principal oboist Minh Thi Phan Butler, a senior at Hoquiam High School, volunteered. Arrieche recognized a special talent in her, and the OSO later selected her to be the recipient of the sponsored opportunity. She received conducting lessons from both Cameron May and Alexandra Arrieche, and will conduct the “Galop” from Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld (the famous “Can-Can” theme). Phan Butler will attend the University of Washington in the fall, pursuing a degree in Music Education.
Other pieces on the 2:00 program include the U.S. National Anthem, Beethoven’s “Coriolan Overture,” a medley of tunes from “Mamma Mia!,” Holst’s “Jupiter” from The Planets, Saint-Saens’ Introduction and Rondo Cappriccioso (featuring violin soloist Lauren Roth), Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade,” and Marquez’s “Conga del Fuego Nuevo.” Olympia Boy Scout Troop 9048 will provide a color guard. The concert will last approximately 90 minutes.
Street parking is free, and limited ADA parking will be available near the concert location. The musicians will be performing under a large tent in the grassy lawn across from Views on Fifth. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, an umbrella for shade, and a picnic meal from a nearby downtown restaurant.
The concert is generously sponsored by Capital Heating & Cooling and William Pope, Attorney at Law. Donations are gratefully accepted in support of the Olympia Symphony’s mission to enrich, educate, and entertain. The OSO is a 501c3 charitable nonprofit organization, committed to community collaboration and artistic excellence.
For more information, please visit the Olympia Symphony Orchestra website.
