Southwest Washington Symphony opens season with Rogers & Hammerstein tribute
Thursday, October 4, 2007 7:35 AM PDT
By Tom Paulu
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E-mail this articleCatchy show tunes and a piece that teaches about orchestral instruments will be on the program for the Southwest Washington Symphony's first concert of the season.
The symphony and some of the local area's most accomplished singers will join forces for a tribute to Rodgers and Hammerstein, who wrote the beloved American musicals "South Pacific", "Oklahoma!" and "The Sound of Music."
For the music-lesson portion, the symphony will perform "The Young People's Guide to the Orchestra" by Benjamin Britten, one of England's most accomplished 20th-century composers.
As of Wednesday, about 200 tickets remained for Sunday afternoon concert in the 1,000-seat Columbia Theatre.
Brian Mitchell, a Longview music teacher who is one of the soloists, said Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II launched the golden age of American musicals.
"Their influence on the musical world is huge," Mitchell said.
Composer Rodgers and lyricist Hammerstein wrote tunes that endure because they're so catchy, Mitchell said. "They're things that would get stuck in your head. They're very recognizable."
"They're not necessarily predictable melodies," said Alison Askeland, also a music teacher and concert soloist. "They're just memorable, the ones you're humming after the show."
The program includes about 10 of Rodgers and Hammerstein's greatest hits, including:
-- "Some Enchanted Evening," "Nothing Like a Dame" and "Bali Hai" from the musical "South Pacific."
-- "My Favorite Things," "Do-Re-Mi" and the title tune from "The Sound of Music."
-- "Oh What a Beautiful Morning," "People Will Say We're in Love" and the title song from "Oklahoma!"
The song arrangements are "pretty much straight from the musicals," said symphony conductor Ryan Heller.
The soloists are all veterans of local musicals and concerts.
Mitchell teaches vocal music at Mark Morris High School and has taught at LCC. He's been vocal director of several musicals at Mainstage Theatre -- though none by Rodgers and Hammerstein
Askeland directs the choirs at R.A. Long High School and had a role in the Longview Stageworks' production of "Nunsensations."
Barbara Futrell has sung in numerous local productions of musicals and classical pieces, and teaches voice privately.
Dennis Boaglio is a music teacher at Beacon Hill Elementary School and has had lead roles in several local musicals.
Bob Giles is pastor at the Faith Family Christian Center and his wife, Vickie, is a dispatcher/driver trainer for the Longview School District. Over they years they've sung in numerous musicals, including the leads in a Mainstage's "South Pacific."
Along with "Some Enchanted Evening," concert-goers will get some education, too.
Britten wrote "Young People's Guide to the Orchestra" in 1945 for a British Ministry of Education film. Though Britten wrote operas and full-fledged orchestral works, this work to teach children about musical instruments is one of his best-known pieces.
Based on a theme by the 17th-century composer Henry Purcell, the Britten work moves the melody around among the instruments, with explanation from a narrator. "He deconstructs it, instrument by instrument," said Heller, who will provide the narration. The piece "finishes off with a devilish fugue," Heller said.
As it does every year, the symphony will play an abbreviated version of the pops concert for local fourth and fifth graders today at the Columbia Theater. Unlike the oldsters who hear the show on Sunday, the children will be urged to sing along with "Do-Re-Me."
Heller is returning for his fourth season leading the symphony. There isn't much turnover in members this season, he said. "Musically, it is the strongest start we've had."
It's one of four groups Heller is directing this season. He also leads the Columbia Chorale of Oregon, based in St. Helens; the Pride of Portland, a 125-woman chorus; and a new professional group called the Portland Vocal Consort.
The symphony will do its first three concerts of the season at the Columbia Theatre. The fourth will be at R.A. Long High School, where the larger stage can accommodate students from local high schools who will join the symphony for several numbers in May.
Lower Columbia College's new performing arts center, which is scheduled to be ready by spring, will have a 500-seat auditorium with fine acoustics. Symphony president Gary Lindstrom said the symphony will consider playing in the LCC hall if it's available.
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