Summer Symphony in full swing
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FAIRMONT -- Tune into Summer Symphony, which will perform its free annual concert at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, at the Red Rock Center for the Arts in Fairmont.
"It's been really cool to watch not only the growth but also the connections," Director Katie Hoaglund remarked.
The approximately 35-musician orchestra, founded by Hoaglund in the summer of 2019, has rehearsed since early June at Fairmont Elementary School. Hoaglund said the orchestra consists of musicians in grade 8 to adults, including siblings, family, coworkers, friends, and people from and outside the Fairmont area. She said that rehearsals have gone very well.
"The musicians are all special. I love them all. I like to highlight how many different relationships there are, whether it be siblings, a couple, mother-daughter, coworkers, friends, people who are from outside of the area that come in and play. Just the interrelatedness, musically and otherwise, is really cool, and that brings, I think, kind of a familial aspect to rehearsal. So, I think it gives it kind of a comfortable atmosphere. I hope that's the goal," Hoaglund said.
Summer Symphony will perform a repertoire of diverse orchestral selections, curated and crowd-sourced by its own musicians and audience members; songs that they would like to perform or hear.
"I think it's really cool because we know that everything we’re playing is there because somebody picked it, and so I think that helps us respect what we're playing because it's coming from a person. It helps us build an appreciation for it because somebody in the room already wanted to play. And so then, it's not only discovering the piece, but also, 'Why did this person pick it?' 'Why do they like it so much?' It's cool discovering the fun, little hidden surprises of everything as we learn together," Hoaglund explained.
Hoaglund, who's been the director since Summer Symphony's inception, is also the orchestra teacher at Fairmont Area Schools and a longtime musician herself. She has been motivated to continue this passion for many reasons.
"I'm really committed to the community aspect and I absolutely love the mentorship that happens when members of the community that aren't in school music get to sit alongside my students that I see in class. Additionally, the full-orchestra aspect. It's another opportunity to play with string and wind together, making a big loud sound. It's just always fun," Hoaglund said.
She cited the Summer Symphony's strength as a group as a testament to the tenacity and talent of its musicians.
"I think it speaks very highly of the people that commit to it, and when people come and hear the show, I think they can also see the passion and the dedication of people who are just doing this for the love of the game. I think that makes it a special show," Hoaglund said.
She said the community can support the Summer Symphony by attending the performance on Wednesday, and that she and the musicians are anticipating it.
"I think it's really special to perform in the Red Rock because the audience is right there, and we can see each other. It doesn't happen when we're in a larger space with the lights off, and there's, I think, a greater sense of connection when we're all in the room together and experience the same sounds right up close," Hoaglund said.
Summer Symphony welcomes new musicians, who have some musical experience, for upcoming summers. Those who are interested can contact Hoaglund at hoaglund.katie@gmail.com.