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First of its kind civic orchestra holds its inaugural concert.
GHPCO goes from quiet dream to audible reality. Allison Lind / of the Gateway 12/08/04
What was once only a passing dream is now an audible reality. After 38 years of dreaming,
David Wheeler’s vision of forming an orchestra of local community members began taking shape
earlier this year when Matthew Underwood brought up the idea, and the two set out to make it
happen. Now their dreams and hard work have paid off. |
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Growing together together Gig Harbor Peninsula Civic Orchestra matures as a group with more than 50 members in attendance the first year Michelle Rogers-Moore / of the Gateway 02/01/06 When Matthew Underwood handed out a packet of music during the first rehearsal of the Gig Harbor Peninsula Civic Orchestra, there was one piece that the group didn’t have the skills to play. That piece was “The March and Procession of Bacchus” and it will be heard at the civic orchestra’s next concert on March 25. “We, as an orchestra, as an entity, had grown,” Underwood said about his reaction when presenting the piece to the orchestra a second time. When the orchestra began in the fall of 2004, many people were pulling out their instruments they hadn’t played since high school, which for some was a few decades. Underwood said people were just rusty, and a piece like “The March and Procession of Bacchus” was too advanced for the ability and instrumentation the orchestra had at that time. But when Underwood presented that piece once again at a recent rehearsal, he said he received a different reaction from the musicians. He said he watched people’s eyes and many had a look of, “It sounds good, but it’s a little easy,” Underwood said. “We all kind of shared in a collective ‘aha’ moment – well, it was more of a ‘whoa,’” Underwood said with a laugh. That is what the past year-and-a-half has meant to the orchestra – growth and laughter. Underwood’s contagious personality seems to keep the group laughing during rehearsals. During a recent Thursday night rehearsal, the group was practicing its most difficult piece to date – Beethoven’s complete Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral.” They were focusing on the second movement. “With this piece, I know this movement particularly looks really scary,” Underwood said to the group, noting there was a lot of ink on the score. “I know it’s really intimidating, but don’t let it scare you.” After Underwood provided instruction and guidance as to how to play the piece, and answered a few questions, they played, with a few interruptions, continuously for about 15 minutes. “Isn’t this beautiful?” Underwood asked the members. “Not yet, but it’s getting there,” was the response from one member, who was laughing. But Underwood’s faith in the group and confidence in what they can accomplish is apparent, particularly to the orchestra’s members. “He’s actually one of the best directors I’ve worked with,” said violist and Port Orchard resident Barbara Ragile, one of the few members who lives outside Gig Harbor. Violinist Debi LaFleur, who’s been part of the orchestra since the second rehearsal, said she agrees and attributes much of the orchestra’s success to Underwood. “He is so passionate about this,” LaFleur said. “I really attribute (the success) to him.” Having fun Underwood’s passion and personality are key to the orchestra and has made it more than a place to play music. “It’s never a dull moment around here,” LaFleur said with a laugh. “Fun” was the word used by most of the orchestra members when talking about the orchestra, past and present. “I prefer this group by far because it’s fun,” LeFleur said, noting that she previously played in Tacoma Community College’s orchestra. Underwood agreed that this group has something unique. “In all of my time in being in music, I have not found such a friendly group of people,” Underwood said. Clarinetist Ed Smith said he likes coming to rehearsal each week and appreciates Underwood’s enthusiasm. “I enjoy it,” Smith said. “It’s just a lot of fun.” And that’s been Underwood’s goal since the beginning. “We’re just having a lot of fun,” Underwood said. “Playing great music well is always more fun than just kind of goofing around.” Beginnings It is not, nor has it always been, just fun, however. Underwood said he had the idea for an orchestra in mind for about five years before he and Gig Harbor resident Dave Wheeler had a conversation that included something like, “Gee, I’m really surprised there’s not a community orchestra in Gig Harbor,” Underwood said. Underwood said he hadn’t had the time to work on coordinating an orchestra, but within the week, Wheeler presented him with a general structure of the building of an orchestra. Underwood said the duo agreed there was enough artistic diversity in Gig Harbor to find people who would be interested in playing. “We probably had a lot of folks sitting around with dusty instruments,” Underwood said. At the first meeting, with about seven people, Underwood said he went on an emotional rollercoaster ride. His first feeling was excitement, but by the middle of the meeting he was feeling doubtful that his and Wheeler’s idea would come to life. Yet again his mind was changed by the end of the meeting and he was confident the orchestra would get started. What Underwood expected after that were nine people to kick off the orchestra and then maybe a gain of about three people per year for the next 10 years until they reached full capacity. However, about 25 people showed up for the first rehearsal once word got around, primarily through a Gateway article and word-of-mouth, Underwood said, and it has grown rapidly from there. “By our first concert, we already reached my 10-year goal,” Underwood said. LaFleur said she was equally amazed by the number of people who attended rehearsals prior to the inaugural concert. “Within two to three months, we were almost at full capacity,” LaFleursaid. “That’s probably the most exciting thing.” The first concert was another exciting event, according to LaFleur and Underwood. For Underwood, he felt like he had made an accomplishment as a conductor and teacher in bringing people who were “rusty” back to life with their instruments. “I believe we sounded great,” Underwood said of the first concert. LaFleur had additional observations during the first concert. She said she knew orchestra members who were 50 years old and had never performed at a concert. “It is just so cool to see how excited and nervous they get,” she said. Having a variety of ages was one of Underwood’s expectations, and an asset to the progress of the orchestra, members said. Since the initial rehearsal, people of all ages have joined, from high schoolers to 93-year-old Tacoma resident Glenn Reeves, a professional violist who’s played since age 7. “It’s nice sitting next to people who have more experience than you, ” 24-year-old Ragile said. From the first concert until the most recent in December 2005, the orchestra has generated a full house at the United Methodist Church, with about 250 to 350 attendees per concert. The present The diverse group is now up to about 50 members, with about 90 percent from Gig Harbor, Underwood said. The orchestra has a board and is not far from obtaining non-profit status, which board members and orchestra members are looking forward to. LaFleur serves as treasurer on the board and she said once non-profit status is secured, the orchestra will have more opportunities, such as being eligible for grants and purchasing music. "We can just do more," LaFleur said. Underwood agreed he is looking forward to obtaining non-profit status, as it has been a long process. Underwood came to the civic orchestra with three degrees from the University of Washington and more than 15 years of instrumental teaching at Charles Wright Academy and Tacoma Public Schools. Underwood currently teaches at Stadium High School in Tacoma and Meeker Middle School in Browns Point. |