OCMA Newsletter – November 2018

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2018 Festival Summary

Thank you for your support of the Oregon Coast Music Association’s 40th anniversary! The enthusiasm from membership, sponsors, musicians, host families, and community audiences contributed again to our resounding success musically and financially. In June, the pre-festival benefit concert at the Hales Center featured Duo Amabile musicians Steven Moeckel (festival concertmaster) and Paula Fan, piano. Their program included two impeccably performed Beethoven Sonatas. In July, our Festival Kick-off concert by the Bay Area Concert Band in Mingus Park celebrated the long-time partnership of OCMA with local musicians. Jazz musician and educator Darrell Grant returned to the Festival with his All 4 Naught Trio and guest vocalist Dannielle Barker in the gorgeous setting of the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology’s Boat House. On Sunday, the Festival Orchestra arrived for their week long stay to renew old friendships and enjoy the unique south Oregon Coast environment. Music Director James Paul, and Associate Conductor Adam Stern provided their enthusiastic leadership once again. The three concerts in Marshfield auditorium were well appreciated for their artistic interpretation and quality. The Coos Bay Library was the location for Adam Stern’s luncheon lectures before each of the two classical and the pops concerts.

Click here to visit the 2018 Festival Archive page

2018 Photo Highlights

Many thanks to OCMA member Frank Price for providing photos of our 2018 festival events at the Boathouse, Marshfield Auditorium’s three concerts and a rehearsal. Many of these photos are posted on the OCMA website and several musicians took home prints for their own collection. Frank started his photography in junior high school, and began a serious venture in digital photography about 20 years ago. He has provided quality photos for exhibits in the region, primarily landscapes. His images of river plants and habitats are part of displays at the New River Nature Center south of Bandon. The portraits of our musicians and festival events were welcomed by all of us. Frank and wife Nancy have been leaders and strong supporters of the OCMA festival for many years.

Click here to visit the 2018 Festival Archive page

Nick Lowell Plays in Festival Orchestra

Local trumpet player Nick Lovell joined the OCMA Festival Orchestra this summer in the Pops and final Orchestra Concerts. Nick, a native of Coos Bay, graduated from Marshfield High. He received formal training in music performance at Portland State University and worked for several years in Portland before deciding to return to Coos Bay in 2014. Since his return, he has played with the Bay Area Community Band, and with brass ensembles with local musicians at several venues. He is especially passionate about musicals and was part of the band for performances of Shrek the Musical, Cinderella, and others with the Little Theatre on the Bay. He was a member of the band for October performances of Cabaret at the Dolphin Theatre in Empire. Other musicians in the band were Ida Jo Gates on keyboards, Mike Reiter on percussion, Quila Doyle on string bass, and Serena Waters-Collier, Clarinet. Nick’s days are spent as the IT specialist at Bay Eye Clinic where he maintains their network, and troubleshoots computer issues for their employees.

David Gedosh joins Southwest Oregon Community College Music Program

With the retirement of OCMA board member Ida Jo Gates, Southwest Oregon Community College searched for a new director. They selected David Gedosh, a composer, guitarist, audio engineer, and educator specializing in music technology. Gedosh earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in music composition with a specialization in computer music from the University of North Texas, and B.M.A. and M.M. degrees in music composition from the University of Oklahoma.

Early plans for the music program at SOCC include revitalizing the existing program, inclusion of music technology related courses including audio production and electronic music composition. His goals are to work towards a greater integration with other artistic programs, and hopefully an increase in public performances and other artistic endeavors.

Gedosh’s stereo and multi-channel works have been performed throughout North America, Latin America, and Europe. He can be reached at david.gedosh@socc.edu.

41st Season to Premier Composition by Runestad

In June of 2016, friends of Maestro James Paul, celebrating the Maestro’s Silver Anniversary as Music Director of the Oregon Coast Music Festival, proposed the idea of commissioning a new composition for the Festival orchestra in his honor. James was pleased with the idea, and suggested Jake Runestad be approached to compose the piece. James had collaborated successfully with Jake before on a new piece, and was thrilled with the results. Although things often seem to move slowly in the world of classical music, we are excited to announce the results of this collaboration will premiere at our 2019 summer Festival.

Composer Jake Runestad has developed a versatile and prolific career creating works for orchestra, wind band, chorus, chamber ensembles, and opera and holds a Master’s degree in composition from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University where he studied with Pulitzer Prize winning composer Kevin Puts. He also studied extensively with acclaimed composer Libby Larsen. A native of Rockford, IL, Mr. Runestad is currently based in Minneapolis, MN and his music is published by JR Music.

When asked about this project, Maestro Runestad replied, “I am thrilled to be writing a new orchestral work in honor of James Paul and his tenure with the Oregon Coast Music Festival. It is a great joy to celebrate this esteemed conductor and ensemble through music, and I look forward to being in Coos Bay for the premiere next summer.”

The premier is commissioned by Elizabeth and Justus Schlichting of Laguna Beach, CA. Look for more details in future newsletters.

Transitions in Board and Office Support

The new fiscal year for OCMA brings several transitions. As announced during the festival, OCMA Co-Presidents Mark Henderson and Theresa Brown relocated to the Midwest. Long-time board members Ron Metzger and Ginny Tabor have taken a break from directorship in OCMA, but both promised to continue support for special events as needed. We will miss them very much and are grateful for their many years of service! Our board welcomed new members: Jay Flaxman as treasurer and Victoria Simpson as director. In addition, Wendy Higgins began as Administrative Coordinator in September, replacing retiring Loree Gehrke. Wendy and her family relocated to the coast late last year from Arizona for her husband Gary’s work. They have two adult sons, Cody and Dawson. Wendy was drawn to the area because of the weather and landscapes, and the wonderful OCMA Festival Posters displayed at the Pancake Mill. She is very excited to be part of OCMA and is looking forward to her first Festival. She works part time Tuesday through Friday in the office. 541-267-0938; staff@oregoncoastmusic.org

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