The air in Thurston County is changing as we transition from spring to summer, students graduate, and arts companies close their 2024-25 seasons. There is something bittersweet about these moments, and it is perfectly captured in the definition of “commencement.”
Commencement is a term often used in tandem with graduation, marking the ending and completion of an education. However, there is another definition that describes a beginning or start. Maybe commencement is best thought of as a coin we all carry inside us as we go through the various seasons of life.
I invite you to reflect on the idea of commencement as you read about South Puget Sound Community College concerts coming up this week, and read my review of Studio West Dance Academy's (SWDA) Spring Showcase last weekend.
The theme and title “Forevermore” is inspired by timeless themes experienced in life, including commencement, death, rebirth, and “the things that come next.” Regardless of the phase of life you are in, there will be something for everyone.
Conducting both combined pieces, Orchestra Director Cameron May gave me some insight into why these pieces are rare and highly ambitious.
The "Liszt" is rarely performed and has only been recorded as a solo piano performance. May describes the piece as a sort of “choose your own adventure” for musicians because it is written in a way that allows ensembles to make creative choices about what instruments to include, whether to include a choir, and which ending to play.
Along with the Liszt, SPSCC Music will be breaking their own record with 160-plus performers on stage for "Mahler 2." With its rarities, this concert might be a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Prior to the combined pieces, each choir will be performing a small set of their own, then combine for a rendition of a famous Appalachian folk song. Choral director John Guarente chose a couple of pieces for the chamber singers with lyrics derived from famous poets, including W.B. Yeats and Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore.
The orchestra will be playing an original piece by SPSCC alumni Isaac Dorcy titled "Four Landscapes.” Appropriate to its title, this piece will contain four movements each inspired by a different painting by Danish artist Peder Mønk Mønsted. Similar to Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” each movement and painting correspond with a season, beginning with spring and ending with winter.
Join me in the audience for this concert on June 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center (KJM). Admission is a suggested $15 donation at the door.
A few days after “Forevermore,” SPSCC’s Jazz Band and Combos will be performing their spring concert. Every jazz concert is titled after the season they are performing in and is inclusive of a variety of styles and eras of jazz.
Jazz Band Director Brad Schrandt described how the musicians collaborate and get to have a voice in choosing the music they perform.
The large ensemble gets to sample several songs before they choose the final pieces for their concert. The smaller ensembles get an even more active role in directly choosing their music and creating their own arrangements.
The camaraderie and sense of freedom created by Schrandt in this ensemble is very refreshing. Reflecting on this, Schrandt stated, “One of the main ingredients of jazz is communication (and) we strive to connect with each other as musicians.”
Jazz itself is an acquired taste, but the spirit of friendship and empowerment that comes from musicianship is something we can all use more of in our lives.
The concert is June 10 at 7:30 p.m. at KJM with a suggested $15 donation at the door.
Without a doubt, everyone at SWDA had to be the busiest people in town last weekend, performing six different programs to showcase all their wonderful performers in a variety of dance styles. Their efforts were ambitious, and they achieved a highly successful and very enjoyable program.
The way they combined certain styles of dances with seemingly contradictory styles of music, and then created something magnificent and original was very admirable.
One of my favorite pieces included tap dancers performing to Tori Kelly’s cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry 'Bout a Thing.” These dancers reminded me that with good imagination and hard work, you can achieve anything and make this world a better place through your originality.
I cannot wait to see SWDA’s next season!
Rachel Benton is a columnist, freelance writer, performing arts enthusiast and a Thurston County local. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in History and Political Science and minor in Music. When not writing or enjoying the arts, Rachel can be found spending time with her family, friends and two golden retriever puppies (Elliot and Ernie).
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