Top of the News
Board of Directors Meeting
The Board met June 8, 2024, to discuss our just-completed season and begin planning for the 2024-25 season.
[view the minutes]
Board of Directors decisions
The Board met on July 22 and made several decisions:
** Rehearsals will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 12
** The concert will be on Sunday afternoon, December 10
** Rodrigo Gonzalez-Jacob and Tyler Boorman will share the conducting role
A Changing of the Guard
We were sad to learn that Jon Bridges is having to step down. We’re grateful, though, that he was able to give us good leadership and energy over the past year. We’re also grateful that, with his support, we’ll be able to stay in our rehearsal and performance spaces at Springfield High School.
Replacing him will be Tyler Boorman, a trumpeter and substitute conductor with the Eugene Symphonic Band. He will begin with us in the fall. The Board of Directors voted unanimously to hire him after experiencing his baton at the May 30 rehearsal.
End-of-the-Year Party — June 6
Let’s celebrate a successful concert and the beginning of our summer break and enjoy some social time! We have a reservation at Roaring Rapids Pizza Company on Tuesday, June 6. We can arrive any time after 5:30.
We’ll have tables reserved on the terrace overlooking the river. This is a no-host affair, so everyone buys their own dinner. Unlike last year, this will not be a fundraiser.
No need to RSVP, just hope for nice weather and plan to come and bring a guest.
Roaring Rapids Pizza Company
4006 Franklin Boulevard
Eugene, Oregon 97403
Annual Meeting and Elections
On May 16, at our annual meeting, treasurer Gabriela Cuevas reported on the orchestra’s finances for 2022. Any questions can be directed to her.
We also elected a slate of officers and board members. Because there were no contested positions, the orchestra voted to accept the slate by acclamation.
Spring term rehearsals begin on April 4, 2023
Enrollment is capped
On March 7, 2023, the Board of Directors voted to not take on new members for spring term. Only those currently playing will be able to participate. We have reached our capacity given the physical space in both the rehearsal and performance venues. We will be reaching out to former members and new applicants in the future as space allows.
BJ Novitski
ESCO Secretary
Rehearsals begin again on January 10, 2023.
Congratulations!
Dear ESCO players,
Congratulations on a delightful concert on the 4th. My partner, who has been coming to ESCO concerts for many years, said we’ve never sounded better. We received $253 in donations from your friends and family, thank you! The ushers reported an audience size of about 130, maybe a record.
Happy Holidays,
BJ Novitski, cello
ESCO Secretary
BOARD ELECTIONS
At the November 8 rehearsal, elections were held for ESCO officers and Board of Directors. A slate of self-nominated candidates was accepted by acclamation.
FULL ORCHESTRA IS BACK!
The orchestra is starting up this week! I’m looking forward to seeing you all on Tuesday September 13, 7-8:30 p.m at the Springfield High School band room. Rehearsals will continue every Tuesday evening through Nov. 29. The concert will be on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 4.
** When you come on Tuesday, don’t forget to bring your vax card if you haven’t already shown it. Without it you won’t be able to play with us. Masks are strongly encouraged when feasible. Also bring a pencil and tape. You don’t need to bring a music stand.
** Printed parts will be distributed at the first rehearsal. Those of you who played with us in Jan and Feb of 2020, bring the music we were playing at the time. We’ll continue with some of it.
** Fall term repertoire will include:
Don Giovanni Overture, Mozart
“Saturday Night Waltz” from Rodeo, Copland
“Masks” and “The Montagues and the Capulets” from Romeo and Juliet, Prokofiev
Fandango, Perkins
and more
** Parking and directions to the band room have changed from past years. I’ve detailed them below.
** I’m attaching a draft version of the roster. Please check your entry and let me know of any edits/ additions. Addresses are optional but can be handy when planning carpools.
** To explore the Members area of our website. <https://www.escorchestra.org> go to the Members menu. Password: Holst6522
** Dues are $30 for the term. Read about how to pay here: <https://www.escorchestra.org/dues>
** The concert will be the afternoon of Sunday Dec. 4. If you won’t be able to make the concert, you’re still welcome to rehearse with us.
See you soon!
BJ Novitski
Note from the Conductor
Thank you to all the ESCO members who rehearsed for and performed at our concert in June! It was a wonderful performance from everyone, and set the stage for a return to our full symphony in the Fall! Thank you as well for your vote of confidence in having me back as your conductor, I look forward to picking out and sharing our next set of music soon. I hope you all have a wonderful summer!
Vote of Confidence
When we first invited Jon Bridges to be our conductor, based on the recommendation of Richard Long, our former conductor, it was an executive decision by the Board of Directors and had no input from other players. It was decided that after one term, players would have a chance to give their opinion. In a poll after the June 5 concert, 70% of string players responded and, of those, 100% voted to invite Jon to continue with us.
Congratulations, Jon! We’re looking forward to playing music again in the fall.
BJ Novitski
Secretary/Treasurer
We’re Back!
(strings at least)
The Eugene Springfield Community Orchestra will start up again, strings only, on Tuesday April 12. The rehearsals will go from 7pm to 8:30 in the Springfield High School band room. The door will open at 6:30.
Players are asked to wear masks and bring proof of Covid vaccination. Music is available for download. Please print your parts before the first rehearsal.
Note from our new conductor
Hello ESCO Members! I am honored to be able to direct this ensemble and will do my best to live up to the standard of excellence Richard has established over the years!
Thanks for sticking with us as we navigate through the unknowns of returning to music making, I can't wait to meet you all and see what we can accomplish together!
Jon Bridges
ESCO Conductor
Band Director, Springfield HS
541-744-4395
Note from the President
Dear ESCO friends,
This past Sunday the ESCO Board met with our delightful new conductor, Jon Bridges, to discuss past, present, and future ESCO concerns. You will get a chance to meet him at Richard’s party on July 6 if he hasn’t been called out on a fire (he’s a wildland firefighter during the summer).
Because state and school district Covid-19 guidelines are in constant flux, we cannot set a clear starting date for the orchestra, nor can we specify the necessary safety precautions once we do return to Springfield High. We will ask members to sign a liability waiver to release the orchestra and the school district, and only fully vaccinated members will be allowed to participate.
Before the first rehearsal, we’ll send out a clear description of the setup so that everyone knows what to expect. Those who are not comfortable with any restrictions may choose to join us later when either their situation or ours changes.
For now, Jon has asked us to tell him who to expect when we return. Please reply to this email (eleanor.montagna@gmail.com) with your answers to these questions :
Name:
Instrument:
Do you have any repertoire suggestions?
Are there any major concerns that might affect your willingness to rejoin the orchestra?
Thank you for your responses!
Eleanor Montagna
ESCO President
Note from the conductor
January 11, 2021
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Orchestra,
I hope this message finds you happy and in good health. It's been a long time since we gathered to make music. With the advent of vaccines it appears there may be a light at the end of the tunnel.
There have been questions about when we might be able to meet again. The orchestra board has discussed our situation and has determined that it is unlikely that we can gather as usual until next fall. That seems again like a long time but it may at least be more realistic that previous estimates.
It is with sadness that I must report to you the passing of one of our members. Marjorie Beck from the flute section died in November from complications after heart surgery. Orchestra members contributed the following tributes.
Her friend Rebecca Hazen wrote: "For a long time, Marjorie and I had gotten together once a week to play flute and clarinet duets. That ended when Covid hit, and we cancelled the concert we were going to give at the end of winter term. Last August I reached out by phone but got no answer. Finally, her roommate called just before Christmas. In September she'd had surgery to repair a hole in her aorta. She was in and out of the hospital and rehab, eventually she contracted MRSA, and died in mid-November. I hadn't known she was medically frail, but she used to say 'this practicing is good for me.' "
ESCO president Eleanor Montagna also recalls Marjorie fondly. "I got to know her through a quartet for Play It Again which included Rebecca Hazen and Christine Heritage. Like many of our orchestra members, Marjorie welcomed the opportunity to play (it) again. I was impressed by her fearless spirit of adventure, her optimism, and her willingness to put in extra coaching time. She contributed that same spirit to the flute section of the ESCO."
Thank you Rebecca and Eleanor for your kind and thoughtful words.
I'm wishing we can all anticipate to a better year together and I look forward to seeing you again. Until then, find some joy in making and sharing music any way you can.
Take good care and stay safe.
Richard
Rehearsals canceled until further notice
November, 2020
The ESCO Board has voted to alert players that we won’t be able to reconvene in January. We’re hoping that a vaccine may allow us to get back together some time in 2021.
September 1, 2020
The ESCO Board has determined that we won’t be able to meet this fall. How soon we reconvene will depend on several factors including school re-opening and the availability of a vaccine. We all hope that time comes soon.
ESCO NEWS
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Greetings
It's the first Tuesday of the month and it seems appropriate to send out a newsletter. Even though we are not meeting there are things happening that are of interest.
Thank You!
Thank you for the generous "bonus" that you sent me. I appreciate your kindness and hope that I can continue to help the orchestra.
The Future
We are continuing to look forward to a return to rehearsals and concerts in the fall. I have received many repertory suggestions and look forward to more. We will also be looking for soloists so if you are so inclined please let me know. I have also been giving thought to adding achamber music concert to our yearly schedule to accommodate all the small ensemble work that you have been contributing. Give it some thought and we'll discuss the idea further when we return.
An Interesting Website
ClassicFM.com - I have enjoyed many rewarding moments exploring this website. There is an incredible amount of information including historic performances, interviews, music theory instruction and even humor. Take a look. I think you'll enjoy it.
That’s All for Now
Thanks to Linda and B.J. for helping with this newsletter. I hope for all of us that we will endure this ordeal and return to making music soon. I miss you all. Take good care.
Richard
FROM the Treasurer/Webmaster
Dear ESCO Players,
I hope you're doing well and staying safe. It's sad we can't play together, but maybe in September! I'll keep the website updated on any developments. We'll keep the same member password Carmen 128 until we finally reconvene.
As I mentioned in my last note, the ESCO Board voted to award an honorarium to Jim Hallwyler and Jonathan Light, two SpringfieldHigh School music teachers. They have been invaluable in helping us during concerts and in supporting our relationship with the school district, enabling our continuing use of rehearsal and performance spaces.
We have received a thank you note from SHS orchestra conductor Jim Hallwyler: "Dear ESCO, what a pleasant and unexpected surprise. Thank you so much! The gift is certainly most appreciated! I value the partnership with ESCO. It is beneficial for our students and orchestra program at SHS.ESCO's involvement is an investment in the lives of all our students. I look forward to our growing relationship in the coming years. Again, thank you! -Jim Hallwyler."
And finally, thanks to those of you who made voluntary donations this spring! It's much appreciated.
B.J. Novitski, cello
Treasurer, Webmaster
Message from the Conductor
April 13, 2020
Ladies and gentlemen of the orchestra.
Greetings. I sincerely hope this email finds you in good health and good spirits.
Since the governor declared that the schools would be closed until next fall our future has become a little more clear. I think it is safe to say we will not rehearse again until September.
I was sorry to miss our March concert and maybe we can program some, or all, of that music next year. For the June concert I'd intended to perform a Von Suppe' Overture, an original work composed by Basil Clough, Dance Rhythms by Wallingford Riegger (Chet Peterson conducting), and Danzon No. 2 by Marquez. The Marquez is a great tune and I do look forward to performing it the fall. Give it a listen. There are several performances on You Tube.
Other projects were underway including a couple ensembles and an original arrangement featuring Amey Herman and Doug Heydon. I look forward to programing all this and more when we return.
You will also be happy to know that ESCO leadership, specifically B.J. Novitski and Eleanor Montagna, have been following the lead of the ESCO Board and are currently solidifying plans for scholarships for Springfield High School band and orchestra members.
If you are looking to stay connected to local classical music sources the Eugene Symphony and the Delgani Quartet have interesting activities on their websites. And if you’re looking for some classical listening I think you'd enjoy radio station KUSC out of Los Angeles. You can easily find their website and stream their programing.
I miss making music with you. There is nothing like making live music with real people.
You take good care.
Richard
Recent Board Actions
Download Newsletter
Music Camp!
Want to continue your musical opportunities over the summer? Check out the Midsummer Musical Retreat. It’s a week-long festival for adults, featuring orchestras, bands, choruses, and professional faculty. It’ll be July 27 - August 2 at Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington.
For chamber music, consider the Ashland Chamber Music Workshop, July 12-17, 2020, Southern Oregon University, or the Humboldt Chamber Music Workshop, three week-long sessions June 28-July 17, at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California.
Five Keys To Success
1. Arrive no later than 650 p.m., set up your area and warm-up.
2. Have a pencil and use it.
3. Respect the rehearsal process by refraining from talking.
4. Clean up your area when we are done. We are guests.
5. Practice. Be prepared.
Inclement Weather If the Springfield Public Schools are closed due to bad weather, we will not rehearse. When in doubt, check back here.
Missed Rehearsals: If you are going to miss a rehearsal, please let Richard know ASAP. rlong999@aol.com. Thank you.
THIS ORCHESTRA SHOULD BE ENJOYABLE AND CHALLENGING
Principal Players
Designated by Conductor Richard Long:
Alex Zunterstein, Concertmaster
Amey Herman, Assistant Concertmaster
Judy Spearin, Principal Second Violin
Rena Segebartt, Principal Viola
BJ Novitski, Principal Cello
Doug Heydon, Principal String Bass
Karen Fiedler, Principal Flute
Barry Jarvis, Principal Oboe
Eleanor Montagna, Principal Clarinet
Leigh Williams, Principal Bassoon
Amos Heifner, Principal French Horn
Barry Barreau, Principal Trumpet
Don Dixon, Principal Trombone
Dawn Jeffries, Principal Percussion
Principal Player job description:
* Assign seating within the section, being sure to rotate players around so they can hear what the orchestra sounds like from different positions and so they can get to know each other better.
* Manage sheet music, keep extra copies, make more if needed, and generally make sure everyone has what they need.
* Maintain communications within the section and recognize any problems in the making
* Allocate solos
* Act as “den mother”: welcome new members, set up a sectional phone tree, plan sectional rehearsals.