In photo: The Olympia Symphony Orchestra (photo taken prior to coronavirus pandemic)
The Olympia Symphony Orchestra in Washington State has released a recording of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance to be used in virtual high-school and college graduation ceremonies for the class of 2020 during the pandemic. Individual Olympic Symphony musicians, many of whom are music educators in local public schools, recorded their parts from their homes. OSO Violinist Jason Leng, also an ophthalmologist, compiled the recordings to create a collaborative video that is posted on the Olympia Symphony’s YouTube channel and is being circulated on Facebook. “I am the parent of a graduating high school senior,” said Olympia Symphony Executive Director Jennifer Hermann. “Members of our orchestra are also parents. It is important to us to fill in whatever gaps we can in the absence of traditional ceremonies, and music is something that can expand to fill in missing pieces in our lives.” More information and a link to the Pomp and Circumstance video performance can be found at the Olympia Symphony’s website.
