Olympia Symphony Orchestra musicians, from left: French horn player James Harper, oboist Laura Goben Harper, and violinists Brent and Lisa Pearson. They played in the Harpers’ yard to prepare for small-ensemble performances this month.
“The Olympia Symphony Orchestra’s next performance is June 20—and if you want, it could be at your house,” writes Molly Gilmore in Thursday’s (6/11) Olympian (Olympia, WA). “The orchestra’s new Big Music in Small Groups program offers what the orchestra is calling ‘curbside delivery’ by soloists and small ensembles, who’ll play ‘Pomp & Circumstance’ or patriotic favorites at a social distance outside homes in the Olympia area…. At a Friday meeting organized by the League of American Orchestras [during its National Conference], Jennifer Hermann, the symphony’s executive director, told public-relations representatives from around the country about the music deliveries…. Hermann envisions families having small, informal graduation ceremonies and Independence Day celebrations with live accompaniment…. The musicians won’t necessarily be organized into traditional groups… ‘We’re kind of mixing and matching,’ … said Laura Goben Harper, the orchestra’s personnel manager and an oboe player…. ‘I think for the people who will be receiving these music deliveries, it will be fun to see an eclectic group.’ … ‘The most exciting part is being able to get together—even though it’s from 6 feet away,’ Harper said.… Patrons can request a delivery time, and the musicians will proceed from performance to performance.”
