Nickolas Carlson gives speech at 'Revolution' concert

Originally published on The JOLT News February 26, 2026

Throughout the span of history and cinema, we have all been witnesses to speeches that give us goosebumps, captivate our minds and hearts, and simply take our breath away.

A good speech must be punchy, personal and passionate. Many attempts have been made to create great speeches, but they rarely become iconic.  

I think everyone in the audience of Olympia Chamber Orchestra’s (OCO) “Revolution” concert at Capital High School Performing Arts Center on Sunday can all agree that we witnessed one of those rare and iconic speeches.  

OCO Music Director and Conductor Nickolas Carlson delivered a speech he had written to help his modern audience relate to the music the orchestra was about to perform, and to wake up to the world we live in and visualize along with him the positive impact the arts can make through it all.  

Along with his involvement in OCO, Carlson is Conductor of the South Puget Sound Community College Symphony Orchestra, Conductor of the Philharmonic Orchestra at Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia, Director of Music Ministry at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, and Music Director for Pacific Northwest Theater. Carlson is also an organist and collaborative pianist. I look forward to hopefully interviewing Carlson in the future.

I could regurgitate the synopsis of the speech, but it would not hit the same. Carlson’s message is deeply important to this moment in time and meets us all where we are at. I think Carlson’s voice and bravery deserves to be celebrated, and how better could I do that then share his direct words with you.  

I reached out to Carlson and asked him for a copy of his speech, and he sent it to me for you all to read.  

So here it is: enjoy Carlson’s speech below!  

The speech 

If reform within a current system does not create the necessary change, it often leads to a revolution … an overthrowing of the current system in order to put a new system in place. Music is often at the center of revolutions, whether formally, like pieces presented today, or more impromptu, like rallying songs that a crowd sings together. Music does not hold this position within revolutions because it provides escape and respite, although it certainly can. Music has the ability to bring people together for one common goal.  

I did not watch the Super Bowl a couple of weeks ago (I was, of course, in a rehearsal, as my life is increasingly consumed by rehearsals). However, I know how much excitement and pride it created for our region. Focusing so much coverage on a football game seemed trivial in light of all that is going on in our country and the world.

However, I was eventually reminded how these events that are considered “entertainment” draw communities together. Music, dance, theater, art, SPORTS, all draw racially, economically, and ideologically diverse communities together. What an incredible (and vital) feat in our current world.  

I can’t help but think that these little revolutions in our diverse communities when coming together can help heal us. If we can see this “mere entertainment” as something more meaningful, more vital … how much can we accomplish together? Revolution most often implies a violent overthrow of a political system. But I think we can use every concert, every dance recital, theater performance, and sports event as an overthrowing of the broken, divisive systems in our communities.  

I view our concerts, both for the musicians and the audience, as an opportunity to build community. I hope that as you leave the concert today, you will introduce yourself to someone you do not know, and share one of your favorite portions of today’s concert with them. Even if you are not comfortable sharing with someone new, I hope you share those favorite bits with your friends and family. 

If you need to simply absorb the music and find some respite from the conflict and division in our world, I hope you have found or will find it here today. However, if you are open to it, as you listen to this music by Sibelius, consider what systems in your life or community need a little revolution, and how you can help to affect that change with your community.  

Thank you for your support of the Olympia Chamber Orchestra and ALL VITAL entertainment in our community. I hope you keep attending concerts, theater productions, and sporting events. We all need your support and engagement to continue bringing these events to you.