Review: Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia’s spring concert
Originally published on The JOLT News on May 22, 2026
Sitting in the audience for Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia (SOGO)’s spring concert, I was completely in awe of everything surrounding me from the large number of students on stage to the incredible quality of the performance.
As the packed auditorium at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts could tell you, there is something deeply special about this group and the spirit of community and camaraderie that accompanies them on stage.
My best friend Diane sat on my right and a young musician sat on my left. The young musician was in fifth grade and was learning how to play the violin. The musician’s grandma brought him to the SOGO concert so that he could see the potential he has in the music world and decide if this was the path he wanted to take.
Chatting with them, I learned that this musician was also a soccer player and was about to start learning how to play the guitar in addition to the violin. This is what I love about Thurston County — our kids are given opportunities to embrace all their different interests without being forced into boxes.
I cannot wait to see where this young musician along with the talented members of SOGO end up in the future. This is indeed one of the many honors we hold when we choose to embrace being in the audience.
Performance review
Overall, I was delightfully surprised by the moments of professional sound each ensemble in SOGO created on stage. Dan Craig conducted the Academy Orchestra through pieces including Georges Bizet’s “Habanera,” Daniel Walter’s “Appalachian Lullaby," and Soon Hee Newbold’s “Angel City.” “Angel City” was one of my favorite pieces at this concert because it had such a cinematic and almost exotic sound that I found very refreshing.
I loved watching the students in this ensemble embrace the different tonalities in their program. Seeing each student celebrate their hard work through sharing these pieces brightened my spirits.
The Brass Choir followed the Academy Orchestra with two pieces contrasting each other in the most delightful way. Artistic Director and Conductor Greg Allison led the choir through the traditional piece, “My Lord, What a Morning,"arranged by David Marlatt was very peaceful. You could feel a sense of peace amongst the musicians during this piece.
Johannes Hanssen’s “Valdres” carried a sound that brought me straight back to Disneyland’s Main Street during my most recent vacation. Thank you SOGO for taking me to the happiest place on earth!
Nickolas Carlson conducted the Philharmonic Orchestra through segments from some of classical music’s greatest hits, including Johannes Brahms “Academic Festival Overture,” George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumblebee.”
The “Flight of the Bumblebee” featured four solo flautists, including Karina Bone, Gracie Park, Serenia Thibodeaux and Erin Happenny. These four were practically perfect in their playing and very in sync with one another. The buzzing effect the ensemble created during this piece was more impactful than any recording I have heard. I could have sworn a bee took over the microphones!
Allison led the Conservatory Orchestra through pieces including Noah D. Taylor’s “Fanfare 250,” Bob Thiele and George David Weiss’ “What a Wonderful World” featuring vocalist Shayne Wulf, Hector Berlioz’s “Hungarian March,” and the most anticipated piece of the evening: the West Coast Premiere of Lucas Richmond’s “Paths to Dignity: 3. Shelter for My Child” with solo violinist Dillion Welch. This piece was discussed in an article I wrote last week.
Before performing “Shelter for My Child,” the audience got to witness a sort of passing of the torch as Allison Welch (a SOGO alumni from the first days of the organization), and current student Alex McBride discussed the legacy of SOGO and the work they are contributing to by sharing the piece with the community.
“Shelter for My Child” was a very lyrical and emotional piece with all of the nuances that carried layers of meaning. I do not believe there was a dry eye in the audience. I hope this piece encourages our community to take action, but most of all to spread love and compassion to one another.
It is evident — SOGO is not just about teaching students how to play instruments. They are joining the village of people who are helping raise the next generation’s community leaders and philanthropists.
All the work they are doing is essential to our community. Read about their Future Music Maker program and more in their May newsletter. I invite you to donate to SOGO today to be part of all the important work they are doing in our community.