30th Anniversary for Island Sinfonia

Sunday, May 4, 3 p.m., Orcas Center

— from Kristen Wilson —

Island Sinfonia, the San Juans’ multi-island chamber orchestra, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and according to Lopez Islanders who heard Sinfonia perform just a few weeks ago, the group is playing better than ever! Under the direction of Ned Griffin, Sinfonia will present the final concert in its spring concert series at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, at Orcas Center. (Please note the time change. The concert was originally scheduled for 2 p.m., but was changed to 3 p.m.) Tickets are available from Orcas Center: $10 for adults, and no charge for children and students.

The Orcas concert also marks the retirement of Sinfonia’s conductor Ned Griffin. “It is fitting that we are playing portions of Haydn’s ‘Farewell’ Symphony,” said Karen Blinn, oboist with the Sinfonia, “as this will also be Ned’s farewell to Sinfonia. There will never be another Ned! He has been very good for Sinfonia.” A reception honoring Ned Griffin will be held following the concert and all are invited to stay for cake and lemonade.

An inspiring program of music has been planned: Valse-Fantaisie, Mikhail Glinka’s expansive and emotional symphonic poem; two movements from Franz Schubert’s stirring and lyrical Rosamunde; the waltz-like Slavonic Dance No. 6 by Antonin Dvorak; the Finale and Adagio from Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 45; and Ralph Vaughan Williams revered English Folk Song Suite.

Ginni Keith sings the remarkable solo from Handel’s Gloria accompanied by string orchestra. Known as a demanding piece for voice, this “lost” work by Handel was only discovered in 2001, and Keith brings its charm and exuberance to life.

The Orcas concert will also see the premier of Orcas High School senior Brigid Ehrmantraut’s own composition, Hamlet Overture, which she wrote for her senior project. The composition follows the plot of Shakespeare’s tragedy, according to Ehrmantraut, with leitmotifs representing different characters and situations.

Brigid, who also plays viola, is one of five Orcas students who play in Sinfonia. High school junior Emy Carter and sophomore Sasha Hagen, as well as seventh grader Paris Wilson play violin with Island Sinfonia. Sixth grader Tim Jenson, French horn player, is the newest and youngest student musician. Along with the five Orcas students, Orcas School Band Director Darren Dix is Sinfonia’s only trumpet player.

Founded in 1984 by Mother Kateri Visocky of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist of Shaw Island, Island Sinfonia is one of the longest continuously performing music groups in the San Juans, and its only chamber orchestra. Today 29 musicians from four islands gather almost every Saturday afternoon between September and May to rehearse in the Orcas school band room. Sinfonia performs five times during the spring – at the annual MAG school benefit concert and on Shaw, Lopez, San Juan and Orcas Islands, as well as at other events when invited.

The multitalented and longtime Sinfonia member Jim Shaffer-Bauck, who currently plays viola and percussion with the group, will take over the conductor’s baton from Ned Griffin starting in September. “We are so fortunate we have Jim in the wings,” said Scott Heisinger, Concertmaster of Island Sinfonia. “With Jim’s musical background we’re in good hands.”

Island Sinfonia is open to all musicians interested in playing classical chamber music. The orchestra especially encourages students to join, and they genuinely appreciate their contribution to the group.