Music again graces Queen Anne when the Orchestra Seattle and Seattle Chamber Singers (OSSCS) kick off the 2012-2013 season with seven concerts.
However, this season will be different. The orchestra lost its well-loved founder and music director George Shangrow (formerly of KING-FM on lower Queen Anne) in a 2010 car accident and has gone two years without a director. This season, the orchestra will test-drive six finalists for musical director. Each concert will feature one of the contestants.
Both the orchestra and audience will have the opportunity to submit feedback to the board and search committee, giving everyone a voice in who will be the next director of the 43-year-old group.
“So many times, just a couple people on the board choose a new employee, but this time because our members have been playing and singing for many years, we wanted to make sure they had input,” said OSSCS managing director Rob Harahill. “Some of our ticket holders have been with us for 10, 15 years, and we wanted to hear what they have to say, too.”
Harahill also likes the idea for general education purposes.
“It’s exciting for people to see a variety of different conductors. People don’t know what goes into conduction, and this is a great opportunity to learn what they do and how they work with the music and audience.”
The perfect match
OSSCS consists of a 60-member, semi-professional orchestra and a 45-voice chorus. Membership in both groups is by audition and includes professional musicians, music teachers and highly skilled amateurs. The group promotes new music by Northwest composers.
OSSCS has been recognized for its interpretations of Handel’s and Bach’s music, introducing Handel’s “Israel in Egypt,” Monteverdi’s “1610 Vespers” and Haydn’s “The Seasons.” The group also performs such classics as Handel’s “Messiah,” Beethoven’s “Ninth Symphony” and Brahms’ “German Requiem.”
Having a good conductor is pivotal, according to orchestra members.
“It’s a dance: You get to know them pretty well, like dancing with somebody,” said Stephen Hegg, a 15-year orchestra member who plays the viola and violin. “In the process of rehearsal and performing, you have to have a lot of trust in each other. We need someone with great communication when performing music — something everyone will pick up on.”
Each auditioning conductor will perform similar types of music so people can compare notes-to-notes.
“I think at the end of the process, I’m pretty sure the right candidate will be lined up for most people,” Hegg said of the survey system. “[The audience and orchestra members] tend to think a lot alike.
A difficult process
There were 50 applications for the director position. The board and search committee required videos, written materials and telephone interviews.
“We were excited to see a wide range and high caliber of applicants,” said Katherine McWilliams, a 25-year member who plays the viola. “It’s gratifying to know we’re the kind of group that attracts this caliber of individuals to come work with us.”
Still, the hurt of losing Shangrow has yet to fade.
“It won’t be the same without George,” McWilliams said. “We played with him for decades, and we’ll always grieve we can’t do that anymore.
“But we are open to something new coming out of this process,” she said. “It’s grown as an organization in the past couple of years because of the tragedy. We’ve learned a lot about the candidates; we’ve learned a lot from each other and that will continue this year. It’s pretty exciting.”
The opening season concert with finalist Jeremy Briggs-Roberts will take place on Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the First Free Methodist Church, 3200 Third Ave. W., on Queen Anne. Audience feedback will be highly encouraged. Visit www.osscs.org for more information.