Resurgent Everett Symphony vows to reflect the community

Do you remember the Everett Symphony Orchestra? Well, it's back.

Beset by financial problems and having to cut its season short in January, the Everett Symphony now plans a grandstand show of patriotism and community.

The symphony's comeback concert is scheduled for a grandstand performance Aug. 30 at the Evergreen State Fair, and it's a huge deal in a lot of ways, said the ESO's new artistic director, Ron Friesen.

This kickoff signals a new philosophy for the symphony: to be more of an expression of the community and more relevant.

That's all wrapped up in a concept called "artistic citizenry," Friesen said.

"Artistic citizens say we want to help you understand what we are doing, and then we ask how can we help you in your endeavors," Friesen. Friesen was the symphony's assistant conductor under Paul-Elliott Cobbs, whose contract as music director was not renewed after more than 25 years at the podium.

That's why the comeback concert, titled "Summon our Heroes: A Tribute Show of Support," is being delivered with this mission statement: Make classical music an indispensable resource to celebrate, strengthen and heal communities.

And there's lots of community representation in the August show, such as Washington State Patrol trooper and vocalist Tim Coley who will sing "The Star-Spangled Banner"; fair performer Gerry Andal who performs "America"; Monroe Police officer Bryon Johnston playing his bagpipes for "Amazing Grace"; and a vocal ensemble from the Everett Chorale with 12-year-old soloist Beth El Fattal singing "America, The Dream Goes On."

The concert also includes three new music pieces by the hip, young French composer Charles-Henri Avelange, who created the official theme music for this year's Seattle International Film Festival.

All these performers will be backed by a 50-piece Everett Symphony Orchestra with each musician fully miked to overcome any acoustic challenges of the 5,000-seat grandstand, Friesen said.

"The whole fairgrounds are going to hear us when we play," Friesen said.

In addition to this concert, the symphony's new mission of relevancy includes renovating the former triplex cinema at Everett Mall into a symphony rehearsal hall and community performing arts center where the public can perform, learn an instrument, rehearse or just listen to the symphony musicians play. The first open public rehearsal is planned for Aug. 26.

The cost to renovate the 35,000 square feet of mall space is running pretty cheaply, about $1,500, with 15 volunteers helping and lots of donated material, said executive director Roger Pawley.

Other parts of the symphony's new artistic citizenry include forming an intermediate level orchestra with less experienced musicians working with symphony players; increasing the partnerships with all other arts groups; starting a music school at the mall; increasing the symphony's visibility at social and business functions; and increasing the symphony board to 20 from 12 members.

Friesen, who turned 60 this year and has been with the symphony for more than 25 years, said the part he plays in being an artistic citizen is to "leave the wood pile higher."

"I want to be able to look in the mirror and say that the Everett Symphony, whether it lives or dies, it isn't because I didn't try," Friesen said.

Though Friesen remains faithful, many other symphony musicians have moved on, unable to accept the symphony's new strategy and unable to overcome the bitterness and grief over losing conductor Cobbs.

Those players formed the Everett Philharmonic. At last count, there were 74 musicians listed in the philharmonic with Cobbs as music director and his wife, Loma, as executive director. The philharmonic has four classical concerts planned beginning in September and listed on its website at www.everettphil.org.

The Everett Symphony has no classical program planned this year.

"Our desire was to play symphonic music and play with Paul Cobbs," said philharmonic operations manager Cami Davis.

Davis said there will be philharmonic musicians playing at the Everett Symphony's fair concert because, in part, it's a good-paying gig, one she almost considered playing herself.

"The music is beautiful and the composer is phenomenally talented, but that wasn't enough for me to play," Davis said. "I can't support what Roger is doing."

Friesen said he too had to move on, away from those people with "supreme suspicions" because he can't do anything to change their minds.

He welcomes the skeptics.

"The skeptics are the ones to hold our feet to the fire and make sure we walk the talk," Friesen said. "If we don't do it, we deserve to get our rear ends kicked. If we do succeed, we will win you over."

Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.



Symphony fair concert

"Summon Our Heroes: A Tribute Show of Support Concert" performed by the Everett Symphony is at 7:45 p.m. Aug. 30 in the grandstand of the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, 14405 179th Ave. SE, Monroe. For more information go to www.everettsymphony.org.

Concert tickets are $18 and include fair admission if bought in advance. Youth 15 and under are free with fair admission. Call 800-745-3000 or go to ticketmaster.com.