EVERETT — Evergreen is Snohomish County’s other community orchestra.
While Cascade Symphony Orchestra, Everett Philharmonic Orchestra, Pacifica Chamber Orchestra and even Mukilteo Community Orchestra perform with professional musicians, Evergreen Community Orchestra is a safe haven for a range of experience, from those who have recently pulled their instruments out of the closet to those who have been playing most of their lives. Auditions are not required to play.
Directed by Marcin Paczkowski, a doctoral student at the University of Washington, the nonprofit orchestra needs more members in order to remain in its rehearsal and performance space in the Music Hall (the old movie theater) near Macy’s at the Everett Mall.
Its 25 members pay about $20 a month to play in the orchestra, sharing the rental and insurance costs. Fall and spring concerts are performed free to its audiences, who are encouraged to donate if they can.
Rehearsals are from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays at the mall, and many people, such as clarinetist Kim Edwards, come directly from work.
“I work in Lynnwood and live in Arlington, so it works well for me,” said Edwards, president of the orchestra board of directors.
Vonnie Jenkins, now retired, also plays clarinet. She drives from Bellingham to participate in Evergreen.
“We are a very welcoming orchestra,” Jenkins said. “That’s what’s so wonderful about it. Nobody is fighting over parts or feeling overlooked.”
The orchestra could use more people who play violin, viola, cello, bass, oboe, bassoon, French horn and trumpet, Jenkins said.
“We have enough clarinets right now,” she said.
Paczkowski, 31, grew up in Poland and has a background in composition and conducting. He views his participation in the orchestra as a way to give back to his adopted community.
“This has been a wonderful opportunity for me to work with musicians who love music,” said Paczkowski, who is a student at the UW’s Center for Digital Art and Experimental Media. “I would like to encourage young people to come and join us,”
The June concert includes the first movement of W.A. Mozart’s “Jupiter” Symphony No. 41 in C Major, Johann Pachelbel’s Canon and Gigue and an arrangement of Claude Debussy’s “Clair de Lune.”
Violinist Jean DeWitt of Mill Creek serves as concert mistress of the orchestra. DeWitt used to play with Cascade Symphony, but now enjoys a more relaxed commitment with Evergreen.
“This is a good orchestra for beginners, young moms who want to get back into playing or even people who want to try a new instrument.
“We just need more people to join us. The more people we have, the easier it will get. And it would be great to stay in this rehearsal space.”
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @galefiege.
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