Ever since he went from factory worker to concert violinist in oppressed Beijing, China, Fred Chu has wanted to start his own orchestra.
This weekend he gets to show off his lifelong dream.
The new Pacifica Chamber Orchestra, with Chu wearing several hats as artist director, conductor and lead violinist, performs for free at First Presbyterian Church in Everett.
The 15-piece chamber orchestra will play works by Vivaldi, Mozart, Devienne, Dvorak and Kabalevsky.
Chu was the concertmaster, or first violin, of the Everett Symphony Orchestra before it canceled the remainder of its season this year.
Chu plays for the newly formed Everett Philharmonic Orchestra, which he said fills the hole in Snohomish County for “big music.”
What Chu and the Pacifica Chamber crew want to provide is the lighter side of orchestral music.
“Before, when I was conductor of the chamber orchestra in Beijing, I didn’t have any power over the music. That was all decided by the government,” Chu said. “I couldn’t play the music I liked to play.”
Chu said the new chamber orchestra will offer a range of music within the last 100 years, from Baroque to contemporary pieces recently composed and offering a diversity of composers from South America, Asia and elsewhere.
Pacifica Chamber Orchestra players are primarily from the Everett Philharmonic Orchestra and all are donating their time and playing for free.
“When the Everett Symphony went dark, the musicians felt a vacancy in the music,” Chu said. “I’m so lucky to have those 15 people to share my dream and they feel the same way, to make more music.”
The Pacifica Chamber Orchestra is planning four concerts for next season. Their motto will be: “Informational, educational and entertaining.”
Chu said the atmosphere of the concerts will be intimate and interactive, with him telling the audience a little about each piece and the composer who wrote it.
And Pacifica Chamber Orchestra will also be available to play at school assemblies and other gatherings, said Chu, calling the group “very mobile.”
“We’ll be moving around and try to go over Snohomish County, then all over Washington state, then all over the country and all over the world,” Chu said. “That’s my dream. My own destiny.”
Pacific Chamber Orchestra performs works by Vivaldi, Mozart, Devienne, Dvorak and Kabalevsky at 3 p.m. Sunday at First Presbyterian Church, 2936 Rockefeller Ave., Everett. The concert is free. A reception will follow the performance.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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