Mid-Columbia Symphony begins 80th season; conductor celebrates final season after 16 years
By Rylee Fitzgerald,
1 days ago
RICHLAND, Wash. — 71 musicians take to the stage this Saturday, in the Mid-Columbia Symphony’s opening concert of its 80th season, titled ‘Endings and Beginnings.’ It’s also the conductor’s final season, after 16 years.
“Mostly it's gratitude and thanks for the effort that everybody's put in through all the rehearsals and all the concerts that we've had ever since 2008, because it really has been a pleasure,” said Music Director and Conductor, maestro Nicholas Wallin.
Wallin also said there is a personal angle to a song chosen for this weekend’s concert. In 2008, in Wallin’s first season, they kicked off the concert with the very same song the orchestra will start with this weekend.
“Partly to display for the audience something about my sense of humor. I'm not sure that they got it entirely, when we played this piece 16 years ago, but I love this piece and I think it's really funny and I want us to make people laugh,” Wallin explained to the orchestra during rehearsal.
This is Ives: Variations on ‘America’ . Other songs from the Americas are on the set list for Saturday’s concert.
“I love the way he engages with the orchestra, a really good balance of, you know, being very friendly and approachable, but also getting a lot of work done, and it's, it's really been great to work with him over the last several years,” said Martin King, the principle horn with the Mid-Columbia Symphony. He’s been with the orchestra for the better-half of a decade.
Fellow musicians said they have seen growth for the Mid-Columbia Symphony physically, in terms of the numbers, but also growth from within.
“Nick's been just a pleasure to watch him grow with the symphony as well. He's always been an amazing musician to begin with. I guess, just watching him mature with the orchestra itself has been exciting,” said Rich Carterby, the trombone second chair with the Mid-Columbia Symphony. Carterby has been with the orchestra for around 30 seasons.
Wallin explained that he lives in Chicago, and flies out to take part in the Mid-Columbia Symphony four times a year. With his departure from the Symphony after this season, he said he plans to continue to teach and conduct at Lake Forest College, north of Chicago in Illinois, and focus on projects closer to home.
This weekend is the first performance for the Symphony in this four-concert season, which goes through the middle of June, 2025. The performance is, ‘Celebrate America: Take Two!’ Musicians from all around Mid-Columbia and further are a part of this orchestra.
The concert is happening Saturday, Oct. 19 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Richland High School Auditorium. Find ticket information here .
The next concert is Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024 at 3 p.m. at the Richland High School Auditorium. That one is titled ‘Holiday Cheer.’
“These folks are my friends, and I've been working with them for a long time,” expressed Wallin. “They're all wonderful professionals, and they know how to get things done quickly, and so it's always a pleasure to work with them.”
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