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The twentieth anniversary of any arts organization in our day and age is cause to celebrate, and this May the Coast Symphony Orchestra (CSO) plans to celebrate in style with the homecoming of Mark Andrews and Beth Currie-Buono as soloists with the orchestra in a gala matinee concert followed by a reception.
The impetus for an orchestra came from Michelle Bruce, whose students were keen to play in an ensemble. In the fall of 1992, seven string students of wide-ranging ages and abilities began to rehearse on Saturday mornings under the baton of Tom Kershaw — “As long as you can hold it and play it, you can come” were the criteria for joining.
Gradually the orchestra grew in size and scope and added winds and percussion. New ensembles were formed to expand the playing opportunities, and the Sunshine Coast Community Orchestra Association (SCCOA) was formed. It has had its ups and downs, but the SCCOA is thriving and now includes 41 full-time members in the Coast Symphony Orchestra, 27 in the Suncoast Concert Band, and eight in the Sunshine Coast Youth Orchestra.
“Conductors are the key factor to keep everything fun and exciting,” Bruce says. “But without the commitment of players and volunteers, this couldn’t be done,” she emphasizes. She tells about the optimism behind fundraising efforts to buy 20 music stands in the early days — and the realization of the dream to have enough players to need them all.
The gala concert will take place on May 26 at 2 p.m. at Raven’s Cry Theatre. The other ensembles and their conductors will be there at the gala celebrations, and they themselves have upcoming performances — the Suncoast Concert Band on April 27 at 7 p.m. at the Sechelt Indian Band Hall, and the Sunshine Coast Youth Orchestra on May 4 at 7 p.m. at St. Hilda’s Church in Sechelt.
