Have yourself A Glorious Holiday
December 15, 2009
By Erin Kim
Karissa Zadinsky, a freshman at PCFC, (left) and Aric Lee, a senior at Skyline High School, rehearse every week for two hours for A Glorious Holiday. By Erin Kim
The Eastside Project Chamber Orchestra and Choir is back for its second classical concert.
This summer, Kevin Lee, a senior at Issaquah High School, organized this student-run high school orchestra and choir to perform its summer benefit concert — A Classical Calling.
After high demand, Lee will conduct his volunteer orchestra and choir of more than 25 passionate students once again for another festive benefit concert, A Glorious Holiday.
EPCO will perform classical pieces for all ages to appreciate, from Beethoven’s “Triple Concerto” to Handel’s “Messiah” and to “Beauty and the Beast’s” “A Tale as Old as Time.”
Lee chose Vivaldi’s “Gloria” to be the highlight of the concert. He described the song as a festive, sacred and happy piece, perfect for the holiday season.
Lee was motivated to pursue a second concert after he saw the impact of EPCO’s music.“The audience’s generosity, in both the charity and the praise, motivated me further to do a second concert,” Lee said. “We want to continue to reach out to the community through music.”
Lee said the group musicians and singers have grown in number and skill.
“Every single person in this orchestra is high caliber. They have been recognized in their school, around the area and in competitions,” he said. “This orchestra is loaded with student motivation. That is what makes this ensemble special.”
Lee said he hopes “to show the community that, even though we are young, high school students have the ability to do great things. I want to show that music has a community outreach aspect to it.”
Not only is A Glorious Holiday a great way to celebrate the holidays, and support high school students, but the proceeds go to a worthy cause — a charity called Fostering Tunes, another student-run fundraiser organization.
Fostering Tunes is a branch of the Treehouse Organization, which provides foster kids in King County with services and supplies that can otherwise be out of reach for them. Fostering Tunes specifically works to provide foster children with access to music lessons and instruments.
“I think everyone should at least have the chance to learn an instrument, if not play in a music group just to have the experience,” representative Faith Fowler said. “I have been playing piano for about 10 years and bass guitar for about two. I understand the benefit of having this experience and hope that other people can enjoy what I have, too.”
Lee mentioned Russian composer Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky’s success as a musician through his passion for music. Fostering Tunes provides foster children with the ability to nurture a love of music.
“I am hoping that this coming concert, people come for something beyond the music but for the community,” Lee said.
If you go
A Glorious Holiday
7 p.m. Dec 20
Covenant Presbyterian Church
22116 S.E. 51st Place
Tickets: $5
Proceeds go to Fostering Tunes (a branch of the Treehouse Organization)
Erin Kim: isspress@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.
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