Chamber orchestra moves east

Photo courtesy of Northwest Sinfonietta

THE TACOMA-BASED CHAMBER ORCHESTRA NORTHWEST SINFONIETTA BEGINS ITS NEW RESIDENCY AT PUYALLUP’S PIONEER PARK PAVILION THIS VALENTINE’S DAY FOR A SPECIAL EVENT FEATURING THE NORTHWEST SINFONIETTA JAZZ ENSEMBLE.

Tacoma’s Northwest Sinfonietta (NWS) has sought out its newest residency location, and it lies outside the Tacoma city limits.

Pioneer Pavilion in downtown Puyallup is the newest location of one of Puget Sound’s few chamber orchestras. With an established residency already in place at Benaroya Hall in Seattle, NWS Executive Director Neil Birnbaum feels that Puyallup is an area ripe for chamber music.

“We’ve been in discussions with many groups in Puyallup, and have come to the conclusion that the Puyallup valley is emerging and has its own emerging economic identity,” Birnbaum said. “There are lots of people there interested in chamber music and we have a better chance of moving the mountain there than expecting them to drive to Tacoma.”

The Pioneer Pavilion is a city-owned building being made available for free to the organization. The Puyallup School District has an award-winning music program, and Pierce College Puyallup is expanding its music program to accommodate high-school students. Community organizations and Puyallup have been very supportive to NWS, and it is grateful.

“I can’t tell you the thousands of dollars in rental fees that saved. The Puyallup City Council is being generous, and voted to do this for us,” Birnbaum affirmed.

Along with the residency, NWS is bringing some of its other not so obvious services to the Puyallup area, such as educational services, and services to engage the community in great music, Birnbaum explained.

“We expect to get involved in the whole community,” Birnbaum stated.

NWS’ two community programs are Orchestra at Work and Heart Strings. The first program is comprised of two, 65-minute sessions that detail exactly all that is needed to prepare and go through an orchestra rehearsal, from collaboration with the conductor to the musicians and including each subtle nuance that brings the shows together.

With Heart Strings, NWS partners with local social service organizations and makes it possible for those they serve who otherwise could not afford to come to a concert or could not attend because of physical concerns or other ailments.

The experiences prove to be fulfilling and enriching to these individuals and, according to Birnbaum, have proven to be spiritually healing.

The first show to be held as part of the NWS in Puyallup residency will be a Valentine’s Day show with the organization’s jazz ensemble.

“To introduce ourselves to the community and spread word that we’re coming, we thought it’d be better to start more informally,” Birnbaum said. “Our jazz ensemble will be playing a Valentine’s Day ‘music for lovers’ concert. We want to reach out to the greatest number of people, and to those who come out and hear more than just the regular symphony,” he affirmed.

The first official show for the NWS at the Pioneer Park Pavilion is going to take place on April 18 and will feature Mozart’s “Requiem,” a major piece that was featured in the movie “Amadeus.”

“It’s one of those great life-affirming pieces that everyone knows and wants to hear,” Birnbaum said of the choice.

The organization’s full orchestra will be in attendance as well as other instruments plus an 80-piece choir and four soloists. The total number of shows to be played at the Puyallup residency site is still being discussed.

 “We have an idea, but the official announcement is going to be coming out on March 24, and we’re still planning it,” Birnbaum explained.

NWS is looking at doing at least a minimum of five Sunday matinees and possibly additional special events, such as the possibility of a Viennese ball and other things.

“We’re looking at doing a concert that we do in Seattle and Tacoma, but we will also do a series of things we do in Puyallup only,” Birnbaum said.

For the site of the season, the city of Puyallup is going to build a stage inside Pioneer Park Pavilion, converting it to a hall. NWS will offer cabaret-style seating at concerts, and if audience members approve it will be in the plans for next year. Additionally, HG Bistro and Savory and Sweet Caterers of Puyallup will be offering no-host bars as well as food onsite for both events of the NWS’ introductory Puyallup concerts. Dinner and brunch packages at HG Bistro prior to or after concerts will also be offered.

NWS’ residency programs offer the chamber music excellence offered regularly by the organization in Tacoma to other cities and communities desiring the same artistic experiences in their neck of the woods.

Northwest Sinfonietta’s residency at the Pioneer Park Pavilion, located at 330 S. Meridian Ave., will start this Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14 with the Northwest Sinfonietta Jazz Ensemble at 7 p.m. Tickets will be offered at a special introductory price of $20 each for this show. For the first Northwest Sinfonietta chamber orchestra show on April 18 at 2 p.m., tickets will be general price at $25 for cabaret seating and $30 for basic seating. For more information and to purchase tickets, call 1 (800) 838-3006 or visit http://www.nwsinfonietta.org. 

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