INCLUDES TUNEFUL VIDEO | This was another great concert in outer East Portland – read all about it (and see photos, too!). They’ve got another concert coming up on June 11 …
Tuba player Robin Ruzek warms up before the East County Community Orchestra concert begins, in the Hazelwood neighborhood.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
As intermittent showers and downpours of rain swept across outer East Portland on April 2nd, volunteer musicians in the East County Community Orchestra (ECCO) made their way into the Horner Auditorium at David Douglas High School.
The weather also didn’t keep a good-sized audience from making their way into the theater to enjoy another concert.
Dr. Roger Nickerson conducts the ECCO as they play Leroy Anderson’s Blue Tango.
Before the 3 p.m. start time, ECCO Musical Director and Conductor Dr. Roger Nickerson jovially remarked, “Since the weather is so wet, it seems that the music we’ve chosen for today is fitting, with ‘water’ being the ‘theme of the day’ – including tunes from Showboat and Shenandoah, along with other great special pieces.”
This is the 48th season for the orchestra; Nickerson pointed out, and it’s his own tenth season with ECCO.
The East County Community Orchestra musically entertains the audience.
Asked how the music is chosen, Nickerson responded, “I selected the pieces, with the help of the group.
“About once a year, we take a poll of the group, and we ask about the favorite pieces they’ve done, and ones they look forward to playing – and, from that, we pick ten pieces for every concert,” Nickerson told East Portland News, as the musicians were warming up.
“Marches are a favorite of both our players and of the audience. Broadway show tunes are a close second,” Nickerson remarked. “And then, we learn some classical and less-known pieces, to get our members thinking outside the usual music genre!”
Watch, and listen, as the ECCO plays a couple of selections:
As is their tradition, the program started off with the Star Spangled Banner. Immediately, they transitioned into the Leroy Anderson favorite, Blue Tango.
The first portion of the program continued with an “English Folk Suite”, circa 1923, including the song Seventeen Come Sunday.
Just before the intermission, former big band leader, teacher and trumpeter Jack Mahoney (left) is honored with a plaque –- for supporting the organization for decades, and also for achieving 96 years of age!
These “saxy” fellows, ECCO clarinetists Gregg Mitchell and Mark Ortloff, play tunes on saxophones during the intermission.
Keeping within their “water theme” for the April concert,m the ECCO started off their program’s second half by presenting the American folk song Shenandoah.
Next, the climate changed, as they moved into a tropical motif with “South Pacific Highlights” by Rogers and Hammerstein – including tunes from the show such as Some Enchanted Evening, the haunting Bali Ha’i.
ECCO’s First flautist and Assistant Director Curt Cassingham conduct the Orchestra.
Picking up the tempo was the Thunder and Lightning Polka by Johan Strauss Jr., followed by The Liberty Bell March by John Philip Sousa; the program ended with Radetzky March by Johan Strauss Sr..
Summer Concert on June 11
At 3 p.m. on June 11th, members of the ECCO will present a FREE Summer Concert. Selections will include several marches, featuring “Dambusters March” written by Eric Coates and arranged by David Andrew, from the 1955 English World War II movie “The Dam Busters.” There will be a special presentation of “Fiddler on the Roof”, as well.
This afternoon of delightful music will take place in the Horner Performing Arts Center at David Douglas High School, 1400 SE 130th Avenue – between Stark and Division Streets.
Support the East County Community Orchestra by attending their next concert!
Learn more about the East County Community Orchestra and its impressive history, as well as how you can help keep the music playing – with a donation! – by visiting their official website: CLICK HERE.
© 2023 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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