Great music presented at Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra concert

INCLUDES FULL CONCERT VIDEO | Even better than seeing pictures of the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra, as it brings fine music to outer East Portland, is being able to watch the entire performance! And, to experience their great music – including the world premiere of a new symphonic piece, coming up on May 5 …

In the Hazelwood neighborhood, members of the audience find their seats as the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert is about to begin.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Although it was chilly and raining outside, it was warm and comfortable inside the Sunnyside Seventh-Day Adventist Church, as folks were gathering for the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra (SSO) Winter Concert on Sunday afternoon, February 25.

As is their custom, the program began with a “Pre-concert Talk” at 3:15 p.m. by Conductor Jonathan DeBruyn – who spoke about the music, the composers, and behind the scenes information on the orchestra.

SSO Conductor Jonathan DeBruyn responds to a question during the ‘Q & A’ portion of his pre-concert talk.

“I’m delighted at how our season has gone so far,” DeBruyn told East Portland News after his talk, and just before the concert began at 4 p.m.

“Today’s program is a wonderful mix of liturgical and springtime music,” DeBruyn remarked. “So, we have music – while much of it is religious in nature – that is universal in its appeal. We also have Ottorino Respighi – The Birds; which is also perfect for this time of year.

SSO Conductor Jonathan DeBruyn leads the orchestra through a mix of liturgical and springtime music.

Asked how he selects the program for the afternoon, DeBruyn replied, “I look at the time, the season of the year – and here we are, entering the spring, and the season of Lent. So I felt that the Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov – Russian Easter Festival Overture was a perfect fit.”

Choral Arts Ensemble Assistant Artistic Director Megan Elliott conducts the combined choirs.

In terms of the Beethoven, DeBruyn pointed out that they were suggested by Dr. David De Lyser, the director of the Choral Arts Ensemble – a group that was performing with the SSO during the afternoon’s concert. “I thought it, too, was a perfect fit for this concert,” the conductor commented.

“I love working with this orchestra; it’s wonderful group of people who are talented musicians,” commented DeBruyn. “They’re really passionate about playing really great music.”

Watch, and listen, to this entire concert – professionally recorded and produced on video by the Sunnyside Seventh-Day Adventist Church’s production team:

Spring concert on May 5
Consider attending in person the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra’s Spring Concert on May 5h. The “Pre-concert Talk” by Cnductor DeBruyn begins at 3 p.m.

Here’s the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra, in concert.

Then, at 4 p.m., DeBruyn will conduct this great orchestra in a concert that includes the World Premiere of Randall DeBruyn’s St. John Suite. Also, enjoy Symphony No. 3 “Organ” by Camille Saint-Saens, featuring organist Brooke Benfield at the church’s magnificent pipe organ!

It’s taking place at the Sunnyside Seventh-Day Adventist Church, at 10501 SE Market Street, 97216. For more information, and, to find a link to their live stream of the concert, see their website: CLICK HERE.

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