INCLUDES FULL CONCERT VIDEO | See why we believe that performances in this orchestra in outer East Portland rival any you’ll experience in downtown Portland. And, learn here about their upcoming Christmas Concert on December 7 …
In the music room, at the Sunnyside Seventh-Day Adventist Church in the Hazelwood neighborhood, members of the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra unpack their instruments to start their 24th season.
Story and photos by David F. Ashton
The Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra (SSO) started off their 24th season on October 19 with a Fall Concert – to the delight of fine music lovers.
An hour before the concert, the auditorium of the Sunnyside Seventh-Day Adventist Church – which is actually located in Hazelwood – began to fill, as conductor Jonathan DeBruyn continued the tradition of offering a “pre-concert talk” about the music, composers, and behind-the-scenes insights about the orchestra.
The musicians of the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra are in their places as the concert begins.
Between his talk and the concert itself, DeBruyn spoke backstage with East Portland News about the concert, and the organization.
“We’ve got a lot of really good music coming up – and as for this, our first concert of the season, I couldn’t be more excited, as I enter my third season with SSO,” enthused DeBruyn.
Conductor Jonathan DeBruyn leads the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra.
“In my talk we this afternoon, I discussed composer Alexander Borodin, one of those they call the ‘Russian Mighty Five’ – a group of five 19th-Century Russian composers which also include Mily Balakirev, César Cui, Modest Mussorgsky, and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov – all of whom created a distinctly national style of Russian classical music,” informed DeBruyn.
“Today, we’ll be performing Borodin’s In the Steppes of Central Asia, which is a ‘symphonic poem’ or ‘musical tableau’ in which we hear a very ‘oriental’ influence on these Russian composers.
“And, our concert this afternoon also includes Symphony No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 98 by Johannes Brahms – which is the only work of his that until now I’ve never conducted,” DeBruyn declared.
Performing at the SSO’s newly-donated tympany is Heather Henderson; the instrument set was donated by Greg and Jenny Gunston. Jenny was a longtime professional percussionist with the organization.
About the SSO, DeBruyn reflected, “This is a very fine community orchestra. It’s an orchestra that’s really geared toward people who have studied music, and studied their instrument, at a very high level – but are still engaged in other walks of life.
So, while they’re not wanting to play professionally, they still want an opportunity to play a really great repertory at a high level,” he went on.
In performance: It’s the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra.
The other major work performed that afternoon was the elegant, delicate, and magical-sounding Ma mere l’Oye [Mother Goose Suite], by Maurice Ravel.
Watch this video of the concert, produced by the Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist Church staff — and enjoy with us this program of fine music, expertly presented:
December 7: Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Concert
The orchestra’s season continues with a FREE concert on Sunday, December 7, with a ‘Pre-concert Talk’ at 3 p.m. by conductor DeBruyn.
Then, at 4 p.m., the accompanying concert by this outstanding orchestra.
Come to the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas Concert, and you’ll understand why they get standing ovations!
This concert includes:
+ Leroy Anderson’s A Sleigh Ride
+ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Schlittenfahrt (“Sleigh Ride”)
+ Sergei Prokofiev’s Lieutenant Kijé Suite – Georges Bizet, L’Arlésienne Suites, Nos. 1 and 2.
This FREE concert is taking place at the Sunnyside Seventh-Day Adventist Church, located at 10501 SE Market Street, 97216. For more information, and, find a link to their live stream of the concert, see their website: CLICK HERE.
On our Front Page: Trombonists Larry Coates (Principal), Kenneth Biggs and Bass Trombonist Andrew Harris warm up before the concert.
© 2025 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
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