About SOGO

MISSION
The mission of SOGO is to provide a challenging, fully integrated music experience for the young musician that includes orchestra and ensemble performances, music education and a broad spectrum of music-related activities.

SOGO HISTORY
In August of 2000 two ambitious local high school music students, with the help of other young musicians, their families and music teachers, created SOGO. Ample energy and a fresh vision for building a student-led organization make SOGO unique.
The first season, two orchestras were created and performed three concerts each.  Other performances included the sold out SOGO HO HO Brass Choir holiday concert, a free-to-the-public Messiah Sing-Along, a Children’s Concert tour to local schools, and small ensembles performing at the spring Arts Walk in downtown Olympia. 

SOGO PRESENT
Now in our tenth season, SOGO has over 150 young musicians from over 20 different schools in the South Sound area.  The concert season includes three performances in the Washington Center, two holiday concerts, a Children's Concert, and the Instrument Petting Zoo during the annual Olympia Spring Arts Walk.  SOGO members are involved in weekly full orchestra rehearsals including, string and wind ensembles, brass choir, chamber music, sectionals, music history, theory and composition.

SOGO PROGRAM
SOGO features a comprehensive and sequential program designed to grow student abilities in sight-reading, basic to advanced instrument pedagogy and musical artistry.  These goals are achieved by playing selections from the standard orchestral repertoire.  Music is selected to represent various genres, cultures and historical periods.  Using this quality literature, we focus on technique, rhythm, intonation, ensemble and listening skills along with individual, section and orchestral sound development.  Music selections generally increase in difficulty as the season progresses and the foundations for good orchestral playing develop within the individual and ensemble.