Inland Northwest Musicians will ring in the season with a pair of holiday concerts.
Lori Johnson, INWM program co-manager, said between the orchestra and chorale about 80 musicians will help set the tone for the festive event. Co-manager Payton Baxter said the program features a variety of holiday pieces, including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Tidings of Great Joy” and selections from the “Nutcracker Suite.”
The holiday concerts are Saturday, Dec. 16, in the Stanfield School District’s middle school gym and Sunday, Dec. 17, in the Connell High School auditorium, in Connell, Washington. Both programs begin at 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Johnson — the orchestra’s principal second violin player who also sings second soprano and first alto with the chorale — has been involved with the organization for 14 years. The holiday concerts are a longstanding tradition.
“It’s such a wonderful way to celebrate the season,” she said. “And to be able to do it with music at the holiday time is special.”
The program, Baxter said, also includes “Russian Christmas Music.” She described it as a set of themes representing the Christmas liturgy as performed by the Russian Orthodox Church, complete with the “ringing of bells and joining of voices in celebration.”
For the finale, the audience is invited to join a sing-along. It features five Christmas songs, “Joy to the World,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Away In A Manger,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
“It brings the audience members together, unifying their involvement,” Johnson said. “It makes for a really joyous enhancement to the program.”
Throughout the years, Johnson said approximately 10-20% of the musicians are students. In addition, teens often help with concerts, including setting up and handing out programs. During the Washington performance, she said about 20 Connell choir students and a pair of teachers will perform with the Inland Musicians.
Music on the move since 1999
Johnson said the holiday season typically includes two and sometimes three performances. At least one, she said, is always held in the Hermiston area, where the organization is based.
“Traditionally, in the last several years, it’s either been in Echo, Hermiston or Stanfield,” she said.
During a fall interview, Concertmaster Alice Massey, an INWM founding member, said the Connell concert was added to the holiday season itinerary more than a decade ago. The group initially participated in Connell’s centennial celebration.
“That community was so thrilled with our presence there that the trip became an annual event,” Massey said.
Such outreach, Johnson said, is one of the main goals of the organization. INWM was founded in 1999 to provide live musical performances to rural audiences.
In addition, it fosters an atmosphere of encouragement and assists musicians in developing their talent. In addition to the full symphony orchestra and the chorale, INWM also features a youth/preparatory orchestra — the Willow Creek Symphony.
Massey said musicians rehearse about two to three hours each week in preparation for concerts. In addition, Johnson said the instrumentalists and singers are not remunerated for performing.
“It’s completely volunteer,” she said. “We do it for the joy of the music and the communities that we serve.”
Athena resident R. Lee Friese, INWM’s founding music director and conductor, shares baton duties with Associate Conductor Phillip Simpson, of Kennewick. And the musicians, Johnson said, hail from across the region. In addition to Umatilla and Morrow counties, she said musicians come from the Tri-Cities, Walla Walla, Baker City and Enterprise.
“We feel so privileged to constantly and consistently bring quality music to this region,” Johnson said. “We offer music free of charge to places that otherwise might not see a full orchestra.”
