Session 81: Rainbow First Friday
Join us on June 3 as part of Oakland's First Friday to celebrate Pride Month with Session 81 at Chabot Space & Science Center as we explore the science and cultural significance of rainbows! The public is also invited to join Chabot astronomers on the Observatory Deck for a free telescope viewing to explore planets, stars, and more (weather permitting) and then wander over to the auditorium next door for a symphonic Awesöme session you won’t forget!
Full Session Details
WHEN: Friday, June 3, 2022, 6:30-9:30pm
WHERE: Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd, Oakland, CA 94619
The Session will be held in Studio 3 next to the Chabot Observation Deck, in the back of the museum by the telescope domes.
COST: Free for participating musicians. Audience will need to purchase tickets ($15 for adults / $10 for kids) from Chabot for this event. Buy your tickets here.
TRANSPORTATION SUGGESTIONS: This venue is not accessible via public transportation. Please join our Discord to coordinate a carpool! Driving directions can be found here.
PARKING: Free parking for musicians is available in the Staff Lot (near the Observatory). For audience members, convenient, free parking is available in the adjacent 3-level parking structure.
REPERTOIRE & SCHEDULE
conducted by Artistic Director David Möschler, Associate Artistic Director Brian Adam McCune, and Guest Conductor, Martha Stoddard
6:30 - 7:20pm: Intro and two separate songs
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg (arranged for strings by Merle J. Isaac)INSTRUMENTATION: violin I, II, violas, cellos (no double basses) and guest solo vocalist (TBA)
"How Deep Is Your Love" by The Bee Gees (arranged Brian Adam McCune)
INSTRUMENTATION: 2 flutes, 1 oboe, 1 English horn, 2 clarinets (B-flat), 2 bassoons, 4 horns (F), 3 trumpets (C), 2 trombones, 1 bass trombone, 1 tuba, timpani, 2 percussion (vibraphone, glockenspiel), strings, solo vocalist, 1 tenor sax, 1 trumpet (B-flat), 1 keyboard, 1 electric guitar, 1 electric bass, 1 drum set
7:30 - 8:20pm: Blue Cathedral for orchestra by Jennifer Higdon
INSTRUMENTATION: 2 flutes (2nd doubles piccolo), 2 oboes (2nd doubles English horn), 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns (F), 3 trumpets (C), 3 trombones, 1 tuba, timpani, 3 percussion (crotales, marimba, tam tam, vibraphone, glockenspiel, belltree, cymbals, chimes, bass drum, tom tom, 2 triangles), 1 harp, 1 piano doubling celesta, strings
8:35-9:30pm: "Jupiter" from The Planets Suite for orchestra by Gustav Holst
INSTRUMENTATION: 2 piccolos, 2 flutes, 3 oboes, 1 english horn, 3 clarinets (B-flat), 1 bass clarinet (B-flat), 3 bassoons, 1 contrabassoon, 6 horns (F), 4 trumpets (C), 2 trombones, 1 bass trombone, 1 tenor tuba (B-flat), 1 tuba, 6 timpani (two players), 5 percussion (triangle, tambourine, cymbals, bass drum, glockenspiel), 2 harps, strings
>> Take a peek at the sheet music here! <<
(Blue Cathedral will be added May 20)
Meet Guest Conductor Martha Stoddard
Martha Stoddard (Marty) took the reins of the Oakland Civic Orchestra (OCO) in 1997, and has led the orchestra through a major transformation over the past two decades. Praised for her clarity, generosity and vision, she continues to guide the orchestra through the unfolding challenges facing our wider community, while continually striving for artistic excellence.
Stoddard is a strong advocate for living composers and has conducted many premieres and commissions in multiple orchestras, most recently featuring works by Jessica Krash and Niko Umar Durr. In celebration of her 25th Season as Artistic Director, OCO has commissioned a new work in her honor from frequent collaborator and internationally recognized composer, Alexis Alrich. www.alexisalrich.com
In 2019 she was named a semi-finalist in the American Prize Competition for Conductors, Community Orchestra Division, and advanced as a finalist in July of 2020. Simultaneously she brought the orchestra into the final round of the Ernst Bacon Prize for the Performance of American Music, for their performance of Bruce Reiprich's Lullaby featuring Christina Owens Walton, violin; J.P. Johnson's Harlem Symphony; and her own Waltz for the Fun of It.
After a lengthy search spanning the course of the pandemic, Marty was recently named Conductor of the Holy Names University Community Orchestra and will commence her duties in July 2022. She assumed the role of conductor for the newly-formed Piedmont Chamber Orchestra in 2019, and held the position of Resident Conductor for Enriching Lives Through Music from 2017-2019. From 2012-2014 she served as Program Director for the John Adams Young Composers Program at the Crowden Music Center, and still frequently appears as Associate Conductor of the San Francisco Composers’ Chamber Orchestra, conducting new works by local composers.
Stoddard recently retired from Lick-Wilmerding High School after serving for thirty years as Director of Instrumental Music and the Chair of the Performing Arts and is happily filling up her time with more music and more tennis.
FOR MUSICIANS
We will have space for 12 flutes, 4 oboes, 12 clarinets, 4 bassoons, 2 tenor saxophones, 8 horns, 6 trumpets, 8 trombones, 2 tubas, 8 percussion, 3 harps, 3 keyboards, 32 violins, 12 violas, 16 cellos, and 8 double basses.
Be sure to sign up early as we expect some sections to fill up quickly! You can expect an email from your Awesöme Ambassadors with specific info by Wednesday, May 25 (check your spam filters if this is your first session). Email your ambassadors if you haven't heard back by Wednesday, May 25. (Please be patient—they have a lot of information to collect before emailing everyone.) Their information can be found here.
FOR AUDIENCE MEMBERS
Session 81 at Chabot Space & Science Center will require audience members to purchase a ticket to First Friday: Rainbows. You can buy your ticket ($15 adults, $10 kids/seniors and $5 members) here.
COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS
*** Please note that proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 AND booster shot is required to participate in this session as a musician ***
You’ll be asked to upload a copy of your vaccination card (photo of your paper copy or screenshot of your digital card) when you sign up as a musician. California residents may get a digital copy of their vaccine record at: https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/
This is an INDOOR session. All attendees and participants will be REQUIRED to wear face masks, except for winds and brass when actively playing their instruments, guest vocalists, and conductors.
While Awesöme Orchestra is requiring proof of vaccination for participating musicians, this venue is not requiring it for audience members.