Featuring the finest musicians in Jefferson City and Columbia, the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra is sure to leave its audience in awe of its musical prowess as well as the meaning behind its creation.
The result of a "perfect storm" of intersecting interests, the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra will perform three pieces including Chopin's "Andante Spianto & Grande Polonaisse," featuring Jefferson City resident Gary Sanders on the piano, at its debut performance Dec. 16.
One element of this "perfect storm," as conductor and artistic director Patrick Clark describes it, is the new pastor of the Central United Church of Christ, the Rev. Rushan Sinnaduray. Sinnaduray is making strides to increase the community outreach and visibility of the church.
Central United Church of Christ, a longtime cornerstone of Jefferson City's Old Munichburg neighborhood, has been particularly notable in its contribution to local music through Carl E. Burkel.
Burkel is considered a legend among Jefferson City musicians for his contributions as a talented organist and conductor. He served as choral director at Jefferson City High School as well as music director and conductor of the Jefferson City Symphony until his death in 1995.
"Carl Burkel was a true maestro in his ability to assemble the youth in various choirs and orchestras inspiring a common cause in music, and has left a legacy of memories that one might call a 'golden age' in the Jefferson City musical arts," Clark said.
In increasing community outreach and preserving the message Burkel left behind, an idea began to develop in Clark's mind.
The Southside Philharmonic Orchestra derives its name from its location, on the south side of Jefferson City, where the Old Munichburg Association has a long-term mission to revitalize this historic neighborhood. With the annual celebration of Oktoberfest as a tribute to the German history of the area, as well as rehabilitation of the area's historic homes, the Central United Church of Christ is beginning to re-emerge as the cornerstone of Old Munichburg with the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra playing a leading role.
Clark is the third element pulling the orchestra together. As a conductor and composer, he receives endless gratification in bringing people together for musical projects. Seizing the opportunity to aid in the church's outreach, preserve its history as an epicenter of musicality, and bring a refreshing musical setting to Jefferson City, Clark founded the Southside Philharmonic Orchestra.
"In this case, I have founded the (orchestra) for the purpose of playing some music that doesn't always fit the ensembles already established in Jefferson City - something like the 'new wine in old wineskins' question," Clark said.
In Jefferson City, the chamber orchestra will find a niche between the large-scale Jefferson City Symphonic Orchestra, which Clark also directs, and the small ensembles pieced together by Clark for productions of The Little Theatre.
The Southside Philharmonic Orchestra is a "nimble chamber orchestra capable of playing the classics in a clean and transparent manner," Clark said.
This depends heavily on community support and involvement.
"We will have 31 musicians participating in this concert," Clark said. "The logistical challenges are significant. We cannot put an event like this together without the support of the community. The contributions of local businesses and volunteers cannot be overestimated, and they indicate that the upcoming concert and future performances are truly a community effort."
The orchestra's debut concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of Central United Church of Christ. The evening will begin with Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Suite," guest conducted by Gesus Gomez, a young violinist from Spain studying at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition to "Andante Spianto & Grande Polonaisse" the orchestra will perform Beethoven's "Symphony No. 7."
Tickets are $10 for regular pew seating or $18 for the first three rows and balcony seating, and are available for purchase online at SPOJCtickets.eventbrite.com or at the door. The orchestra can be contacted at [email protected] or 573-635-1041.