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closeEditor's column: Puyallup’s own orchestra is exciting venture
By Heather Meier/of The Herald
When Northwest Sinfonietta leaders were looking into expanding the orchestra’s presence in the South Sound, Puyallup wasn’t a spot that came immediately to mind.
From the outside looking in, it may seem as though Puyallup’s farming roots are still deep in the valley soil. The pace is slower here, it has a small-town feel and most residents can easily name the original settlers to the area.
Puyallup is where you head for The Fair, not for Mozart.
After taking a look around, orchestra director Neil Birnbaum and other board members agreed. They were drawn to the community spirit of Puyallup.
Before their first performance this Sunday, Valentine’s Day, the orchestra gathered at Puyallup High School to give students an opportunity to interact with the musicians.
The logistics of taking students to a concert is unrealistic, Birnbaum said. Between the cost of busing students to an orchestra hall and complicated arrangements, it’s like trying to move a mountain.
“It’s simpler,” he said, “to bring the orchestra to the mountain.”
It’s not any cheap venture for the Sinfonietta, either, but Birnbaum believes it’s part of being in a community.
“Because if we don’t, who will?” he said. “I do believe it’s our obligation.”
But, he’ll readily admit there’s some ulterior motive there: Today’s students could be tomorrow’s subscribers.
One of the challenges he faces is making every performance appealing to a wide range of people.
“We play Western European music by a bunch of dead white guys,” he said.
It can get a little old for some, he said, so they try to spice things up whenever possible. For example, in a recent performance, one of the orchestra members was dressed as Elvis.
The Northwest Sinfonietta started talks with the city almost six months ago with dreams of having a complete 2010 season in Puyallup. But one thing after another got in the way, so there will be only two performances this year — “Music for Lovers” on Valentine’s Day and “Mozart Requiem,” which Birnbaum refers to as the “Sistine Chapel of classical music,” on April 18.
Next year’s line-up, which will be announced in March, will include five performances. He’s even considering holding a Viennese Ball on New Year’s Eve, something that will draw the orchestra’s regular patrons out of Tacoma and Seattle and into Puyallup.
Having the Northwest Sinfonietta make Puyallup its new home is an asset to the community. It brings people here for dinner and after-concert drinks. Perhaps they will drive by shops that pique their interest and make a return visit. This is a relationship that should be nurtured.