Orchestra gives local musicians the opportunity to perform
Locally sourced Energy Corridor of Houston Orchestra will resume the 2015-16 season in the spring with a concert presenting music inspired by China, India, Taiwan, Korea and the Middle East and featuring classical Indian dance group Silambam Houston before winding up with a Memorial Day celebration.
In the meantime, the orchestra is having a fundraiser combining music and painting on Feb. 13. And for a preview of the talent that makes up the 60- to 70-member orchestra, ECHO’s string quartet Opus 4 will perform on Feb. 21 at Bernhardt Winery in Plantersville.
By featuring arts organizations such as Silambam Houston and creating small chamber groups, founder Sarah McDonner is hoping to reach a broader audience for ECHO, a full orchestra now in its second season.
McDonner also hopes the local venues, a catered dinner before the big con- certs and modest ticket prices will attract more concert goers.
“We are the only arts or- ganization in the Energy Corridor area whose purpose is to serve the community with something cultural at a low or minimal cost,” she said. While the orchestra offers locals an inexpensive, orchestral musical experience close to home — the average ticket price is $15 — it also pro-
vides a performance outlet for talented amateur and semi-professional musicians who live and work in the Energy Corridor in west Houston.
“We provide lots of opportunities for students 18 and under to develop and pursue classical music, but adults don’t have the same opportunities,” said Michael Fahey, ECHO’s conductor and musical director. “Once folks hit adulthood there has been a missing piece in our com- munity.”
Fahey, also the orchestra director at Stratford High School in Spring Branch Independent School District, said ECHO helps close that gap.
McDonner was one such musician seeking an outlet to perform, which drove her to create the orchestra.
A flute player with a degree in music performance from Denison University and a masters in flute performance from Ithaca College, McDonner, who returned to west Houston after college, had become frustrated with the lack of opportunities to perform.
“All the orchestras I tried out for were filled with flute spots already,” said McDonner, who gives private flute lessons.
McDonner set up the nonprofit organization with Laura Williamson, ECHO’s vice president and a violinist, enlisted Fahey, the musicians and board members and launched the first season in September 2014.
“I performed my entire life, and I love to share music with people and share with other musicians and make it sound good,” McDonner said. “It’s fun. It’s moving. I just enjoy it.”
Board member Ray Patton, a partner with law firm Sloan & Moyer, this season’s lead sponsor, came on board because he appreciated the talent and passion of the musicians and what the orchestra was doing for the local community.
“It aligned with our desire to do better for the community,” Patton said.
McDonner, a graduate of Westside High School, acknowledged that building an audience is a challenge, but is encouraged by a slow, steady growth.
She is striving to build on the momentum with education and outreach through private lessons that the musicians offer and performances by the chamber groups, which also include woodwind quintet, jazz trio and brass quintet. Want to go?
The fundraiser is from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Art Cellar of Houston, 1460 Eldridge Parkway. Tickets are $50.
The Bernhardt Winery concert is from 3:30-6 p.m. Feb. 21, at 9043 County Road204 in Plantersville.
“East by Southeast” is from 7-9 p.m. April 24 at BridgePoint Bible Church, 13277 Katy Freeway.
The Memorial Day Celebration is scheduled for May 30 at Memorial Oaks Cemetery. Details: www. echorchestra.org.