FORE the ARTS Golf Tournament - August 24, 2009

It was BEAUTIFUL day at Rock Creek Country Club!

68 golfers hit the course for an afternoon scramble benefiting MEET the BEAT, the education program of the Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra.

A big thank you to the players, the hole sponsors, Monte Shelton Motors for the Jaguar at the Hole In One (bummer--nobody won it!), Titleist, and all the auction donors and great volunteers.

Because of your generosity, children, families and individuals served through social service agencies, will MEET the BEAT!

Check out the string quintet of 5 Notes (Ashley, Lauren, Taylor Yoon & Hailey and Lindsey Kang) as they played for the tournament dinner!

Chamber Camp of Portland 2009

114 students enjoyed a week of Chamber Camp on the campus of the University of Portland. From master classes to ensembles to full orchestra rehearsals. Thank you to the faculty and staff for creating a very fun week! Special thanks to Robert Leong for the great photography. To see more of his work visit: http://www.gallery.me.com/robertleong/100929.

Thank you Jennifer!

Jennifer A Pittsley completed her tenure as President of the Board of Directors on Sunday, August 2. Jennifer has worked tirelessly on the Board for the last twelve seasons in various capacities. As a CPA, she was the treasurer for two years before managing the front of the house at concerts for several seasons followed by two years as Vice-President and then serving as President for the last three seasons. During Jennifer's service, Portland Columbia grew from a a six-concert series to twelve and from a $125,000 budget to over $300,000.

Our deepest gratitude to Jennifer for a job well done. And with all best wishes to her in all her future plans. Thank you, thank you!

Board President gets Mauied!

Board President Jennifer Pittsley and John Raitz were married in Hawaii in February. Our best wishes for a long and prosperous future!

ALL THAT GLITTERED

CSO celebrated its annual Gala Dinner Concert & Auction on January 24, 2009 at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront. Over 200 guests attended the event and raised over $50,000 for the Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra.

Attendees were especially enthralled with violinist Brandon Garbot's magnificent performances in Massenet's "Meditation" and Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy.

Thank you to our Auctioneer Tom Fletcher, Director of Sponsorship with the Portland Trailblazers (pictured below with CSO Executive Director Betsy Hatton), all the Auction Donors, the hard-working CSO Board Members, and generous Patrons for a successful evening of beautiful music and fundraising.

Honoring Marty Hernandez

CSO was proud to honor one of our faithful volunteers, Marty Hernandez, this week at the Annual Golden Notes Luncheon hosted by the Gresham Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to playing in the orchestra for twenty years, Marty is the self-appointed social coordinator that makes sure birthdays, weddings, graduations, babies are appropriately celebrated with cards, gifts, and parties. She also takes days off of work to help run our fundraising events such as the golf tournament and the annual Gala.

What is so great about Marty is that she does all this without being asked and with such a gracious spirit---Thank you Marty---you are truly an inspiration and we appreciate you!

Just a Little Wolf

One of the amazing things about live classical music is the opportunity to be transported to another time and place.

Like childhood.

Like listening to the LP or cassette of Peter & The Wolf with the stirring narration of Peter Ustinov or Leonard Bernstein while you danced around the living room.

And new generations of children still get introduced to the instruments, sounds, and the magic of music through this timeless work.

Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra is proud to produce its version of Peter & The Wolf complete with puppets from Tears of Joy as part of their annual Holiday Gift to the community. In case you missed the performance, take a look at the awe and wonder on these faces as they 'pet' the Wolf, bang and blow on instruments in the 'petting zoo', and appreciate original artwork created by students at Concord, Markham, and Woodlawn Schools.

The Portland Strings, under the direction of Camilla Wilson Scott, presented a special pre-concert Christmas Medley. Special musical guests the Encore Singers from the Portland Symphonic Girlchoir joined the orchestra for second half holiday music including a carol singalong.

In this crazy busy season, take some time to let yourself be transported.