For the Reporter
The Auburn Symphony Orchestra returns Thursday, July 9, to open its third season of Sunsets at Mary Olson Farm, an outdoor summer chamber music series at the historic farm.
Set along the Green River, Mary Olson Farm is King County’s best preserved subsistence farm.
The 7 p.m. concert, Celebrating America, includes Dvorak’s American String Quartet and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture – beloved patriotic favorites. The program includes Copland’s “Hoe Down” from Rodeo, and Ungar’s haunting Ashokan Farewell is a classic folk lullaby.
Talented local students join in to make the concert a multi-generational, all-American good time.
Other concerts
On July 23, Magical Strings showcases Auburn Symphony string players along with Phil and Pam Boulding, parents of ASO concertmaster Brittany Boulding and founders of Magical Strings, an Olalla-based ensemble playing dulcimers, harps, violins and more.
Magical Strings has toured throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland, and Japan, appeared on Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion” and recorded 20 albums on four labels.
Cellists of Auburn Symphony on Aug. 6 features soprano Natalie Lerch joined by five of Auburn Symphony’s fine cellists and three exceptional local student cellists. Repertoire includes Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Cellos, Grieg’s spooky Hall of the Mountain King, Piazzolla’s fiery Libertango, and Villa Lobos’ haunting Bachianas Brasilieras No. 5.
The series
All concerts begin at 7 p.m. White River Valley Historical Museum docents will give tours of the farm including the fully-restored house and barn beginning at 6 p.m. Wine will be available by donation and a shuttle transporting people to and from the parking lot will occur one-half hour before concert start time and one-half hour after the concerts end.
Concerts at Mary Olson Farm are festival seating with limited wheelchair and walker access. Blankets, baskets of food, and low chairs are encouraged.
The farm is at 28728 Green River Road.
Sunsets at the Mary Olson Farm is made possible with support from White River Valley Historical Museum, City of Auburn Arts Commission, and Garneau-Nicon Foundation.
Season tickets are $48 for adults. Single tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for students. To order, call 253-887-7777 or purchase at auburnsymphony.org.
About ASO
Founded in 1996, the fully-professional orchestra includes more than over 60 musicians led by Stewart Kershaw, internationally-renowned conductor and former music director for 25 years of the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra.
