There was no better place to be in Santa Maria on the night of Feb. 28 than the Grace Baptist Church on McCoy Lane. There, a glorious confluence of chorus, symphony orchestra, and dancers delighted a packed house.
The light rain did not keep away several hundred people who came to hear the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society play Rimsky-Korsakov’s magnificent Scheherazade. And to see Allan Hancock College’s Ballet Folklorico present a colorful dance routine. And to hear Hancock’s choral group sing several spirituals and choral arrangements of vintage American music.
I loved the harp, the bagpipe, and the organ. Not to mention the kettle drums, the strings, and the brass section. It was a wonderful program. Dare I add that it was also exciting, amazing, and awesome?
A music critic I am not; I can hardly tell the difference between good and bad. (Is that a tin ear?) But the swells of song that came forth from the stage elevated my spirit and made me feel lucky to be able to be in the room.
Hancock’s president Kevin Walthers and wife Shannon were in the audience, as were former Hancock staff members Eileen Hervey and Edda Hayes. Hancock’s music educator, Dr. Marcus Englemann and wife, Joanna, were also among us.
Longtime Philharmonic supporter George Crosby was with his son Marc, an investment advisor. Marc cheerfully said: “My father dragged me here. He thinks I need culture.” Well, George, don’t we all?
George commented that the ever-effervescent Marian Marrinan, celebrating her 94th birthday the night of the concert, was “in the pink.” This dear lady, known to many as a World War II nurse who still fits into her uniform, sported a lovely fuschia jacket.
Dot Slater, Alice Worhacz, David Baskett, Helmut and Inge Stolch, Bo Cudd, and Dennis Prescott were among the music lovers, as were Jim McGlothlin, Pam Gobel, and Dr. Richard and Ruth Ann Ontell.
We spotted George Majoue, who recently had a triumphant experience reading Peter and the Wolf to school children at recent Philharmonic concerts for kids.
The youngish conductor, Brian Asher Alhadeff, publicly thanked Jim Hardy and the ever-stylish Judy Hearn and Misha and Steve Freyaldenhoven, silver and gold sponsors, respectively, of the event.
At the reception afterwards, the conductor himself received many expressions of gratitude for his passionate and engaging conducting style. He is a warm, communicative man, obviously in love with what he does.
“There are so many conductors,” he told me, “and so few opportunities to conduct. I am fortunate to be able to work with the Santa Maria orchestra.” Right back atcha, Brian!
The after-the-concert reception was an opportunity for schmoozing and connecting with friends and orchestra members. Earlier I had observed a steady parade of ladies bearing gifts—mostly plates of cookies, but veggies and fruit as well, to the kitchen. I have never seen so many cookies and cakes at an event.
Franzitska Shepard, thank you for your kind words. Violinist and Philharmonic board member Lynne Garrett, thank you for the info. Jed Beebe, thank you for your joyous conducting of our favorite song, the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Santa Barbara County supervisors and Santa Maria City Council members: I urge you to attend the next Philharmonic concert and witness for yourself what feeds the souls of your constituents.
Vive le Philharmonic.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Mar 5-12, 2015.