Welcome back to another episode of "Getting to Know Your S.O."! Today, we are lucky to be joined (in more ways than you may think!) by local architect and composer, Chris Karpus. Transitioning to an architectural degree/career following his musical studies in college (2:00), Chris finds the time to do both today, in addition to running two non-profits with his wife, Amy (45:00), raising a family, being part of his church, and apparently even has time to rest (52:00) Learn all about ho...

Welcome back for our fourth episode of the 3rd season of "Getting to Know Your S.O.!" Today, we are excited to welcome guest oboist Cassie Pilgrim to the podcast. Currently serving as Principal Oboe of St. Paul's Chamber Orchestra in Minnesota, Cassie was our guest artist for the "Buona Sera!" concerts in February of 2023. She played Bellini's Oboe Concerto & "Gabriel's Oboe" from The Mission. In today's podcast, we dive into Cassie southern roots (Georgia!), her journey to d...

In this episode, we get to know composer Chris Pilsner! We were fortunate to host Chris as a conductor and guest composer of his piece "Snow Falling in Autumn", that was performed as a side-by-side with the Summerville Orchestra Youth Philharmonic in November of 2022. In this podcast, we talk about composing, the balance of daily life and music, composers everyone should be listening to today, and how we both got started in music. Enjoy this informative and fun episode!! S...

Welcome back for another episode featuring some of our guest artists with the orchestra! This episode introduces us to Dr. Laura Moore Pruett, a musicologist and professor at Merrimack College who specializes in 19th-century American music, specifically focusing on the music of Louis Moreau Gottschalk. The orchestra was fortunate enough to perform Gottschalk's Symphony No. 2 last season on our "American Rhapsody" concert, and listeners will actually hear snippets of the orchestra perfo...

Welcome back to Season 3 of "Get to Know Your S.O.!" In season 3, we highlight some of the guest artists that are coming to perform with our amazing orchestra, and bring you closer to them! Featuring artists from our 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons! In this first episode, we get to know Dr. Robert Auler, piano. Dr. Auler performed "Rhapsody in Blue" on our February 2022 concert, and also gave us a world premiere of a Romance for piano, written for one of our dear season ticket holders. Luc...

Episode 7 - Alternate Careers in "Music", featuring our principal horn, Erin Yardley, who is also an instrument technician with Southern String Supply in Mt. Pleasant. There is a misconception that you have limited options out there when you graduate with a music degree. Basically...you can perform or teach. But...is it true? Today, we talk about the wide variety of career paths that a music degree can set you up for, how a music education can help you learn valuable and hirable skills...

Episode 6 - Music and Health (with Andrew Price) We are more and more aware of how these two worlds co-exist today. Ideally, they form a symbiotic relationship - if you take care of yourself well, then your music will be better for it and you will be healthier in the long run. Managing our physical, mental and emotional conditions, how we fuel ourselves and recharge our batteries, and even how we go about improving or "practicing" daily - its all inter-connected. More importantly - we tackle...

Episode 5 - It's Accessible: Modern Music Debunked PART 2 Here we go again! Today? The 1960s through the present day. Ever been put off by 20th century orchestral music? Too "modern sounding" for you? Not enough melody? Prefer Rachmaninoff or Tchaikovsky? If you've answered "yes" to any of the above, boy do we have the show for you! Today, Drew & I show you just how accessible 20th Century music can be! After introducing the "how" and "why" of this episode, Drew and I dive into...

Episode 4 - It's Accessible: Modern Music Debunked (feat. Drew Hamrick) Ever been put off by 20th century orchestral music? Too "modern sounding" for you? Not enough melody? Prefer Rachmaninoff or Tchaikovsky? If you've answered "yes" to any of the above, boy do we have the show for you! Today, Drew & I show you just how accessible 20th Century music can be! After introducing the "how" and "why" of this episode, Drew and I dive into each decade of the 20th century and show you examples...

Episode 3 - Should you get a music degree these days? With everything going on in the world, it may seem a better time to ask: should you get a music degree with that industry basically at a standstill right now? Inn today's podcast, we attempt to give you some facts and data to help you make that decision for yourself. Its a highly personal one, with highly personal variables and goals, and for that reason - we try to steer away from a yes or no. We just help give you some things to t...

Episode 2 - Discipline vs. Motivation (and how Practicing fits into that) Rarely will you hear a podcast episode that links Navy SEAL culture and Samurai Bushido to Music. But, thats sort of the premise of today's podcast; there is a common thread and link amongst the highest-level performers in the world - whether you're an athlete, elite warrior, world-class musician, business leader, or whatever it is that you do. Regardless, someone is the best in the world at it, and they got there most...

Season 2, Episode 1 Welcome back everyone! We're back for another season of "Get to know your S.O.!" This time, things are a bit different; we're going to be covering music topics that are relevant, interesting, fun, and...well..things we want you to know! Topics chosen by us, your Summerville Orchestra. Today's topic: Edmund Thornton Jenkins. Arguably a forgotten composer, this Charleston native wrote some incredible music in his short life. He spent a large portion of his life abroa...

Episode 16 - Looking back on 2020, Whats Ahead in 2021, and some personal reflections You know...its been quite the year. Quite the fall. That goes without saying these days, but there has been some good to come out of it! This past fall for us has been an evolution...growth...change...re-definition of what is normal. And we've learned, grown, and are now stronger because of it. Don't remember? Come listen to what we were up to this past fall, including our live events, digital offerings, ed...

Episode 15 - Jan Coldwell - double reeds Its finally here! Our interview with Jan! You know those people that are angels behind the scenes, do so much for an organization, and rarely get the praise they should? That sums up Jan in a nutshell, so I am THRILLED to have her as my guest today. Naturally, Jan didn't want to at first, but we're lucky she decided to join us today. We discuss everything from her various roles in the Summerville Orchestra, including her pre-concert talks for o...

Episode 14 - Jon & Julie Thornton From hanging out (and playing!) with jazz royalty, to playing in chamber groups and orchestras around the Carolinas, Jon & Julie Thornton have made diverse musical backgrounds sync up perfectly, as we hear in today's podcast. In fact, it was their differing backgrounds that was the reason they met, playing in a brass quintet in Charlotte. Come hear that story and many more, including Jon's time playing with several big names in jazz (I won't ruin the...

Episode 13 - Harry & Ellen Dykeman, Trumpet & Bassoon, Musicians' Board Members Married 47 years this past August, Harry & Ellen make up a vital part of our orchestra. Not only do they bless us with their talents, but also their passion, energy and drive. They are current members of our Musicians' Board, and are actively engaged in promoting and growing our orchestra. Join us today to hear all about how they met, Harry's time playing in the Army Band in D.C., Ellen's career in hi...

Episode 12 - Frank Miley, Oboe & English Horn. Ever wonder what its like to play in the Charleston Symphony? Or, how to make life-long friends in the music business? Just ask Frank Miley! Today, we dive into Frank's story, and hear about his journey from playing clarinet, learning the oboe, joining the Charleston Symphony, and then going into education. After Frank retired from the Berkeley County School District, we were lucky to add him into our group, and we have all been better...

Episode 11 - Alison Harvey, Assistant Concertmaster Our musicians are not only talented performers, but they're also very well-rounded and have many other interests besides music. This week, I'm joined by a dear friend who is passionate about many things outside of music, especially her affinity for dogs and other animals. When she's not teaching or performing, Alison can be seen walking around historic Summerville with one of her dogs and family members. This has been a lifelong passion for...

Episode 10 - Samantha Clark, Principal Viola Ever wondered what it was like teaching at 3 schools during this COVID pandemic? How about 8 schools at the same time? Ever wonder what its like to grow up playing a unique and underrated instrument? Or, whats it like at a major US music conservatory? All these answers and so much more in today's podcast with our principal viola and Kentucky native, Samantha Clark. In today's podcast, Samantha and I discuss teaching, teaching during COVID, ...

Episode 9 - Dean Glace, Principal Trumpet As the title suggests, Dean wears MANY hats in the S.O. One of the founding members of our groups, Dean plays pivotal roles in the orchestra both behind the scenes, and as a playing member. But, his story goes far beyond our S.O.! Dean's story is unique, full of adventure, and of course, travel! He's been to over 70 countries, served in the Navy for over 29 years, and has lived in Summerville since he retired over 20 years ago. Believe me when I tell...