(This article is a press release from the Southern Ozarks Community Orchestra.)
Willow Springs, MO. – The Southern Ozarks Community Orchestra will present “May the Fourth be with You” for their first concert of the 2025 season on Sunday, May 4th at 3:00 pm in the Historic Star Theater in Willow Springs. MO. Tickets are available at the door for $10 each and children under 5 will be admitted free. In keeping with our concert theme, we will present a medley of the classic John Williams composition, “The Empire
Strikes Back”, on to The Planets ~ “Jupiter, Bringer of Jollity”, then we will be “Defying Gravity” through Stephen Schwartz and his “Highlights from Wicked”.
We transition to Earth and a jump to well known classic pieces from around our world. Be transported to the Italian Adriatic coast with Gioacchino Rossini’s, “The Barber of Seville”, Germany with Johannes Brahms, “Hungarian Dances No. 5”, and Finland with the classic spiritual hymn of peace, “Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius., “Nights in White Satin” by Justin Hayward and The Moody Blues somehow snuck in, making us all very happy and featuring that beautiful flute solo with acoustic guitar! Speaking of flutes, we will introduce our newly formed (and wonderful!) flute choir, playing a variety of pieces that will just melt your hearts.
This group was organized by our Director, Jodie Forbes, also a flutist participating. Another tasty treat is “Singin’ in the Rain” from Nacio Herb Brown’s musical, complete with a tap dance rendition by Mrs. Hannah Stapley who teaches dance for the Stars Foundation. It’s time for Springtime fun! We have so many gifted musicians from the surrounding cities, including several current and former music teachers from Ava, Cabool, Houston, Mountain Grove, Mountain View, Thayer & West Plains, bringing their energy and musicianship to our group and making it a joy to share with you!
Jodie Forbes, our musical director and conductor since 2017, has lived in this area for over 40 years. She has been a music teacher in Cabool, Houston, and Willow Springs, and is currently giving private lessons for the Stars Foundation and playing in several musical groups during her spare time. Jodie graduated with honors and a Bachelor of Music in education from the Dana School of Music, a part of Youngstown State University in Ohio. We encourage all to come out and warm your souls & raise your spirits with our beautiful music
The Southern Ozarks Community Orchestra is sponsored by the Willow Springs Arts Council and has served the area since 2009. For more information on SOCO and the Arts Council, visit the Arts Council website at www.willowspringsartscouncil.org and Southern Ozarks Community Orchestra on Facebook.
Our orchestra & small ensembles are available for performance.
Anyone that is interested in joining our group, please reach out to Brandy Taylor at 417-259-7634 or Jodie Forbes at 417-217-0542. We are currently looking for more string players (violins, violas, & cello).
