Repertoire
Curtain Up!
Arr. Bob Krogstad
The Sound of Music Medley
Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein, Arr. Robert Russell Bennett
The Empire Strikes Back Medley
John Williams, Arr. John C. Whitney
- Featuring dance activities for kids and moms choreographed by the Lawrence Arts Center "Wigglers."
Mamma Mia! Medley
Stig Anderson, Benny Andersson, & Bjorn Ulvaeus, Arr. Gary Fry
- Featuring artistic movement for kids and moms
Home on the Range
Dan Kelly, Arr. James Barnes
West Side Story Selections
Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, Arr. Jack Mason
Moon River
Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer, Arr. Blake Neely
Seventy-Six Trombones
Meredith Wilson, Arr. Leroy Anderson
Letter from the Board President
Dear Friends, On behalf of the Lawrence Community Orchestra Board of Directors, I’m delighted to welcome you to our celebration of Music for MOMs: Movies, Operas, and Musicals, oh my! I am happy to extend a special welcome to the moms in our audience today. We’re honored to celebrate Mother’s Day with you.
Today’s program is filled with music that many of us grew up with, music that has accompanied family road trips, livingroom singalongs, movie nights, and moments both ordinary and unforgettable.
From the exuberance of 76 Trombones to the warmth of a Mamma Mia! medley, from the lyric beauty of Moon River to the cinematic sweep of The Empire Strikes Back, this afternoon’s music honors the stories, traditions, and love that moms help create and sustain. Selections from West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Curtain Up, and Home on the Range remind us how deeply music is woven into memory—and how often it is mothers who pass that music along.!
This concert also reflects a defining theme of our year: creating orchestral experiences that bring our community closer together. Through imaginative programming and free, welcoming performances like today’s concert, the Lawrence Community Orchestra continues to connect neighbors, families, and generations through the shared language of music.
We are deeply grateful to our donors, whose generosity makes these community centered concerts possible. We are especially thankful for the Douglas County Community Foundation, the City of Lawrence, and The Trust Company of Kansas, whose support allowed us to bring today’s celebration to you at no charge. We also thank the many volunteers, partners, musicians, and audience members who sustain the LCO and make orchestral music a vital part of life in Lawrence.
If today’s concert moves you, we invite you to consider supporting the Lawrence Community Orchestra. Gifts of any size help keep our concerts accessible and our programming bold. Donations can be made at https://lawrenceorchestra.org/donate, and you can help spread the word by following and sharing our events on social media. Thank you again for celebrating Mother’s Day with us! And thank each of you for being part of a community brought closer together through music. Warmly, Ric Steele President, Board of Directors Lawrence Community Orchestra
Special Thanks
The Lawrence Community Orchestra appreciates Martin Bergee and the Lawrence City Band for their sharing of equipment as well as Mike Jones of Lawrence High School for the use of his space and equipment for the season. Thank you for your support.
Local Makers of Theatre and Dance for the Very Young (aka The Wiggle Team)
Leah Towle, Gwentessa Alfie, Joy Towle, Carmen Orth-Alfie, Megan Towle, & Jaclyn Dudek Leah Towle is a teaching artist focused on activating student’s artistry, encouraging exploration and choice making, and integrating science and theater. She specializes in making Theatre and Dance for the Very Young in a collaborative process with young children and their caregivers. She recently directed My Name is Loofa Tutu and Where Wesley Walks at the Lawrence Arts Center. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education from Bethel College and taught preschool music, art, and theatre for 5 years. She is currently studying Occupational Therapy at the graduate level.
Dr. Rachel Dirks is an active conductor, clinician, researcher, and educator. In addition to her work with the Lawrence Community Orchestra, she serves as Director of Orchestral Studies at Kansas State University where she conducts the Symphony Orchestra, teaches graduate and undergraduate string education and conducting courses, and holds an active applied cello studio. Dr. Dirks has been invited to collaborate with orchestras and honor ensembles throughout the United States, most recently in New York, Hawaii, Nevada, and Georgia. As a featured clinician and educator, she has been invited to present her research at numerous music education conferences throughout the U.S. and Europe.
A Kansas native, Dr. Dirks holds cello performance degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and Bethel College, and a Ph.D. in music education, with an emphasis in orchestral conducting, from the University of Kansas. Her current research in music, student, and teacher mental wellbeing has led her to her current position as chair of the national committee on health and wellness for the American String Teachers Association. Throughout her experiences as a conductor and educator, her fundamental goal is to encourage musicians to seek and create connection and community through music.
LCO Personnel
Master of Ceremonies--Paul Laird
Violin 1
- **Kenya Patzer
- Elena Kolbrek De León
- Nicole Limones
- Bridget O'Neill
- Mallory Lysaught
- Micah Hull
Violin 2
- *Russell Clark
- Nick Erickson
- Emma McGinnis
- Chelsea Troyer
- Katherine Lenz
- Faith Nichols
Viola
- *Laura McTavish
- Blair Williams
- Whitney Maxwell
- Heather Wisbey
- Kaitlyn Rohr
- Melinda Flohr
Cello
- *Brett Lytle
- Kat Sternbenz
- Mariah Barnett
- Martha Barnhill
- Audrey Herren
- Mary Linn
- Nicholas Dvorske
Bass
- Kiana Jackson
- Jeff Dearinger
- Annah Steele
Oboe
- Emily Foltz
- Luis De León
Flute
- Annie Davidson
- Andy Fukasawa
Piccolo
- Joy Laird
Clarinet
- Richard Galbreath
- Gabriella Phillips
Bass Clarinet
- Madeleine Echternacht
Bassoon
- Mariah Stadel
- Rachel Hood
French Horn
- Ethan Rogers
- Jana Hitchcock
- Katie Brook
- Bob Dinsdale
Trumpet
- Tyler McTavish
- Jared Coté
- Roy Rivera
Trombone
- Neal Purvis
- Michael Serra
Bass Trombone
- PJ Kelley
Tuba
- Jossie Jones
Percussion
- Collin Watgen
- John Eldridge (Timpani)
- Patrick McCarty
- Guthrie Bricker
** = Concertmaster * = Section principal
About the LCO
Our Mission
The Lawrence Community Orchestra provides a dynamic experience where people of diverse backgrounds celebrate and appreciate orchestral music together, encouraging pride in their community.
Our Vision
The Lawrence Community Orchestra will be a catalyst in elevating the artistic and cultural scene in Lawrence.
The LCO Board
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR
- Rachel Dirks
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Alison Watkins
OFFICERS
- Ric Steele, President
- Janet Lynn Zuk, Treasurer
- Lois Orth-Lopes, Secretary
BOARD
- Bob Dinsdale
- Joan Huber
- Brett Lytle
- Bridget O'Neill
- Joe Piontek
- Lee Anne Thompson
- Heather Wisbey
Where We've Been; Where We Are Going
The Lawrence Community Orchestra was born when Dr. Vernon Branson built a harpsichord for his wife Jessie after they were inspired by a chamber music concert at London’s St. Martin-in-the-Fields in 1970. Jessie invited a few string and wind musicians to play in her home. That group became the Lawrence Chamber Players, giving their first concert on April 30, 1972. Since then, the orchestra, which took the name Lawrence Chamber Orchestra in 1998, has performed under the direction of Charles Hoag, George Boberg, Daniel Politoske, Juan LaManna, Eric Williams, Steven McDonald, and several others.
Until its dissolution in 2011 the Kansas Arts Commission was a regular supporter of the orchestra. With the loss of those funds it became clear that the orchestra, as then constituted, was no longer sustainable. In 2013 the board decided to reorganize. Our Mother’s Day concert in May 2014, introduced the reorganized orchestra featuring new music directors, many new musicians who hail from Lawrence, a larger ensemble, a broader repertoire, and plans for more frequent concerts. These changes remain in evidence in today’s concert. Throughout the orchestra’s fifty-year history, however, what has not changed is the continuing commitment to the goals of those who gathered in Jessie Branson’s living room more than 50 years ago: to provide fine music for the enjoyment both of those who perform it and those who come to hear it.
LCO Contact Information
info@lawrenceorchestra.org
Support the LCO
Contributors
The Lawrence Community Orchestra is grateful to these individuals who contributed in the period July 1, 2024- March 31, 2026 . Thank you!
BENEFACTORS
- Katherine and Bob Dinsdale
- Marilyn Epp
- Oliver and Rebecca Finney
- Dick and Sue Himes
- Lois Orth-Lopes and Steve Lopes
- Lawrence Rice
- John and Christina Varberg
PATRON
- Jeff Dearinger
- Joan Huber
- Diana Ice
- Doni Slough
SUSTAINERS
- Amos Hargrave
- Allan and Louise Hansen
- Kim Manz
- Lee Anne Thompson
SUBSCRIBERS
- David and Mary Kate Ambler
- Bob and Lynn Basow
- Ronald and Nancylee Burt
- Robert and Rebecca Foster
- Vince and Jane Gnojek
- John and Linda Lungstrum
- Tracey Kastens
- Kim Manz
- Renee Patzer
- Lee Reussner
- Katharine and Richard Schowen
- John and Patricia Solbach
- Richard Sosinski
- Maley Wilkins
SUPPORTERS
- Curtis Anderson
- Jane Bireta
- Catherine Campbell
- Harry Hurst Coffman
- Vincent and Jane Gnojek
- Donald Johnston
- Robert and Anita Markley
- Lawrence Maxey
- Edward Rockhold
- Ivan and Terry Smith
- Barbara L Watkins
Credits:
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