LaVerne Epp Tribute
Tonight's concert is dedicated to LaVerne Epp, a benefactor of the Lawrence Community Orchestra. We are grateful for the support from him and his wife, Marilyn.
Edwin LaVerne Epp (July 16, 1950 -September 18, 2023) grew up in Henderson, Nebraska. He attended Henderson Public Schools, Bethel College, and the University of Nebraska Law School. He married Marilyn Crabb, his wife of 50 years.
He enjoyed spending summers in Santa Fe, NM, where he could satisfy his love of classical music by attending the Santa Fe Chamber Orchestra and Santa Fe Opera productions. Being able to savor the mountain climate there with his family each summer was a special joy.
Repertoire
Concerto Grosso Op. 3, No. 6
- Adagio
- Allegro
- Adagio
- Allegro
Francesco Geminiani (1687-1762)
Cello Concerto in B flat Major
- Adagio (non troppo)
Rachel Dirks, Cello
Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805)
Concerto No. 10 in B Minor for 4 Violins
- Allegro
- Largo
- Larghetto
- Adagio
- Allegro
Kenya Patzer, Russell Clark, Avery Parkhurst, & Natalee Thomas - Violin
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
Intermission
I Crisantemi (Crysanthemums)
Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)
Adagio in G Minor for Organ and String Orchestra
Kim Manz, Organ
Tomaso Albinoni (1671-1751)/Remo Giazotto (1910-1998)
Ancient Airs and Dances - Suite III
- I. Italiana
- II. Arie di corte
- III. Siciliana
- IV. Passacaglia
Ottorino Respighi (1879-1936)
Letter from the Board President
Welcome and thank you for joining the Lawrence Community Orchestra as we start the new year with an exploration of the Baroque period and Neo-Baroque for the string orchestra with pieces by Geminiani, Vivaldi, Boccherini, Puccini, and Respighi and led by Dr. Rachel Dirks.
This is a delightful tour of Italy musically and will continue in our reception this evening with a Great Italian bake-off with desserts prepared by our multi-talented musicians.
The final concert of the season will be a visit to the classics with Dr. Matt Smith and guest conductor Creston Heron. We hope you join us May 18th again at Plymouth Congregational Church for Springtime Classics. The concert will be at 7:30 p.m.
Thank you again for always supporting our wonderful local musicians and please join us for a reception tonight to celebrate the LCO. Enjoy tonight’s performance!
Janet Lynn Zuk, Lawrence Community Orchestra Board President
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.
Kim Manz has served as Minister of Music & Fine Arts at Plymouth Congregational Church since 2007. An extremely talented musician and excellent educator, he has been the driving force behind the thriving Music and Arts Ministry at Plymouth. He serves as organist/pianist and conducts or oversees the Chancel Choir, 3 children’s choirs, children’s musical, 3 handbell choirs, Plymouth String Ensemble, Plymouth Brass Ensemble, Dramatic Arts Ministry, Prayer Shawl Ministry, art classes, art show, and culinary arts. Directly out of college he taught band and elementary music in Hillsboro, KS and for eight years, he served as Music Director for Great Plains Theater Festival. Kim holds a degree in Music Education from Fort Hays State University and a Masters in Church Music from The University of Michigan.
LCO Personnel
Violin 1
- Kenya Patzer*
- Avery Parkhurst
- Natalee Thomas
- Nicole Limones
- Mallory Lysaught
- Micah Steele
- Chelsea Troyer
Violin 2
- Russell Clark*
- Mandy Prosser
- Kate Lammers
- Katherine Lenz
- Elaine Engstrom
- Erin Schramm
- Dane Boring
- Jeri Bridwell
Viola
- Ryan Masotto*
- Kaitlyn Rohr
- Laura McTavish
- Heather Wisbey
- Melinda Flohr
Cello
- Martha Barnhill*
- Mariah Barnett
- Brett Lyttle
- Kat Sterbenz
Bass
- Larry Rice*
- Jeff Dearinger
- Kiana Jackson
* = 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
MUSIC DIRECTORS
- Rachel Dirks
- Matthew Smith
OFFICERS
- Janet Lynn Zuk, President
- Lee Anne Thompson, Vice President
- Joan Huber, Treasurer
- Lois Orth-Lopes, Secretary
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Alison Watkins
BOARD
- Curtis Barnhill
- Ric Steele
- Kat Sterbenz
- Janella Williams
- 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 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 and businesses who have contributed in the period January 1 - December 31, 2023 . Thank you!
BENEFACTORS
- Marilyn and LaVerne Epp
- Oliver and Rebecca Finney
- Marilyn Epp
- Dick and Sue Himes
- Steve Lopes and Lois Orth-Lopes
- Trust Company of Kansas
PATRONS
- Allan and Louise Hanson
- Joan Huber
- Diana Ice
- Office Helpline
SUSTAINERS
- Amos Hargrave & Michele Bergman
- Joyce Castle
- Kim Manz
- Kurt Goeser Insurance Agency
- Lee and Tandy Reussner
- Lee Anne Thompson
- The Dentists of Lawrence
SUBSCRIBERS
- David and Mary Kate Ambler
- Robert and Lynn Basow
- Elaine Engstrom
- Kelly and Todd Foos
- Robert and Rebecca Foster
- Vince and Jane Gnojek
- John Holtz
- Carol and David Kyner
- Linda and John Lungstrum
- Robert and Anita Markley
- Renee Patzer
- John and Valerie Roper
- John and Mary Solbach
- Ric and Carol Steele
- Stephens Real Estate
- D. Jerrye and Tim Van Leer
SUPPORTERS
- Lawrence and Lynne Bodle
- Jeff and Beth Dearinger
- Stuart Johnson and Lyne Tumlinson
- Donald and Alice Ann Johnston
- E. Denise Machell
- Mary Matthews
- Lawrence and Linda Maxey
- Jeremy and Misti Osbern
- Edward Rockhold
- Katharine and Richard Schowen
- Njeri L Shomari
- Robert and Celia Smith
- George and Terry Smith
- Blair Tarr
- Barbara L Watkins
- Susan E Weimer
Beat Beethoven 5K
A fundraiser to support the LCO
April 27
9:30 a.m.
Can you complete a 5K before the Lawrence Community Orchestra musicians finish playing a piece by Beethoven? Walkers and runners start and finish at Southwind 12 movie theatre.
Registration opens February 1, at lawrenceorchestra.org.