Repertoire
Asturias
Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909)/arr. Stephen Chin
Suite for Strings
- A-Roving
- I have a bonnet trimmed with blue
- O waly, waly
- Dashing away
John Rutter (1945-)
Strum
Jessie Montgomery (1981-)
Adoration
Florence B. Price (1887-1953)/arr. Steve Olson
Novelletten No. 4
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912)
Libertango
Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992)/arr. David Gordon
Letter from the Board President
Welcome and thank you for joining the Lawrence Community Orchestra for a special performanc featuring the string orchestra. Tonight we will experience the music of Isaac Albeniz, John Rutter, Florence Price, Edvard Grieg, and Astor Piazzolla. Thank you to our concert sponsor, The Trust Company of Kansas.
We hope you enjoy the concert. Please join us afterward to enjoy a decadent dessert.
2025 is going to be an exciting year for the orchestra as we branch out from the traditional concert and bring music more directly to the community. If you aren't already following us on social media or our website, please do so. We would love for you to join us at our April 5 concert with the Lawrence Civic Choir, our second annual Beat Beethoven 5K on April 26, and to see where our string quartet will be playing next.
As always, we are grateful for your continued support of our wonderful musicians. We are so honored to have you here with us. Enjoy the evening and thank you.
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.
LCO Personnel
Violin 1
- **Kenya Patzer
- Elena Kolbrek
- Avery Parkhurst
- Natalee Thomas
- Mallory Lysaught
- Micah Hull
- Benjamin Matthews
Violin 2
- *Bridget O'Neill
- Nicole Limones
- Kate Lammers
- Chelsea Troyer
- Katherine Lenz
- Emma McGinnis
Viola
- *Laura McTavish
- Nick Ericks
- Kaitlyn Rohr
- Heather Wisbey
- Melinda Flohr
Cello
- *Michele Bergman
- Martha Barnhill
- Brett Lytle
- Syneva Colle
- Daniel Yung
Bass
- *Larry Rice
- Jeff Dearinger
- Kiana Jackson
** = 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
OFFICERS
- Janet Lynn Zuk, President
- Ric Steele, Vice President
- Lee Anne Thompson, Treasurer
- Lois Orth-Lopes, Secretary
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
- Alison Watkins
BOARD
- Joan Huber
- Brett Lytle
- 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 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 - December 31, 2024 . Thank you!
BENEFACTORS
- John and Christina Varberg
- Oliver and Rebecca Finney
- Marilyn Epp
- Dick and Sue Himes
PATRONS
- Steve Lopes and Lois Orth-Lopes
- Diana Ice
SUSTAINERS
- Amos Hargrave and Michele Berman
- Allan and Louise Hansen
- Kim Manz
- Lee Anne Thompson
SUBSCRIBERS
- David and Mary Kate Ambler
- Vince and Jane Gnojek
- Katharine and Richard Schowen
- Linda and John Lungstrum
- Ric and Carol Steele
SUPPORTERS
- Curtis Anderson
- Robert and Anita Markley
- Barbara L Watkins
Thank you to Robert and Lynn Basow, Marci Francisco and Joe Bickford, Donald Watkins, and Janice Nicklaus for supporting our Giving for Good campaign.
Credits:
Created with images by Fotomay - "Romantic night with candlelight and bokeh background" • phive2015 - "Candles with hanging lights background" • DRasa - "Candles Burning at Night. White Candles Burning in the Dark with focus on single candle in foreground. " • Evgenia Smirnova - "Lantern" • josje - "Burning Candles" • Fotomay - "Romantic night with candlelight and bokeh background" • Ivan Kmit - "candles"