PRO ARTE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF GREATER WASHINGTON
Metropolitan Washington DC's Premier Ensemble
PRO ARTE CHAMBER ORCHESTRA OF GREATER WASHINGTON
Metropolitan Washington DC's Premier Ensemble
VACANCIES
Please prepare a short solo work of your choosing (or etude, movement of a concerto or sonata -- sans accompaniment) no more than 2-5 minutes in length, plus the following excerpts:
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 3
2nd Mvt. – Measure 117 through measure 145
Felix Mendelssohn
Midsummer Night’s Dream
Scherzo – Beginning thru seven measures after D
W. A. Mozart
Symphony No. 39
2nd Mvt. – Beginning to measure 27
Please prepare a short solo work of your choosing (or etude, movement of a concerto or sonata -- sans accompaniment) no more than 2-5 minutes in length, plus the following excerpts:
W. A. Mozart
Symphony No. 35, Haffner
1st Mvt., Beginning - Measure 66
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 5
Measures 1-10; 23-37; 49-60; and 98-106.
Gioacchino Rossini
La Gazza Ladra Overture
Please prepare a short solo work of your choosing (or etude, movement of a concerto or sonata -- sans accompaniment) no more than 2-5 minutes in length, plus the following excerpts:
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 8
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No. 2
W. A. Mozart
Symphony No. 40
How did you come to study your instrument?
When I was five years old, I started Suzuki Violin lessons in Iowa City, Iowa with a famous teacher, Doris Preucil. When I moved to the DC area at age 10, I began studying with a National Symphony Orchestra violinist, Sam Levy. To this day, I never stop studying how to become a better violinist.
What drew you to this instrument?
In college, I was a political science major. My junior year, I went to France to study and met a violin teacher that encouraged me to change my major to become a violinist and teacher. I decided that meant my violin needed to be of a certain professional caliber. My uncle had a violin from 1767 from Mittenwald Germany and he said that he would give it to me. I still play that today.
Do you play any other instruments?
I pursued 2 Masters Degrees in Music Education and Violin Performance. I decided to become a public school strings teacher and it was required to learn how to play all four string instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass. My primary instrument is violin but I love to play viola, cello and bass when I am teaching at school.
What’s the number one piece on your bucket list to play?
I always say it is the piece that I am working on at the present time. If I have a concert coming up, those are my favorite pieces to play! For example, I love the Bartok Roumanian Folk Dances on the February program. There is a violin/piano version that I have played in the past but I have never played the version on this concert for string orchestra. As a musician, we spend hours practicing a piece over and over again. After a certain point, that music becomes a part of you and that is why it is hard for me to choose only one piece.
What music do you enjoy when you’re not rehearsing?
I love all kinds of music! I love to cook to jazz. I love to dance to disco. I love to drive to everything from classical, pop, rap, and country. I love YOUTUBE so that I can listen to all the pieces that I am going to be performing and can analyze the different interpretations. I love to play my Baroque violin that is tuned lower, with gut strings and played with a swan-tip bow. I love Klezmer and world music. I would say that a great musician always draws me in regardless of the type of music.
Is there a PACO performance from this year that stands out to you? Why?
Exactly 2 years ago in February 2020 right before covid, we played a beautiful concert of French music.(Debussy,Faure.Roussel, Saint-Saens) Since I studied in France, I really have a certain passion for French music. It was the last time that I played with PACO. It was a terrific performance and I would have never known that a pandemic would stop the world from having public concerts. It has effected all of us musicians in different ways. For me, I missed playing live music and seeing my musical colleagues. I missed the audience. That concert will always stand out in my mind because of the music but what it symbolized.
Who is someone who has been instrumental (ha-ha) and influential in your music career?
I always say my mother. She played the violin. She told me that I needed to be a well-rounded person and playing an instrument was part of having a good education. All of my sisters played an instrument. She felt that music should be a part of your daily life but it did not have to be a profession. I pass that down to my own three children and to all my students.
Favorite food?
I love chocolate and can be bribed with it.
Of any historical musical figure, who would you go back and meet?
I was born on Beethoven’s birthday. I wish that I could be in his orchestra and play all 9 symphonies under his baton. I would love to ask him about his hearing loss and what it was like to be deaf as a musician.
Why do you like performing with PACO?
PACO is an orchestra of excellent musicians and an outstanding conductor. I want to be part of an ensemble with high standards. In addition, there is a magic or spirituality that one cannot ignore when you are playing music. When I play my violin, I am in another world and hopefully the audience is too.
Board of Directors
President & Managing Artistic Director
William Craig Marlowe
Vice President & Executive Director
Alisha D. Coleman
Secretary and Personnel Manager
Dr. Nora Hamme
Treasurer
VACANT
Directors
Ashley Bowen-Sanchez, Outreach & Development
Jane Hughes, Outreach & Development
Dr. Lois McMahon, Outreach & Development
Dr. Dimitar Nikolov, Conductor & Music Director
About
Our Mission
The mission of the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Greater Washington (PACO) is to create intimate, inspirational musical experiences through vibrant music making by the orchestra and chamber ensembles.
Our Vision
To be the premiere chamber orchestra of the Washington, DC area for traditional classical favorites and new works by underrepresented composers.
Goals
Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Greater Washington
EIN: 47-1663450
Please donate.
The Pro Artè Chamber Orchestra of Greater Washington is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt not-for-profit organization. Your donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
FRIENDS OF PACO
The main artistic drive behind the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Greater Washington (PACO) is the desire to revitalize the classical music scene from within, by re-imagining & redefining the content and delivery of classical concerts. This means approaching each program or individual work with a fresh mind, searching for ways to make the music more engaging, more inspiring, more profound. Our biggest aim is to fill our audience with the passion we feel about our music and create truly memorable performances.
Your generous gift will help the Pro Artè Chamber Orchestra of Greater Washington make music relevant to new generations of audiences through virtuosic performances that combine a diversity of genres with fresh interpretations of classic works.
If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities (chair endowments, concert/full season dedications, underwriting soloist fees, etc.), please contact our Executive Director, Alisha Coleman at (703) 745-PACO or via e-mail at info@PACOdc.org with your inquiry, questions, or comments about Friends of PACO donor benefits.
Pro Artè Chamber Orchestra of Greater Washington
612 West Maple Avenue
Sterling, VA 20164
Thank you for your support!
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PACO is available for hire and/or collaboration. Our experienced musicians and management team are pleased to cater to the needs of almost any project. Whether you wish to hire an orchestra for a function or event or to accompany your solo project or record your composition. Whatever the event or project, PACO can tailor the orchestra or other associated chamber groups to your musical requirements with excellent quality of performance and management. To discuss your project in more detail and to get a quote, contact Alisha Coleman, Executive Director, at (703) 745-PACO or via e-mail at info@PACOdc.org, or by clicking the email button below.
Contact Us!
Don't be afraid to reach out. You + us = awesome.
Concert Venue
UNITED CHRISTIAN PARISH OF RESTON
11508 N. Shore Drive, Reston, VA 22190
Returning to the Stage Responsibly
PACO is taking part in the collective effort to control the spread of COVID-19. We are committed to helping the local area and beyond continue to flourish and it’s important that we support community efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by implementing certain procedures: Patrons are required to wear face coverings at all times and in all areas of UCP Reston, including while seated during the performance regardless of age. Face coverings should be worn properly, covering the nose and mouth, and meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) standards. Neck gaiters and bandanas are not permitted. It is our hope that wearing masks will help to slow the spread of breakthrough cases, particularly of the OMICRON variant.
Regardless of vaccination status, please stay home and monitor your health if you have any of the symptoms of COVID-19:
Cough
Fever or chills
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Please visit this webpage for any updates before you attend your next concert. You can also contact us at
(703) 745-PACO or via e-mail at info@PACOdc.org if you have any questions.
Thank you for your continued support of PACO.
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