Blog: Symphony Tacoma “A Grand Finale”
Saturday night’s performance was a concert like no other! It will remain unforgettable. Not only because of the program, another collection of firsts for the group, Elgar In the South, Peaslee Arrow’s of Time, the world premiere of Elsie Winklers’ Metamorphosis, and William Grant Still’s Symphony No.1 Afro-American, but for the warmth and love that I felt between us.
It has been bittersweet to say goodbye; especially to this orchestra, which I have loved conducting for the past twelve years. It was especially meaningful to invite my husband, Scott Hartman, to perform Peaslee’s Arrows of Time; a mark of cleverness, beauty and rhythmic wit, a bit like Scott, who was a hit!
It was wonderful to have the Symphony Tacoma Voices join us for the encore; Bernstein’s Make Our Garden Grow. The significance of that moment was especially powerful: we have been planting seeds, and I hope our partnership will continue to bear fruit for many years to come. And to end with the surprise: Radetsky March conducted by my dear friend, Director of Symphony Tacoma Voices, Dr. Geoffrey Boers.
It was also incredibly moving to present the world premiere of Metamorphosis written by talented Tacoma composer Elise Winkler. As we are going through a “metamorphosis” ourselves, the piece felt especially timely. Elise has a deeply poignant voice and an important story to tell, and many audience members remarked on how compelling and moving they found her music.
My heart goes out to this orchestra, Symphony Tacoma for whom I am so thankful! They played spectacularly, especially in William Grant Still’s Symphony No. 1, Afro-American. It felt like true synergy, and we locked in with direction, musical prowess, and passion.
Before the performance of the Still one of our board members, Christina Abby, who shared with the audience the poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872–1906), which inspired William Grant Still.
I was so very moved by the poem Christina Abby wrote in my honor:
Sarah, you’ve been
A visionary light
That has shone ever so bright
Illuminating our spaces
With pure, unadulterated delight
Gracing us with presence
Unshakable and unwavering love
Transcending angelic heights
Known to and only by above
Musically mirroring
A mission-bound legacy
Of building access and bridges
To, in and for community
A gift was presented! Our former board chairs Dick Ammerman & Clark D’Elia presented me with a beautiful, engraved baton case inscribed, “For twelve years of visionary leadership, artistry, and inspiration. With deepest thanks, your Symphony Tacoma.”
Thank you, Tacoma, for all the support over the years, including the many wonderful friends, board members, patrons, Symphony Tacoma staff, assistant conductors, collaborators, voices, and musicians. It has truly been an honor! Until we meet again…Good-Luck!