Gershwin in Newberg

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Gershwin and the Oregon Symphony

By: Gretchen Winkler
Host, User Friendly 2.0

In a very nice small town university auditorium, the audience hushes as the lights dim.  They were just given a wonderful introduction by a cheerful conductor that easily connects with the crowd.  His name is Jeff Tyzik.

The people who have come to Newberg, Oregon to see the Oregon Symphony in the George Fox University auditorium are about to get a treat.  Live music done….really well.  This concert centers around the wonderful music composed by George Gershwin, an American artist born to immigrant parents from Ukraine.  He grew up in New York City along with his three other siblings.  His iconic melodies combine classical music and sophisticated jazz elements creating something unique and inspiring.  

The audience is first introduced to the talent of the orchestra with the Cuban Overture, which brings forth images of old Hollywood movies and people dancing gracefully in gowns and tuxedos.  Then the clarinet.  The clarinet is not used much in popular music, which is too bad.  It has an amazing range of emotions that can be conveyed through it and Gershwin is masterful with clarinet parts.  The soloist on clarinet is Mark Dubac.

Then comes Rhapsody in Blue as the stage set up changes with a big glossy grand piano rolled out and a young man of 21 years of age is presented as the guest pianist.  His name is Ray Ushikubo.  He appears young and small until he starts to play.  His presence and powerful talent fills the room and you become mesmerized by his performance.  I literally wished I could sit right next to him just to watch him play.  As a musician myself, I can truly appreciate the sheer force of his expertise.  No sheet music by the way.  Then when he was done, he surprised us all with his violin skills for an encore.

But the night was not yet over.  It was time for pieces from Porgy and Bess.  The stage was changed again and two sets of chairs and microphones were set up.  A woman in a glittering burgundy outfit and a man dressed in a suit came out and took their places on the stage.  When Kearstin Piper Brown stood up to sing Summertime, her powerful voice filled the auditorium with clarity, range, and beauty.  When she was done singing, I heard the man sitting behind me say awestruck, “Wow.”  And that is the best way to describe her performance.  Then we were treated to Kevin Deas, who sang contagious melodies like It Ain’t Necessarily So thus making his performance like an earworm that keeps singing to you days afterward.

There is nothing like live music.  When the musicians play there is an energy in the air and the group reaction from the audience from what is being presented to them.  Recorded music is great and allows access to music all over the world all the time, but if you have the chance to be present when musicians play and performers sing, it is magical.  It is something to be experienced.  Put it on your bucket list.

Gretchen Winkler has been an on-air personality since 2013.  Winkler is a published author, editor and professional writer and is proud to give her take on culture and technology.   Winkler is the co-host of User Friendly 2.0 here on The Answer Saturdays at 2:00 p.m (Seattle) and 5:00 p.m. (Portland).

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