CGOA Podcast

We chat with Taylor and Tanis Gonzaga, co-founders of Opera Cecilia, about their upcoming performance with the Gorge Sinfonietta on April 1 and 2, 2023.

This month we talk to Los Angeles-based composer Cody Matthew Johnson, best known for his music for video games such as Resident Evil and Devil May Cry. On February 17/19 the Gorge Sinfonietta will premiere his new work, VANITAS, for speakers and orchestra, with text by Andrew Smithers and arranged for the orchestra by conductor Mark Steighner. Also on the program is music by John Mackey and Grammy-nominated composer Austin Wintory. Tickets at gorgeorchestra.org

Join conductor Mark Steighner and special guest Mitchell Jett Spencer, as they discuss the upcoming performance of Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto on November 18 and 20. Tickets and information at gorgeorchestra.org

This month the directors of CGOA's production of RENT join Mark for a conversation about the award-winning show. Guests are Joe Garoutte (director) and Dan Kenealy (music director). RENT opens on May 6 in the Bingen Theater. Tickets are available at gorgeorchestra.org

We're speaking with Edie Polson, who is guest conducting the Gorge Sinfonietta in Haydn's Surprise Symphony. Edie won the chance to direct at last year's fund-raising auction. Also on the March 18/20 program is pianist Tom Grant, making his orchestra debut, and the Schubert Unfinished Symphony. The concerts are in the Gorge Room at the Best Western Hood River Inn. Tickets at gorgeorchestra.org

In preparation for our November Sinfonietta premiere of A SASQUATCH PORTRAIT, Mark talks to Discovery Channel's Finding Bigfoot co-star Cliff Barackman--not just about Sasquatch, but music, too! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @gorgeorchestra. Tickets and concert information at gorgeorchestra.org. Check out Cliff's museum in Boring, OR, the North American Bigfoot Center at northamericanbigfootcenter.com 

Have YOU had an encounter with Sasquatch? Tell us about it! https://anchor.fm/cgoa/message

Aaron Meyer talks to Mark about his upcoming concert with the Gorge Sinfonietta on July 17, 2021. Information at gorgeorchestra.org

Michele chats with Corin Parker, director of CGOA Stages' new streaming production of THE FANTASTICKS.

Pianist Tom Grant has been a Portland jazz piano staple for decades, and CGOA is thrilled that he sat down to talk to us about his career and music making during the pandemic. Tom is appearing during our first-ever online auction, "The Show Must Go On," April 8-11. You can get a preview of our dozens of items up for bid at charityauction.bid/cgoa. 

Music this month: Angel's Crossing by Tom Grant.

We're changing up the format, faithful listeners. Look for podcasts whenever we have a special guest or event coming up. This time, Mark sits down with Aaron Eckert, formerly of the CGOA Jazz Collective, now with the US Army Blues Jazz Band. Aaron is an amazing musician and his arrangement of "There is No Greater Love" will be performed by the Collective as part of CGOA's upcoming online auction April 8-11. 

Cohosts Elaine and Michele catch us up on CGOA News, and Mark talks at length with long-time CGOA fan, supporter, sometime performer and donor Dr Tina Castanares, who has just commissioned a new choral and orchestra work based on Joy Harjo's poem, Remember. 

We mix things up for December! Michele welcomes CGOA president elect Elaine Thompson as this month's co-host. Mark interviews some of the stars of the Stay-at-Home Holiday Musical Spectacular, now showing on YouTube (tickets at gorgeorchestra.org), including Larry Wyatt (from the Hapa Hillbillies), Loop Ninja Tony Smiley and singer Bre Gregg. 

On this episode we meet and chat with Kirsten Norvell, longtime concertmistress of the Sinfonietta. Plus, the Stay at Home Holiday Spectacular. Gorgeorchestra.org

On this episode we welcome a singer/songwriter, a recording artist with 17 albums to her credit, a passionate activist and superstar in Korea!, Tish Hinojosa. Tish will be appearing soon with the Sinfonietta in a new virtual performance. Plus, all about CGOA's grants with Kathryn McElwee and bad music jokes. 

Season Two kicks off with an interview with the legendary singer/songwriter Sam Baker, who has just collaborated with CGOA on a new virtual performance. Plus, Michele's vacation, Mark's suspiciously tall tale of bird rehab, and info about the CGOAcademy. With Mark Steighner and Michele Firsching. gorgeorchestra.org or join our Patreon at patreon.com/cgoa

Remember when you got your high school yearbook signed by all your friends? That's kind of what this episode is. Mark and Michele recap the season and lots of folks send audio and text messages. It's just like your yearbook, minus the boring parts and kids you didn't like.

gorgeorchestra.org

This month, we've got interviews with three musical superstars: famed Maestro Salvatore Da Winci, soprano Giselle Swanhilde, and American composer Holden Kaulfield. 

This month we have an extended round table interview with the cast of WEST SIDE STORY! Plus news, and Michele tries to explain just what a production coordinator does. Be sure to stick around for the ending, and the premiere of Michele's new dance floor hit.

Tickets and information at gorgeorchestra.org

This month's episode is short and sweet as we prepare for a very busy February and March. Michele chats with choreographer and dance teacher Susan Sorensen about West Side Story and we have our first Top Ten list. Plus news, the contest, Chill Chamber Music and "Mark's Classroom." Send ideas for future episodes to: info@gorgeorchestra.org. 

It's our biggest show ever, including a very special interview with Sam Baker about his upcoming appearance with the Sinfonietta, plus we talk to Voci member and early music devotee Brian Litt about our newest ensemble, Canticum. We talk holiday music, and some new trends in symphony concert etiquette. Weigh in at info@gorgeorchestra.org and you might win our limited edition CGOA t-shirt. Tickets and more at gorgeorchestra.org. Listen to Sam Baker with Terry Gross on NPR's Fresh Air here (https://www.npr.org/2014/05/06/310089151/sam-baker-finding-grace-in-the-wake-of-destruction)

We've got a very full month of performances, including MURDER BALLAD opening October 3, a special celebration at the Hood River County History Museum on October 9, and the WORLD TOUR concerts with Sinfonietta. Special guests on this episode are Jim Garrett (Principal viola) and Erica Roulier, who has helped create our new exhibit at the museum. Oh, and a NEW CONTEST! Tickets and info at gorgeorchestra.org.

Welcome! This month we focus on the Last Chance Dance (September 28) with an interview with Jazz Collective drummer Mike Grodner. Plus a little information about Stages' MURDER BALLAD and Emily Vawter talks about becoming a CGOA volunteer. Ticket and season info at gorgeorchestra.org