CGOA Podcast

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

It's our biggest episode of all time. Interviews with Gorge musical legend Alonzo Garbanzo (Dennis Castanares), Mamma Mia star and Open Mic Diva Lesley Saunders, plus current and upcoming CGOA Presidents Ed Price and Hugh Amick talk about post-pandemic plans for CGOA. Plus, ALL the songs on this episode are new and include Carried Away, How Does, Road Song, and The Plague Years, all with Lyrics by M. Steighner and Music by Dennis Castanares (and performed by Dennis), plus Self-Inflicted Wound and Around Again, with music and lyrics by M Steighner, performed by Michele Firsching.  Check out Alonzo Garbanzo's 500+ videos on YouTube!  Check out Lesley's All Love Open Mic on Facebook.

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

Buckle up! February and March are jam-packed with performances you don't want to miss. This month we have the WORLD PREMIERE of a new radio dramedy about the composers Brahms and Bruckner (starring Tom Burns and Richard Withers), plus an interview with saxophone virtuoso Erik Steighner, who will be returning to the Gorge to play with the Sinfonietta on February 28/March 1. Plus West Side Story 10 Ten Trivia and a CONTEST. Comments? Write us at [email protected]