The Mukilteo Community Orchestra (MCO) has announced four concerts for its 17th season, scheduled from November 2024 through May 2025. The theme of the season is “Music in Motion.”
This season the orchestra will be under the direction of a new conductor and an assistant conductor.
Dr. Christopher Vongvithayamathakul will serve as Conductor and Artistic Director. Originally from Lahaina, Maui, Chris is a dynamic conductor, educator, and performer who has shared his joy for music making by directing ensembles of all ages throughout his career. Currently, Chris is a faculty member at Shoreline Community College, where he teaches music theory and directs the Shoreline Concert Band. He completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in instrumental conducting at the University of Washington in 2022.
Assistant Conductor Brayden Swope is a local music educator, conductor, and tuba player who graduated from Central Washington University with degrees in Instrumental Music Education and Tuba performance. He grew up in Everett, Washington and is a long-time member of the Mukilteo community.
Brayden serves as the principal tubist of the Mukilteo Community Orchestra and the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra. Brayden has a deep passion for music and music education, striving to create passionate, memorable, and engaging performances for musicians and audiences.
“I am humbled and honored to be the new Conductor and Artistic Director of the Mukilteo Community Orchestra, and I am so excited to make music with the ensemble this season!” said Chris Vongvithayamathakul, MCO Conductor and Artistic Director. “In our first rehearsals the wonderful musicians in the group have already shown such passion for their art and I have no doubt that this energy and enthusiasm will shine through our performances this year. The repertoire this season includes popular favorites as well as some tunes that are not quite as well-known. I hope the community will enjoy our programs!”
The orchestra’s season opener on November 10 features Ballet Suite No. 4, Mvt. 1 by Dmitri Shostakovich; Scherzo Colombine by Cecile Chaminade and arranged by Philip Clark; Summon the Heroes by John Williams and arranged by Calvin Custer; Samson et Dalila, Op. 47, R.288 / Act III. Bacchanale by Camille Saint-Saens; Bal Masque by Amy Beach; and Huapango by Jose Pablo Moncayo.
On December 15, MCO will again partner with the Snohomish County Music Teachers Association for the SCMTA Concerto Competition Winners Showcase. Each year the orchestra accompanies five talented youth soloists selected by SCMTA for their winning concerto performances.
Two concerts in 2025 will round out the orchestra’s season. The first will be “Tranquil Landscapes” on March 16 and on May 18 the orchestra will close out the season with a Pops concert, “Rise Up.”
“I am thrilled to be serving the Mukilteo Community Orchestra as both the Assistant Conductor and Principal Tubist!” said Brayden Swope, MCO Assistant Conductor. “I look forward to getting to know and to work with the orchestra as well as playing along with them. This is a very unique and exciting opportunity for me, and I am very grateful to have it. We have quite an exciting first season ahead and I can’t wait to get started.”
All concerts are FREE and will be held at 2:00 pm at Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Ave, Mukilteo WA. For more information and to follow the orchestra visit https://mukilteoorchestra.org.
SOURCE: Mukilteo Community Orchestra
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
