The joy of music | Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra grows with new conductor

Published 11:43 am Thursday, September 12, 2013

The Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra is one of Issaquah’s best kept secrets.

It was formed in July 2012, evolving from the Issaquah Chamber Orchestra.

“We started playing more complex pieces, so we changed the name,” said June Allison, vice-president of the newly formed nonprofit, and also second violin.

The group also has a new conductor, Chase Chang, taking over from Duane Bowen, a retired college music professor who decided it was time to pass the baton. Chang served as an interim conductor before taking over in June.

Originally from Puyallup, Chang and his family live in Renton, but he is in his first year as the orchestra teacher at Bellevue High School, after teaching at Tyee Middle School. Chang also teaches at a few of Bellevue’s elementary schools.

He found out about the opening with the Issaquah Philharmonic on Henry Bischofberger’s Facebook page.

Bischofberger is a third generation violinmaker who Chang said is very supportive of the arts.

Chang makes the time for this new challenge because he loves to teach.

“This is one area I can teach more of the classics from the great composers,” he said.

Chang plays violin and oboe — obviously not while conducting. He started playing piano in the third grade, but switched to violin in the fourth grade. His mother still sings in a church choir in Renton. His wife, Christi Chang, also is a violinist and an orchestra teacher in Bellevue. The couple’s 2-year-old, Ellie, already has shown an interest in music.

“When we go to concerts, she’ll start conducting, and she’s very good at hand clapping,” Chang said.

Although the orchestra focuses on the Romantic period, it also plays selections from the Classical and Baroque periods.

The all-volunteer group – members come from Sammamish, Issaquah, Monroe, Carnation, Everett, Preston and many more communities – plays for the love of the music.

Terri Gustafson, a board member and flutist, said that’s because there are not many organized community orchestras in the area. The age range for the orchestra’s players is from advanced middle school students to a few players in their 80s. They rehearse for two hours once a week.

Concertmaster Darlene Rose was practicing the “Barber of Seville” while waiting for others to arrive. Rose has played violin for 43 years — most of her life.

“Playing is my connection to the world,” she said.

She said she remembers watching Bugs Bunny and Yosemite Sam cartoons as a child, and the music in the background was always classical, including the “Barber of Seville.” She also is an orchestra teacher, at Renton High School and Dimmitt Middle School in the Renton district.

The Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra’s first performance this season — and the first with Chang officially conducting — is Nov. 25 at Faith United Methodist Church in Sammamish. Admission is free.

The orchestra will play selections from the “Nutcracker” and other recognizable selections.

The group is searching for other venues to play that have good acoustics. The group also needs more percussionists and hope someone will donate some timpani.

“It’s a privilege and pleasure to be with this ensemble,” Chang said. “The people are friendly and this is an orchestra that’s growing fast. I think it’s a group that will be set apart from others because of the education and fellowship.”

The Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra is on Facebook, and is working on a web page.

Former conductor Duane Bowen passes the baton to Chase Chang.

Concertmaster Darlene Rose has been playing violin for 43 years. She also plays with the Everett Philharmonic.