Michael Klazek Conducts the Sooke Philharmonic Fling!
Michael Klazek will be stepping back onto the podium in Ed Macgregor Park Sunday, August 29 to conduct another delightful program of popular classics. This will be Mike’s seventh Fling! presentation. As staff conductor, he takes charge of recruiting musicians, selecting and finding music, and, with the help of Sooke Phil volunteers, the many details of rehearsing and staging the show.
Mike has a lifetime of conducting experience. In his years as a music teacher in Calgary and Victoria schools, he has conducted band, choir, orchestra and musical theatre and has taught music at every level. He studied conducting at the University of Alberta, but much of his understanding of the art comes from his own years of orchestra playing. Orchestra founder Norman Nelson was also very interested in music education, and the two worked together on various school music programs. Like Norman, Mike feels that the benefits of music, for adults as well as children, extend far beyond making beautiful sounds. “Music is about community building and connection,” he says. “It has that in common with sports, but music is collaborative, whereas sports are more competitive. A community orchestra in particular can create strong bonds.”
As a founding member, Mike has been part of the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra for 25 years, from the first rehearsals in a Sooke church basement to the many activities and events of today. He remembers the first Fling on the Flats, part of the All Sooke Day show in 2002, complete with chainsaws battling it out to the galloping finale of the William Tell Overture (Norman had a keen sense of humour). “The Sooke Philharmonic happened because of Norman and Jenny,” Mike says. “He attracted professional-level musicians as well as avid community members who love to play. And Sooke is remarkable too, providing so much volunteer support. Music Director Yariv Aloni has taken on Norman’s legacy; he’s the only one who could have done it, and we are lucky to have him.”
Learn more and see the program for Sunday’s Fling!