News – ESA

Stephanie Domurat joined ESA staff December 3, 2018. A life-long music enthusiast, majoring in voice before switching to Television and Broadcast Journalism for her BA from Chapman University.

Stephanie’s experience includes news anchor and reporter at KMTR in Eugene, as well as Spectrum News 14 in Charlotte, NC. Additionally, she spent two years as Community Education Manager at a social service non-profit in Irvine, California.

Posted on February 02, 2018

Photo by Pam Cressall, taken in July 2016 during Brunch with the Maestro at Sweet Cheeks Winery.

Caroline Boekelheide passed away earlier today at the age of 93.

It would be impossible to overstate Caroline’s importance to the Eugene Symphony over the course of its 52+ years of music and service. In fact, I can state unequivocally that what we know today would never have come to be without her passion and leadership in our earliest years, and all of the inspiration that she has given to so many of us ever since.

As we chronicled in the 50^th anniversary season a couple of years ago, the Symphony was literally born in her living room – one of my favorite memories from that celebratory year was shooting some video of her walking around her house as she recalled the first conversation about founding the ensemble out of the then-Emerald Chamber Players, and pointed out where the woodwinds and strings were placed for the very first rehearsals. She played oboe and flute in that first group, and was the first Vice President of the Board of Directors. She continued to serve on the Board until 2013, a truly remarkable and unparalleled 47 years. Upon her retirement, the Board dedicated the Symphonic series concert on May 16, 2013 to her.

Caroline also helped to establish what would be become known as the Eugene Symphony Guild, organized many fundraisers, and attended hundreds of concerts and events. She embodied grace and dignity in everything she did.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her son Karl and his wife Linda and their children Amanda and David, her daughter Annie, and her son Eric, all of whom grew up with the Symphony in Caroline’s footsteps. In death she joins her beloved husband Virgil and sister Trish McGillivary who passed before her.

We will honor Caroline’s legacy at an upcoming concert later this spring, and will share those details as soon as they’re settled. In the meantime, please join me and our entire Eugene Symphony family in thanking and remembering Caroline, perhaps raising a glass of her favorite drink (champagne, of course!) as a tribute to her at our next opportunity together.

In gratitude,
Scott

Journey through the Eugene Symphony’s onstage, community engagement, and education programs at GALA 2018: Explore the Music, the signature social event of the season! Join us to celebrate this year’s Advocate for the Arts Award recipients Jim and Barbara Walker, and enjoy cocktails, dinner, a brief auction, live music, dancing, and connecting with friends.

New this year is an exclusive Gala performance with Music Director & Conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong and Symphony musicians – you won’t want to miss it!

Questions? Call Ashley Petsch at 541-687-9487 ext. 110

Dust Off Your Instrument and “Play it Again!”

Eugene Symphony’s popular Play It Again! Adult Chamber Ensemble program brings together amateur musicians
(18 and older) who wish to dust off their instruments and play again!
Play It Again! participants will be formed into chamber ensembles with musicians at their skill level. Each ensemble
will receive six coaching sessions with professional Eugene Symphony musicians. The ensembles meet biweekly
(musicians determine schedule together) for rehearsals, discussion, and skill-building activities that culminate
with a public performance at the First Christian Church in downtown Eugene on May 27, 2018. $75 participation fee.

For more information contact Education & Community Engagement Director Katy Vizdal at
katy.vizdal@eugenesymphony.org 541-687-9487×116 or visit http://eugenesymphony.org/education/community/play-it-again.