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WILLMAR — For the last 65 years, the Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra has brought soaring crescendos from composers such as Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven and Bach to the local community.
"Having a live orchestra in a community is a feather in that community's hat," said Frank Lawatsch, current WASO board chair and a violin player.
Hundreds of local musicians have shared their talents and passion for orchestral music with the friends, family and neighbors and it is a tradition they plan to continue.
While WASO now plays most of its concerts at the Willmar Education and Arts Center, in its earliest days its stage was a bit novel. The orchestra was founded in March 1957 by Dr. Lawrence and Margaret Opsahl. Rehearsals were done in their living room and concerts took place on their front lawn.
"He just loved music," said Barb Holmgren, WASO flute player. "That is why he encouraged people to take their instruments out of the attic and join him in his living room."
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The orchestra has had six directors over its 65-year history.
Lawrence Opsahl led the fledgling orchestra for its first seven years, and was followed by Chet Sommers. Sommers, who was also the founder of the music department at the Willmar Community College, would direct the orchestra for half of its existence, more than 30 years. Robert Whitney took over as director of the orchestra from 1997 until 2003, and was followed by Steven Eckblad until 2013. Sergey Bogza then led the orchestra from 2014 to 2016 before the orchestra welcomed current director Stephen Ramsey.
"Each one has increased our ability," Lawatsch said.
Being the director of the orchestra is full of fun and challenges.
"That is the fun part, being able to conduct the orchestra," Whitney said. "The challenging part is recruiting, recruiting, recruiting. Keeping those chairs filled so you can play that music."
For Ramsey, it is definitely a labor of love. In addition to WASO, he is also the music director for the Austin Symphony Orchestra, the University of Minnesota Health Services Orchestra and the Dakota Valley Symphony. For about 22 weeks of the year he travels up to 500 miles a week to direct the various orchestras. Despite the long hours spent driving, he feels it is well-worth it.
"This is food for the soul. This is a core, a necessity of life," Ramsey said. "We are warming our souls, we are feeding our souls."
What makes WASO special, Ramsey said, is the passion the musicians have for the orchestra.
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"The word 'passion' is a good one. They are very passionate about having an orchestra in Willmar," Ramsey said. "They are willing to work really hard to keep the orchestra going and flourishing."
For those who play with WASO, the orchestra offers them not only the opportunity to keep their musical skills sharp but also a chance to be part of a music-loving community.
"Everybody coming together to make this music is really enriching," Lawatsch said.
One of the best things about playing in an orchestra is working as a group to make a piece of music sound good. It might start out as just a bunch of noise, but by the end it can be magical.
"That is what it is about at every level," Ramsey said. "To hear these golden moments, those 'shivers up your spine' moments. That is what keeps everyone attached to this music making."
The music is as varied as the musicians playing it.
In the last several years, WASO has performed traditional classical pieces by some of the most famous composers — including Mozart and Dvorak. The scores can be challenging for the musicians to master, but it is a good challenge, Whitney said. It also introduces a wider audience to this type of music.
"You don't hear this type of music too often on television or radio. You have to go to a concert to hear this type of music," Whitney said.
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WASO has also been known to branch out from the traditional classical repertoire. The concert held in July, "Movie Magic," featured scores from hit movies like "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Apollo 13," "Jurassic Park" and "Titanic." WASO has also created themed shows around animals, such as "Equus" in April 2022 or the "Animalia" concert in October.
"We play such a variety of music," Holmgren said. "No two concerts are alike."
One of WASO's missions is to support and encourage the arts, especially in children. It has held concerts specifically for elementary students, and each year holds the young artist concert. The young artist concert, held each year in May, showcases one or two young musicians who are chosen through an audition process.
Ramsey said inspiring young people to pick up and learn to play an instrument is not just good for the individual but also for groups such as WASO.
"We are planting trees for the orchestra that will be playing in Willmar at its 80th anniversary," Ramsey said.
Over the decades, WASO has invited guest musicians from professional organizations such as the Minnesota Orchestra to perform. Local arts organizations have also shared the stage with WASO, including various dance schools and music groups. Ramsey sees this as not only a way to showcase the arts but build community.
"We are trying to encourage kinds of behaviors we'd love to see the community exhibit. That sense of collaboration, the sense of mutual community ownership that we are trying to make this a better place," Ramsey said.
Various studies across the years have shown music to have both health and emotional benefits. Playing or listening to music can be a creative outlet for people, a way to lower stress and anxiety and be a healthy way to deal with emotions.
"What it is all about is a full and complete expression of the full range of human emotions; being able to capture those in an artistic way. We need that desperately in our society now," Ramsey said. "We all need to express those emotions and bring them forth in a positive way."
Well into its seventh decade, the Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra has played its role in the community well. There is hope that it will continue to be that creative, emotional and community outlet the region loves and needs for decades more.
"I think Willmar is very lucky to have an orchestra," Holmgren said. "We want people to come and listen."
