Video: West Seattle Community Orchestras’ 10th-anniversary gala, with bittersweet surprise

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

As the West Seattle Community Orchestras celebrated 10 years of musicmaking with a gala concert last night at Chief Sealth International High School, there was an emotional moment before the closing singalong: WSCO co-founder Dr. Toni Reineke – leading the WSCO Intermediate Orchestra in our first clip above – announced she’s retiring from conducting:

(Her announcement was followed by the closing singalong, “Rock Around the Clock.”) As was stressed in the announcement, Dr. Reineke – whose bio is here – will remain involved with the organization she founded to give community members of all ages/abilities a chance to be involved with orchestral music. She’ll be teaching beginning winds/percussion in the fall – class information, along with how to join WSCO, is on the organization’s website.

P.S. WSCO has one more concert this season before its summer break – 7 pm June 11th, also at CSIHS, the Symphony Orchestra performs works by Schubert, Schumann, and more!

Alice May 15, 2013 (2:56 pm)

Awwwww.

Robert May 15, 2013 (7:57 pm)

Thank you Toni for all your hard work! You’ve brought the joy of music to many! A wonderful gift.

Lyanda May 15, 2013 (8:06 pm)

Brava Dr. Toni Reineke! She’s been (and will continue to be) a tireless advocate for the importance of music in the lives of our youth and our community.

Mary May 15, 2013 (11:31 pm)

Thank you, Toni, for your amazing talent, vision, diection and love of music. I salute you for your dedication to the orchestra and know you will continue to make a musical difference in our community!

Brooke May 16, 2013 (11:42 am)

Toni, you have been my angel. I would not be playing at all if it weren’t for you. During the first season when I was getting discouraged, I remember your saying “I’m not going to let you quit.” I didn’t. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are so very loved by so many. Thank you just isn’t enough.

Mark Ahlness May 16, 2013 (2:33 pm)

Toni is one amazing person. We are all better for having known and worked with her.

Thank you, Toni!

Janelle May 19, 2013 (10:28 am)

Playing in WSCO has been a dream come true, and I want to thank Toni so much for all of her hard work and effort put into this program.I am amazed by amount of dedication and preserverance she has put into keeping these orchestras free and open to the community. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to play in a full orchestra, something I had always dreamed of doing:)

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