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UPCOMING EVENTS

The Black Swamp Community Orchestra typically presents two programs per year, one in the Spring, and one in the Fall/Winter.

Spring Concert

FREE ADMISSION

Friday May 3, 2024 @ 7 PM
Free Christian Church of God
20799 State Route 15, Continental, OH 45831

Saturday May 4, 2024 @ 3:30 PM
Wesley United Methodist Church, Bryan OH
903 Center Street, Bryan, Ohio 43506

The Black Swamp Community Orchestra is committed to connecting our communities through the power of live instrumental music. All are invited to join us as together we experience the thrill of sharing music. We are grateful for your support and look forward to seeing you at our next performance!

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ABOUT THE ORCHESTRA

Originally begun as a string quartet in early 2004, the Black Swamp Community Orchestra is now a volunteer orchestra located in northwest (Defiance) Ohio. The BSCO is comprised of community music teachers, musicians, and students. We provide a musical outlet where younger school children, college students, and older professionals can all come together to share the love of music. This unique blend of youth through wisdom brings an experience unlike any other for participants.

Bo Young Kang, Conductor

Bo Young Kang is Director of Choral Activities at Bluffton University where she conducts Camerata Singers, University Chorale, and Choral Society, and teaches other general courses.

She has served as director of various choral ensembles, including Vox Beata, Collegium Musicum and UT Summer Choral Society at the University of Texas; Global Singers, The Twelve, and Korean Church Music Choir in State College, PA; and at numerous churches in Pennsylvania, Texas, and South Korea.

She was selected to be a conducting fellow for distinguished music programs, including the Norfolk Yale Chamber Music Festival, Eastman Summer Masterworks Masterclass, and the Choral-Orchestral Conducting Masterclass of Chorus America. Additionally, she has participated in conducting masterclasses with Simon Carrington, Vance George, Jerry Blackstone, William Weinert, Jo-Michael Scheibe, Julie Skadsem, David Hayes, Jacques Lacombe, Miriam Burns, Mark Shapiro, and Susan Medley. Her primary conducting teachers include James Morrow, Lynn Drafall and Christopher Kiver.

She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, studying with Dr. James Morrow, where she received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting. She was Director of University Chorus at UT Austin. As a teaching assistant in the Butler School of Music, she was Assistant Director of Chamber Singers and Concert Chorale, as well as Assistant Director with the Bach Cantata Project. In addition, she served as Teaching Assistant for Graduate Choral Literature and Undergraduate Choral Conducting.

Bo Young Kang received the Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Sook Myung University in South Korea and the Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Pennsylvania State University, where she was Teaching Assistant and Assistant Conductor of Concert Choir, Oriana Singers, and University Choir under the direction of Dr. Lynn Drafall and Dr. Anthony Leach.

Dr. Kang is also a member of Vocal Arts Ensemble in Cincinnati led by Craig Hella Johnson as a singer.

IN LOVING MEMORY

Dale R. Schubert, Conductor
(July 8, 1948 - Jan. 12, 2022)

Dale Schubert was a veteran music educator, teaching music in the public school for over 45 years - full time for over 30 years. He began his teaching career at Auglaize-Brown Local School in Paulding County, later moving to Defiance City Schools for over 15 years, and retiring from Napoleon Area Schools as Director of Bands after nearly 31 years of teaching.

Dale received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from The Ohio State University and Master of Music in Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. His studies included conducting, performance and string studies with Robert Culver, Donald E. McGinnis, Robert LeBlanc, Roland Vamos, Sylvan Ward, Victor Zajec, Roger Rocco and Thomas Fabish among others. His professional affiliations included NAfME, OMEA, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha, ASBDA and Phi Beta Mu.

Dale was an Educational Sales Representative with Rettig Music, Inc., and a clinician and consultant for Ed Sueta Music, Peapack, New Jersey. He was active as an OMEA Concert and Marching Band adjudicator, and conducted clinics with many elementary, junior high and high school bands around the country.

He performed regularly on Tuba with the Lima Area Concert Band, BrassWorks Brass Quintet and Tu-ba Fours Tuba Quartet, and conducted the annual TubaChristmas in Defiance.

Dale leaves behind a tremendous legacy, and many cherished memories for all who knew him.

Nancy S. Davis, Founder

Nancy Davis (pictured 2013 with her husband Dr. Jerry Davis) has been both a teacher and performer of piano, violin, and viola. She holds a Masters Degree in Education with Music Major from Bob Jones University, and has enjoyed a multi-faceted career in music.

In early 2004, many of Nancy's private students were progressing in their studies, and she wanted a way for them to gain valuable performance experience in front of an audience. They began rehearsals in Nancy's backyard and garage and called themselves "The Black Swamp String Ensemble". They started out by performing a summer concert at the gazebo in Oakwood, Ohio, followed by a Christmas Concert at the Defiance, OH mall; some string ensemble works, solos, and duets.

The orchestra continued to grow, and was hosted by the Stroede Center for the Arts, as well as Defiance College. Today, the Black Swamp Community Orchestra has evolved into a full orchestra, complete with wind, brass, string and percussion instruments, and the musicians perform at various venues in the Defiance, Ohio area.

The BSCO is in its 21st season (Fall 2023 - Spring 2024), and remains committed to Nancy's vision and philosophy of music, to give young people, students and adults alike an outlet with which to share their God-given gifts, and the bless the community with beautiful music. The BSCO is indebted to Mrs. Nancy Davis for her hard work, dedication, and the wealth of knowledge she has shared.

Or Go To:

https://bit.ly/32CGMav

DONATE

The BSCO is a volunteer group, funded entirely by the community. 100% of donations* go to the operating expenses of the orchestra.

Your donations will be greatly appreciated and will help us purchase sheet music, music stands, as well as print and online marketing. This will ensure that the BSCO will be able to share the gift of orchestral music in the community for years to come.

*PayPal will deduct 2.9%

Please send Donations by Check to:

Dr. Timothy Hogan
1591 Horsey Rd.
Defiance, OH 43512

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

We recognize our sponsors, whose support of the BSCO reflects an investment in the orchestra and in the well-being of the community.

Please contact us to become a sponsor.

CONTACT

Do YOU have interest in playing with the BSCO, or have other general questions? We'd be happy to help! Please fill out the form and we will reply as soon as possible.

There are no age limits to play in the BSCO, and we have a wide range of experience represented. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings, 6:30 - 8:30 pm (see current schedule in "Members" area).

Rehearsal Location
1399 Jefferson Ave., Defiance, OH 43512

(419) 785-6350

info@blackswampcommunityorchestra.org

https://blackswampcommunityorchestra.org

MEMBERS AREA

WELCOME TO THE SPRING 2024 SEASON

View: Sheet Music | Practice Audio Tracks

Info Feed

Rehearsals will begin Thursday, February 15, 2024.

Please note that there is a new location for rehearsals: First Baptist Church, 1399 Jefferson Ave, Defiance, OH 43512

Please remember to bring your own music stand to rehearsal, and your black music folder from any previous concerts, if you still have it.

Please print your own copies of sheet music prior to our first rehearsal, if you can.

3/8/24: Practice audio tracks added, and sheet music pieces updated.

Rehearsal Location - First Baptist Church: 1399 Jefferson Ave., Defiance, OH 43512

Rehearsal Schedule

6:30-8:30 Thursday, February 15, 2024

First Baptist - Strings only

6:30-8:30 Thursday, February 22, 2024

First Baptist - Strings only

6:30-8:30 Thursday, February 29, 2024

First Baptist - Strings + all others who can attend

6:30-8:30 Thursday, March 7, 2024

First Baptist - Strings + all others who can attend

6:30-8:30 Thursday, March 14, 2024