Southern Ozarks Community Orchestra was formed in August of 2009 as the Southern Ozarks Chamber Orchestra. This group was formerly the West Plains Regional Orchestra and in 2009 voted to change its name and move to Willow Springs for practices. It was decided Willow Springs was a central location to gather for practice, as orchestra members are from West Plains, Mt. View, Houston, Cabool, Ava, Mtn. Grove, Willow Springs, VanZant, and Mtn. Home, Arkansas. The group operates through the Willow Springs Arts Council and performs regularly at the Star Theater.
The orchestra is back in practice sessions every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Ferguson Building.
This is a volunteer group of musicians with the mission to –
- Provide performance experiences for local students and musicians.
- Provide local live orchestra music to the residents of the Southern Ozarks area.
Anyone interested in joining the group can contact Ginny VanOskeuls at 417-855-0152 or email at vanogo@yahoo.com., or Jodie Forbes at 417-217-0542 or email at jforbes113@gmail.com.
If you are interested in booking the orchestra for a performance, please contact one of the above individuals.
Our next concert will be on Sunday, November 2nd at the Star Theater. It is entitled “Let Freedom Ring’ and will be a musical salute to our veterans! The concert starts at 3pm and tickets will be available at the door. Children under 5 are free and Veterans are our special quests!!!
We are very excited to have several members of SOCO join the Mountain Home Symphony. This group rehearses at the Vada Sheid Auditorium on the campus of Arkansas State University in Mountain Home. For more information on this group go to www.mountainhomesymphony.com.
Meet our Conductors/Directors
Jodie Forbes is the Conductor/Director of the Southern Ozarks Community Orchestra. Jodie has been a member of SOCO for many years, performing as a flute and piccolo player. She has also served as Conductor. Jodie is a retired elementary music teacher who taught in public schools for over 30 years. She graduated with honors and a bachelor’s of music in education from the Dana School of Music, part of the Youngstown State University in Ohio. She was the principal flute with the University Wind Ensemble. She traveled with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra for one year and was the principal flute in the Venice Suncoast Symphony Orchestra. Jodie has worked with many musical groups including “The Shortleaf Band”, handbell choirs, and various vocal and instrumental ensembles.
Concert Schedule:
Next Concert –
Sunday, November 2nd, 3PM at the Star Theater
Orchestra Members
Music Directors
Conductor
- Jodie Forbes
Concertmaster
Michael Charlton
Violin
- Michael Charlton
- Rebecca Cash
- Millie Crocket
- Naomi Crocket
- Leila Greenlee
Cello
- Brandy Taylor
Bass
- Fred McKinney
Flute/Piccolo
- Sophie Bailey
- Shawna Creaser
- Penny Green
- Janet Ramsey
- Clara Williams
- Laura Maxwell
Clarinet
- Dean Belshe
- Becky Estes
Oboe
- Trish Greer
Bassoon
- Ginny Van Oskeuls
French Horn
- AJ Haessly
- Teresa Lindsay
- Maddy Phipps
Trumpet
- Rich Tompson
- Don Beste
- Nikki Dean
Tuba/Electric Bass
- Fred McKinney
Trombone
- Steven Sellers
- Kim Darrah
- David Barbe
- Adam Rouse
Keyboard
- Karen Parker
Percussion
- Andrew Stockard – Drums
- Bob Rigus – Timpani
- Brandon Coursen
- Gabe Story
ORCHESTRA MEMBERS WHO TEACH:
Beginning Violin
Rebecca Cash – phone: 417-962-0979 – email: bbcash@hughes.net
Flute and Other Instruments
Jodie Forbes – phone: 417-217-0542 – email: jforbes@houston.k12.mo.us
Drums and Other Instruments
Fred McKinney – phone: 573-776-5253 – email:fredmck@gmail.com
Oboe
Ginny Van Os Keuls – phone: 417-855-0152 – email: ginnyvanoskeuls@gmail.com
Drum Set
Andrew Stockard – phone: 417-967-4089 – email: andrew_s92@rocketmail.com
Cello
Brandy Taylor – phone 417-259-7634 – email: cello@indigoskies.com