Ron Friesen
Ron Friesen continues his second year as Associate Conductor of the Tacoma Junior Youth Symphony with Dr. Cobbs as head Maestro. Ron has filled in commendably as substitute conductor for both Dale Johnson and Dr. Cobbs during their occasional absences the past four years. Ron has also contributed to the positive and nurturing environment of the Evergreen Music Festival as the Dean of Men, student security manager, and a music theory teacher. Ron’s greatest delight was, “...getting to know more of the students and staff in this family we call ‘Tacoma Youth Symphony’.”
Mr. Friesen brings three areas of strength to TYSA: a strong educational background in conducting, strong teaching experience and constantly growing experience as a conductor.
A sound education in music and conducting began as an undergraduate at Seattle Pacific University (B.A. 1972) and University of Oregon (M.M. 1976). At SPU Lylburn Layer provided wonderful tutelage and guidance, and the opportunity to be student conductor of the band. At the U of O, he continued studies with Richard Vagner, the university's wind ensemble conductor for many years, Helmutt Rilling, the Bach Festival conductor and a special summer of work with composer and conductor, Karel Husa, (most noted for "Apotheosis of the Earth").
Ron completed a thirty-year term of public school music education in 2003. This experience ranged from grades three though twelve, and included elementary general music, choirs at all levels, bands at all levels, junior high orchestra, guitar class, and stage bands in middle school and high school. The last twenty years were at Stanwood Middle School guiding terrific midlevel students to the joy of music in band, choir, stage band, and guitar. At the same time, strong guidance was provided to the district in curriculum and facility design and implementation.
Ron launched his second career of conducting while completing his teaching career. Ron played trumpet with the Everett Symphony from 1982 - 2001, serving as Principal the last approximately ten years. In the early '90's, Maestro Paul-Elliott Cobbs needed an assistant, so Ron stepped in to cover rehearsals. Then, in December 1996, Ron was asked to conduct the Nutcracker Ballet, which he has successfully done ever since. In addition, since 1998, he now also plans and directs the two Explore Music programs for Everett Symphony. Ron has been an assistant for the Tacoma Youth Symphony since 2001, and in 2004 was appointed to direct the Tacoma Junior Youth Symphony. Ron also has directed his church choir since 1989 at the Marysville Free Methodist Church. The wide range of experience in orchestra, band, and choir is one Ron enjoys. "There are always lessons one group may learn from the other's experiences which will help make the whole music experience more understandable and richer."
As Ron's availability becomes more widely known, he is being invited as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician with student groups. "I enjoy evaluating, encouraging and pointing to the next step individuals and groups can take rather than criticizing! This approach usually brings the best results in my experience, so I like to pass it on to everyone I work with."
For More Information Contact:
Tacoma Youth Symphony Association
901 Broadway Plaza, Suite 500
Tel: 253-627-2792
FAX: 253-627-1682
Internet:
info@tysamusic.org
