Newport Symphony Orchestra and Oregon Coast Aquarium provide live symphonic music for its animals - The Register-Guard

Posted: 23 Oct 2020 05:30 AM PDT

Matthew Denis | Register-Guard

"Every aquarium should have a resident cellist," Newport Symphony Orchestra cellist Adrienne Welsh said.

After performances by Welsh and fellow cellist Vicki Strauss, Oregon Coast otters and "Passages of the Deep" aquarium creatures seem to agree.

During the aquarium's pandemic-related closure, the Newport Symphony Orchestra and the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport collaborated to provide a new form of enrichment for its animals: live symphonic music. Together, the nonprofit organizations filmed a music video in front of the sea otter window. The duo performed George Frideric Handel's very appropriate "Variations on Water Music Themes," a production that each institution hopes will aid animals and cultural awareness.

"This collaboration not only helps sustain both organizations, it is a virtual balm in a time of crisis," said Molly Dumas, director of development for the Oregon Coast Aquarium, in a press release. "Pairing the soothing quality of classical music with the mesmerizing beauty of the natural world is just the remedy our society needs to ease the anxiety of our times."

Long-time aquarium volunteer Melody Lavrakas found herself making final plans for an elementary school concert when everything was canceled in March. The next day, the aquarium notified Lavrakas it also was closing because of COVID-19 and she could no longer volunteer. When Lavrakas saw the pandemic would affect multiple community organizations, she considered how fellow nonprofits could help each other during closure. This led to proposing two symphony musicians performing for sea creatures, something both the aquarium and the symphony could use to reach patrons.

"When Melody shared the idea with me, I remember thinking, 'Wow, this is a perfect collaboration between two fantastic community institutions, supporting our beautiful sea creatures and beautiful symphonic music,'" former Newport Symphony Orchestra board president John Lavrakas said in a press release.

The symphony board approved funding to take on the project. When the aquarium agreed, organizers got to work. Out of the 60 musicians in the Newport Symphony, John Lavrakas reached out to Welsh, who was conveniently right in town.

"I'm incredibly lucky that John called me," Welsh said. "Not all of us are local. After reaching out to me, I wouldn't let him consider not letting me play."

Fortune worked in Welsh's favor. Cello duos are easier to squeeze into tight spaces than big groups. And Welsh and Strauss already have a professional relationship, hitting it off immediately after Strauss moved to Newport a year ago. During shutdown, the pair prepares music for any gigs that come up. When the aquarium came calling, the Agate Beach Cello Duo was ready.

"I think it's such a basic impulse to create and to make music," Welsh said. "Every time we have a chance to get out and play live music, the response is just absolutely amazing. People coming up and say how much they've missed it and how much joy it adds."

Strauss and Welsh sent a few of their musical clips to aquarium staff to determine which music worked best. They chose water music, an appropriate and joyful choice, according to Welsh.

Strauss and Welsh first performed in the aquarium's "Passages of the Deep" underground exhibit. While the audio was a dream, filming proved problematic.

"The exhibit is every musician's dream place to play and it was just as magical as I could have imagined," Welsh said. "With the incredible vibrations through the glass, the fish were congregating and I was looking at all these eyes."

Tunnels and rock caverns, however, meant it was tough to get a proper camera angle, so the sea otters, one of the most popular exhibits, worked as a logical compromise. It was outdoors, though. Coastal weather is not ideal for classical strings.

"It was pretty early morning and it was damp and cold and our fingers were getting tighter and tighter, but we wouldn't have missed it for the world," Welsh said.

Being at the coastal location, the cellists were surrounded by rocks, which made for excellent acoustics. The otters also seemed to appreciate the attention.

"Those creatures are used to seeing people for a big part of the day and they really haven't seen anyone except aquarium staff for several months," Welsh said. "I think they were very curious about what was happening."

Cello music at an aquarium is just another one of innumerable ways that cultural and entertainment venues have adapted to reach audiences during an imperiled era. The output, however, creates an impact that can last for generations.

"My hope is the aquarium can use the music video as a gift to their and our patrons and to keep them aware of these great organizations," Lavrakas said.

Newport Symphony Orchestra at Oregon Coast Aquarium

What: The Newport Symphony Orchestra performs George Frideric Handel's "Variations on Water Music Themes" virtual performance for sea creatures and human beings alike.

When: Filmed during the summer months, this performance is available to view online now.

Where: Oregon Coast Aquarium's YouTube channel

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