The Southern Ozarks Community Orchestra will present a Mother’s Day event at the historic Star Theater in Willow Springs.
The concert “To Mom, With Love” will begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $5. Children under 12 are free. The first 50 mothers will receive a free flower.
The special concert will include “How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place” by Brahms; “With Quiet Courage” by Daehn; Handel’s “Hornpipe” from Water Music; “Swedish Rhapsody” by Alfven; a selection of “Broadway Showstoppers”; and “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Copland.
The Southern Ozarks Community Orchestra is a volunteer group of 30 musicians of all ages and is conducted by Michael Roy, the Houston band director. However, this concert will feature two guest conductors who are members of SOCO.
Jodie Forbes, who teaches music at Houston Elementary School, and Joy Ellsworth are both working mothers who still find time to devote to their musical pursuits. Forbes graduated with honors and a bachelor’s of music in education degree from the Dana School of Music, part of Youngstown State University of Ohio, and was principal flute with the University Wind Ensemble. She traveled with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra for one year and was principal flute in the Venice Suncoast Symphony Orchestra. She has worked with many musical groups including “The Shortleaf Band,” handbell choirs and various vocal and instrumental ensembles. She is the mother of two sons, Lawton and Ahren, and a daughter, Olivia, who is also a member of the Southern Ozarks Chamber Orchestra.