Southern Delaware Orchestra stringing together rehearsals

White space can be a puzzling proposition in the creative world. There are some who are haunted by its seemingly taunting existence while others fill with excitement at the prospects of a new creation. Eva DelGallo and Steve Greifer, both lifelong musicians, fall into the latter category and have recruited more than 40 like-minded players to join them in animating their new concept – Southern Delaware Orchestra. SODELO is a string ensemble of local musicians possessing varying levels of experience but equal levels of enthusiasm for classical music. Their inaugural performance is set for 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 16, in the Fellowship Hall at Bethel United Methodist Church in Lewes.

DelGallo, a public school and private studio teacher for violin and cello for many years, says the new group is perfect for someone like her because it allows her to be in an orchestra while maintaining a flexible schedule. She credits Greifer for manifesting her desires into something tangible that local musicians searching for something similar can be a part of. 

The duo was able to secure the Harbor Lights CHEER Center as a practice venue and obtained the services of University of Delaware’s Director of Orchestral Activities James Allen Anderson as the music director and conductor. 

“[Eva, Jim and I] have the same attitude toward the orchestra. There's a lot of different ways to approach music; we've got high-quality music, but we've got a sense of inclusiveness and community,” Greifer said.

More than 30 people showed up for the group’s first rehearsal May 3, and participation has remained high in subsequent practices, despite the uptick in seasonal activities. With the first show rapidly approaching, Anderson’s leadership skills were on full display during SODELO’s June 7 practice. The former president of the International Conductors Guild showcased the wealth of musical knowledge at his disposal with effective guidance and coaching through what appeared to be unrelated exercises. 

“I've had some experience starting new groups, and this is a passion of mine to work at community ensembles, and really it's a testament to their vision, right?” Anderson said. “They saw a need and an opportunity, which led to the formation of this group. So it's a great thrill for us, for me, in particular, to be able to make music with them.”

At the practice, Anderson had members play notes at different time measures and went into detail about why a specific note should be played in a desired style. Isolated, these sounds were so fragmented that it was difficult to identify the specific composition attempting to be achieved, but when the various sections returned as a whole, Anderson’s vision came to fruition. The theme of the July 16 concert will be one of celebration, birth and an ardent hope for the flowering of a new organization. Anderson said he believes Leonard Bernstein’s “Make Our Garden Grow” will be the selection that best embodies the spirit of the evening.

More information about the orchestra, including locations of the upcoming concerts, is available on its Facebook group, SODELO. To learn more about SODELO rehearsal times and requirements, email delgalloviolin@gmail.com or sgreifer@gmail.com. The first concert venue, Bethel United Methodist Church, is located at 128 W. Fourth St., Lewes.