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 currently on summer break. Rehearsals will begin on Tuesday, August 27th, 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 Rebecca Cash at 417-962-0979 or email at beckycash@yahoo.com.
If you are interested in booking the orchestra for a performance, please contact one of the above individuals.
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.
Sam Van Dielen is the new Associate Conductor/Director of the Southern Ozarks Community Orchestra. Sam has been a member of SOCO for the last several years, performing as a tuba player. Sam is also the director of bands for the Houston R-1 School District. He is a graduate of Missouri State University, where he was also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Concert Schedule:
SOCO is in the planning phase for 2024/2025 and will post concert dates as soon as decided.
Orchestra Members
Music Directors
Conductor
- Jodie Forbes
Concertmaster
Michael Charlton
Violin
Millie Padgett
- Rebecca Cash
- Amanda Kargel
Cello
- Brandy Taylor
- Ben Call
Bass
- Fred McKinney
Flute/Piccolo
- Sarah Heselton
- Laura Maxwell
- Clara Williams
- Penny Green
Clarinet
- Zane Johnson
- Yummi Joliff
Oboe
- Katherine Markee
Bassoon
Ginny Van Oskeuls
French Horn
Nikki Dean
Jim Dermott
Trumpet
- Rich Tompson
- Teresa Lindsay
- Brittany Sutton
- Don Beste
Tuba
Thomas Matney
Trombone
- Steven Sellers
- Kim Darrah
- Tate Cochran
Keyboard
Brandon Coursen
Percussion
- Andrew Stockard
- Cason Woolsey
- Brandon Coursen
- Christian Royer
- Philip Matney
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