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A4 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM COMMUNITY Former Bulldogs open Desert Arts season with classical performance By TAMMY MALGESINI Community Editor Described as exceptional- ly talented musicians, a pair of Hermiston High School graduates will take the stage during the fi rst concert of the Desert Arts Council 2016-17 season. Kelly Kuo (piano) and Ron Blessinger (violin) are featured during “Evening with the Classics.” A home- coming for the duo, the for- mer Bulldogs have a surprise for the show’s encore. The performance is at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, in the Hermiston High School auditorium, 600 S. First St. Advanced tickets are $20 for adults or $10 for students. Tickets purchased at the door are an additional $5. While in town, Kuo and Blessinger will return to their alma ma- ter to teach master classes. Blessinger, who studied at the New England Conser- vatory of Music, is the artis- tic director for Third Angle New Music in Portland and also performs with the Ore- gon Symphony. The 1983 Hermiston graduate was wildly ap- plauded while performing as a guest violinist during a 2004 Oregon East Sympho- ny performance in Pendle- ton. It has been more than a decade since Blessinger per- formed in the area. Kuo, artistic director for the Oregon Mozart Players and music director/conduc- tor of the Butler Opera Cen- ter in Austin, Texas, attended the Manhattan School of Music. While in college, as winner of the Oregon East Symphony’s Concerto Com- petition, Kuo performed in Pendleton. However, he hasn’t taken the stage in Hermiston since graduating in 1990. “It was a special com- munity and it still is,” Bless- inger said about Hermiston. “It’s very meaningful to be able to play there. It formed who I am.” “It is almost surreal to be returning to the city which nurtured my musical inter- ests and planted the seeds which allowed me to pursue a career in this challenging fi eld,” Kuo added. While Blessinger and Kuo are connected in several ways — Blessinger’s mom was Kuo’s fi rst piano teach- er and Blessinger, himself, instructed Kuo on violin — they have never taken the stage together. Although, Kuo said they did partici- pate in Suzuki violin recitals in the Blessinger’s living room. Blessinger is looking forward to playing with his former student. “Kelly has really made a career for himself as a con- ductor,” Blessinger said. “He’s had tremendous suc- cess.” Both men have expressed appreciation for former teachers, private music in- structors and their parents’ support in fostering their interest in music. While in high school, Blessinger’s parents took him to Pullman, Washington, for lessons. The Kuos traveled to Portland for their son’s individual lessons. Kuo said he and his brother often would start practicing inside the van during the trips — Kelly on clarinet and Calvin on trom- bone. “This is so above and be- yond the call of duty,” Kuo said in a 2010 East Orego- nian interview. “It’s almost ridiculous how dedicated they were ... they encour- aged us to excel at whatever we were doing.” In addition, Kuo gave credit to Mark Lane and Ric Sherman, former Hermiston schools teachers who devel- oped band programs to spark interest in young musicians. Kuo and Blessinger said programs in Pendleton, Wal- la Walla and the Tri-Cities provided a chance to hear the music of classical composers and opportunities to perform as soloists in competitions. Individual and season tickets are available at the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce, Hermiston Parks & Recreation and www.desertartscouncil.com. For more information, call Larry Fetter at 541-667- 5007 or Phyllis Shovelski at 541-379-6992. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016 Authentic village offers ‘Journey to Bethlehem’ By TAMMY MALGESINI Community Editor An interactive tour set in an outdoor village shares the Biblical story of Jesus’ birth during a free event this weekend in Hermiston. Journey to Bethlehem features the sights, sounds and smells of what life may have been like 2,000 years ago in the village. Jo Ann Rincker, a member of the Hermiston Seventh-day Ad- ventist Church, has been in- volved with the production since its inception in 2008. “To me, this is the real meaning of Christmas,” she said. “There are some peo- ple out there who have nev- er heard the story, so I think it’s important to be told.” The 20-30 minute guid- ed tours are Friday through Sunday from 5-8:30 p.m. behind the Hermiston Sev- enth-day Adventist Church, 855 W. Highland Ave. While waiting for tours to start, people are invited to wait in the warm church sanctuary and listen to mu- sic. Kids will be given little packets with a booklet and activities. “I think it will help with the wait,” Rincker said. “We have had problems with the wait being too long and we’ve had people leave because they have children that would get inpatient.” About 100 costumed actors participate in the dramatic production. In addition to members of the Hermiston and Anchor Point Seventh-day Adven- tist churches, other church- es and community mem- bers have got involved with the effort. Located near the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the First Christian Church provides childcare. Also, live animals in- clude everything from sheep, goats and chick- ens to llamas, which are dressed up to look like lit- tle camels. The animals, Rincker said, help provide an authentic experience of entering a village during Biblical times.. Provided as an outreach ministry, it’s important to organizers to offer the ex- perience free of charge. Some people, Rincker said, might not be able to attend if they had to pay. Howev- er, donations are gladly ac- cepted. “It’s something we want to provide for our commu- nity,” Rincker said. For more information, call 541-567-9000. Printed on recycled newsprint VOLUME 110 ● NUMBER 47 Gary L. West | Editor • gwest@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4532 Tammy Malgesini | Community Editor • tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4539 Jade McDowell | Reporter • jmcdowell@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4536 Jeanne Jewett | Multi-Media consultant • jjewett@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4531 Shannon Paxton | Offi ce coordinator • spaxton@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4530 Audra Workman | Multi-Media consultant • aworkman@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4538 To contact the Hermiston Herald for news, advertising or subscription information: • call 541-567-6457 • e-mail info@hermistonherald.com • stop by our offi ces at 333 E. Main St. • visit us online at: hermistonherald.com The Hermiston Herald (USPS 242220, ISSN 8750-4782) is published weekly at Hermiston Herald, 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, OR 97838, (541) 567-6457. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES Delivered by carrier and mail Wednesdays Inside Umatilla/Morrow counties .......... $42.65 Outside Umatilla/Morrow counties ....... $53.90 Periodical postage paid at Hermiston, OR. Postmaster, send address changes to Hermiston Herald, 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, OR 97838. Member of EO Media Group Copyright ©2016
