Olympia Symphony ensembles to deliver live graduation or patriotic tunes to your home

The Olympia Symphony Orchestra’s next performance is June 20 — and if you want, it could be at your house.

The orchestra’s new Big Music in Small Groups program offers what the orchestra is calling “curbside delivery” by soloists and small ensembles, who’ll play “Pomp & Circumstance” or patriotic favorites at a social distance outside homes in the Olympia area.

The program is so innovative that it’s already drawing nationwide attention.

At a Friday meeting organized by the League of American Orchestras, Jennifer Hermann, the symphony’s executive director, told public-relations representatives from around the country about the music deliveries.

“The PR rep from the New York Philharmonic perked up and asked for more information,” she said. “I was beside myself with pride that an OSO idea would inspire the New York Phil and other major orchestras. I imagine much more live music-making as a result.”

Hermann envisions families having small, informal graduation ceremonies and Independence Day celebrations with live accompaniment.

Patrons will know what piece or pieces will be delivered, but the ensembles themselves will be surprises.

The musicians won’t necessarily be organized into traditional groups such as a string quartet, a woodwind ensemble or a group of brass players.

“We’re kind of mixing and matching, which I’m excited about,” said Laura Goben Harper, the orchestra’s personnel manager and an oboe player. “Some of our ensembles right now are like violin, viola, bass and French horn.

“I think for the people who will be receiving these music deliveries, it will be fun to see an eclectic group rather than a traditional ensemble.”

The project also is a lot of fun for the musicians, said Harper, whose husband, James Harper, plays French horn in the orchestra.

“The most exciting part is being able to get together — even though it’s from 6 feet away,” she told The Olympian. “To play music with living people again in person, that’s definitely exciting.”

“Our musicians are missing a huge part of their life, which is working in tandem with other musicians,” Hermann added.

Those ordering the music, which starts at $50 for a soloist playing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” need to make a reservation by the Sunday before the performance date. Patrons can request a delivery time, and the musicians will proceed from performance to performance, arriving within a one-hour window.

“It’s going to be kind of like the cable company,” Hermann said, laughing.

Big Music in Small Groups

What: The Olympia Symphony Orchestra is offering curbside delivery of classical selections played by small ensembles or soloists.

On the menu:

• “Pomp & Circumstance”: available between 1 and 7 p.m. June 20 and 27
• “The Star-Spangled Banner” on its own or with “The Armed Forces Medley” or “Stars and Stripes Forever”: available between 1 and 7 p.m. July 3 and 4

Where: Deliveries are available to zip codes 98501, 98502, 98503, 98506, 98512, 98513 and 98516.

Cost: $50-$150; reservations must be made a week in advance.

More information: Go to http://www.olympiasymphony.org/big-music-small-groups, or email oso@olympiasymphony.org

Also: Hear the full orchestra play “Pomp & Circumstance” in a video put together from recordings made at each musician’s home.