3-26-15 Anna Edwards, conductor of the Saratoga Orchestra, demonstrates the power of pursuing a vision

I usually talk about issues relating to creating and running a business.  Last weekend I saw a remarkable concert that made me realize that having a powerful vision that leads to a remarkable accomplishment can apply not only to someone who has an idea to create a business, but to many other endeavors as well.

Anna Edwards, who was selected as the conductor of Whidbey Island’s Saratoga Orchestra last year, somehow managed to put together a performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana with the orchestra and a choir that consisted of high school students from Oak Harbor High School and some adults who enjoy singing in mostly amateur choirs on the south end of the island.

She had to figure out where to assemble her choir, where and when and how often to have rehearsals, which people could lead the choirs to be able to sing this very complicated cantata, and where she could hold the performances since there are no auditoriums on the island that have a large enough stage area to hold all of performers.

Somehow, she was able to pull it all together on March 21 and 22 (Oak Harbor and South Whidbey High Schools).  I have seen the Carmina Burana performed several times by professional symphony orchestras and professional choirs in large symphony halls (such as Beneroya in Seattle).  I was stunned by my experience with our local version.  I have spoken with several others who were at the concert who were also amazed.  It was as professional and powerful as anything I heard in the great symphony halls.

How Anna came up with the idea and the courage to take this on I don’t know.  But, obviously, it began with her first having the vision that it could be done.