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The PBO Experience

Fresh. It may sound funny to describe music that was written two or three centuries ago as fresh, but PBO’s lively approach to Baroque music creates an entirely new experience. Without a conductor, every player takes full responsibility for what he or she brings to the music.

As specialists in Baroque performance, PBO’s musicians express a great understanding of both the passion and the context of the music. Through them, period, personality and performance style come together to make the music stimulating, exciting, and fresh, every time it’s played.

Alive. PBO performances are vivid -- they are not museum pieces. Our orchestra members employ period instruments and historical performance techniques to give you a musical experience that is alive and breathing in the here and now.

Intimate. PBO performs in small venues where every seat is close to the stage. The intimacy of the environment allows you to hear, see and appreciate every part. The small size of the ensemble allows each musician to respond to the others, in the moment. It’s a personally involving experience, for musicians and audiences alike.

Informal. Yes, we’re serious about our music, but overall, we’re a pretty informal group. We like to mingle with you in the lobby before the concert and during intermission. We enjoy giving pre-concert talks to offer greater context to your experience. We encourage you to wear your
comfortable clothes. And we feel that both laughter and awe are perfectly appropriate responses as you are moved by the music.

Yours. PBO exists to perform for you, and we wouldn’t be here without you. Whether you come for the historical angle to broaden your horizons or the simple pleasure of an evening of music, the PBO experience is our gift to you. As Artistic Director Monica Huggett says:

Music is fluid and speaks to the brain in ways that nothing else can. With musicians who really believe in what they are doing, you can create music that transcends the stage and fills the audience as it fills the musicians.

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PBO Musicians

Violin:
Carla Moore, concertmaster
Rob Diggins, principal 2nd violin
Alice Blankenship
Laura Cunningham
Joliane von Einem
Adam LaMotte
Paul Luchkow
Mary Rowell
Holly Stern
Janet Strauss
Robin VanDyke Dubay

Viola:
Victoria Gunn Pich, principal
Stephen Creswell
Karen Vincent

Violoncello:
Joanna Blendulf, co-principal
Tanya Tomkins, co-principal
Lori Presthus
Emily Walhout

Contrabass:
Curtis Daily, principal
Todd Larsen
Farley Pearce

Harpsichord and Organ:
Susan Jensen, principal

Guitar and Lute:
Richard Savino, principal

Flute:
Sonja Boon, principal
Lars Johannesson
Gwyn Roberts
Janet See

Recorder:
Marilyn Boenau
Kathryn Montoya
Gwyn Roberts

Oboe:
Gonzalo Ruiz, principal
Stephen Bard
Kathryn Montoya

Bassoon:
Marilyn Boenau, co-principal
Dennis Godburn, co-principal

Horn:
R.J. Kelley, principal
Paul Avril

Trumpet:
Barry Bauguess, principal
Nicholas Althouse
Matt Dalton
Adam Gordon

Timpani:
Mark Goodenberger, principal

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