The Oneota Valley Community Orchestra

DRC Sponsor: Kim Bonnet

Founded in August of 2014, the Oneota Valley Community Orchestra (OVCO) is a volunteer ensemble open to all area (and non-area) residents who wish to perform great music in an orchestral setting. From symphonies to opera, the OVCO presents orchestral music from a variety of different styles and time periods ranging from the baroque era through newly commissioned works. A typical season consists of three to four "Masterworks" concerts, which include the full orchestra, and a few small venue concerts for their chamber music series.

OVCO Director Matt Cody instructs Band for the Decorah High and Middle Schools. He is a 2014 graduate of Colorado State University with a Masters Degree in Music Conducting and Music Education. While finishing his coursework at CSU, he also conducted members of Opera Fort Collins and Fort Collins Symphony in a concert production of The Secret Garden. He has studied with Wes Kenney-music director of Fort Collins Symphony, Opera Fort Collins, and Denver Youth Symphony; Jason Weinberger, music director of Waterloo Cedar Falls Symphony; and Dr. Robert L. Larsen, founder and music director of Des Moines Metro Opera and professor emeritus of Simpson College. In 2016 he received the American Prize in Conducting Award, Community Orchestra Division. In addition to his instrumental music proficiency, Matt occasionally performs as an operatic vocalist (baritone).

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**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advance to all members by email.