The Odysseus Chamber Orchestra was founded in 2012.[/caption]
The sound of violins starts off slowly. Then the viola begins a romantic tune followed by an orchestra of string, wind and percussion instruments.
The Odysseus Chamber Orchestra has been performing in Frisco and McKinney since 2014, performing pieces by some of history’s most famous composers.
Artistic Director and conductor Jason Lim founded the orchestra in 2012 in Denton. After a couple of years in Denton, Lim decided to move the orchestra performances to Frisco and McKinney because he said there was more community support in both cities.
“It’s hard for orchestras to be viable without that city support,” Lim said. “Right now the support in McKinney is really good, and Frisco Arts right now is rebuilding, but I think the future looks quite promising.”
Lim, who has guest-conducted throughout the world, came up with the concept for the orchestra when teaching in Ithaca, New York. He said it was a time in his career in which he was reinventing himself as a conductor. He believed it was fitting to name the orchestra after Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, Greece in Homer’s epic poem, “The Odyssey.”
Lim prepares for each concert season a year in advance doing research on the repertoire, or collection of music, and seeing how much funding is available to rent the music for the whole season.
The orchestra is made up of award-winning musicians who have played with other symphonies and orchestras throughout the world.
In 2014, the orchestra came in second place in the American Prize competition for professional orchestra. The American Prize is a series of national competitions designed to recognize the best performing artists in the country.
The orchestra is made up of award-winning musicians who have played with other symphonies and orchestras throughout the world.[/caption]
Some of the pieces the orchestra plays are by notable composers, such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The orchestra performs with other local performing arts groups, such as the Frisco Chorale and the McKinney Arts and Music Guild.
The orchestra also incorporates theater and dance into some of its performances.
“Our goal is to think outside the box, be unique and break away from traditional concerts,” Lim said.
Lim said the orchestra has a mentorship program that serves school districts in the area. He said the orchestra identifies talented and exceptional high school students and invites them to participate in the program. The program offers an opportunity for students to rehearse and perform side by side with the orchestra’s professional musicians.
“We want to give that opportunity to kids, and, at the same time, it’s a way for us to connect with our community and connect with the musical directors at the school districts,” Lim said.
The orchestra also offers free chamber music concerts for schools and neighborhoods.
Lim said he would like to see growing community support as well as expand the concert season to five to eight performances in each city and to expand the outreach programs in each community.
“We want people to know who we are and that we’re here to perform and be part of the community,” Lim said.
