The Ozark Festival Orchestra, Southwest Missouri’s premier community orchestra, has been self-sustaining since 1980. The OFO consists of approximately 55 musicians from the Southwest Missouri and Arkansas region, ranging in age from 15 to 80+. OFO performs four concerts per year, featuring great works of classical, baroque, romantic, pop, and patriotic music. Our musicians share the joy of making music together and are dedicated to providing quality, affordable symphonic performances for all residents of Monett, Southwest Missouri and beyond. Our orchestra is comprised of community members, physicians, retirees, students, teachers, and other professionals; some who have been performing with the OFO for over 40 years. Many members have performed with national orchestras and taught on the university level. Additionally, we promote youth and local talent through our annual Young Artist Concerto Competition. We also continue to develop relationships with our local community, highlight artistry within our own membership, and enrich our community by bringing “Great Music to a Hometown Audience.” What makes OFO special: While there is no string program in the local Monett school system, the OFO provides a civic orchestra experience to the surrounding community that pays mileage to volunteer musicians, bringing in talent from miles around.​ Although our orchestra has been comprised of mostly volunteer musicians, through generous donations of our community, a few contract musicians have been hired to “fill in the gaps” and ensure high-quality performances. This mainly entails string positions to keep our string section strong, since there is not a string program in Monett. This began in 1980 when the OFO was formed. Mission Statement “Bringing Great Music to Hometown Audiences”​ The OFO has strived to bring a quality, full-orchestral experience to a community that otherwise would not have such a gem right in their hometown. How It All Started In 1978 Carolyn Belknap moved to Monett. Carolyn was a string teacher/musician with 5 children who all played string instruments. Carolyn said, “When I moved to Monett, there wasn’t much going on in the way of the arts and nothing for string players.” In 1980 Carolyn started a string group which included her students and children. After a bit of advertising, string players from the community “came out of the woodwork!” and the Ozark Chamber Orchestra was founded! As the forerunner of the OFO, this chamber group included two community members: Phyllis Garrett and Marty Beckwith. Both had been carpooling to Missouri Southern College in Joplin for the opportunity to play and perform with the collegiate orchestra. But now Monett offered an outlet for musicians interested in orchestral playing! Phyllis is still a current member of the OFO, going on 45 years as principal cellist. Although Marty is no longer with us, her family sponsors the last concert of the year in her honor; “The Marty Beckwith Memorial Concert." By July 4th, 25 strings joined a 40-member choir at the City “Casino” and by Fall of 1980 they had a full orchestra. The Ozark Festival Orchestra was incorporated as a non-profit in February of 1981. Although Carolyn was the founder and original music director, John Archer conducted as well as John Cheary, the band director at Monett High School. Later Dr. Jordan Tang, who was the orchestra director at SMSU was hired.​ Getting Off the Ground A board was formed and a membership drive ensued. What began with 40 contributors increased to 73.​ For the 1982-83 season performances were given in the Monett City Hall Auditorium. There were 600 seats on the 3rd floor and there was no elevator until 1998!​ At this time the OFO performed a 3-concert season with each concert performed twice: in Monett and a neighboring town. Giving 2 performances per concert series was one of the stipulations of the Missouri Arts Council in order to secure funding. Concerts were in October, December, and May. By 1993-94 Carolyn Belknap's original studio, which had grown to include 10-12 string teachers and 75-100 string students, moved to a larger building in the middle of town.​ Financing On October 17, 1980 a new membership drive kicked off and a black tie benefit dinner was held in Freistatt, MO. There was also a Holiday Gourmet Dinner and home tour. These funding drives secured the purchase of a Kawai Piano in 1983. Murray Bishoff, keeper of the official OFO scrapbook book and violist, joined the board in 1989. Murray introduced program ads and started a newsletter that was and is still sent out every year, increasing awareness about the benefits of supporting the OFO. Until Murray’s involvement, the orchestra had always “passed the hat” at all performances, but this wasn’t a consistent means of financial support. The board then determined that the orchestra needed more than “passing the hat” to be at its best. It was decided to start charging admission: $5 seniors, $10 adults, 18 and under free. Tickets are still available at this rate, in efforts to provide an affordable musical experience for community members. OFO Musical Highlights Notable works have included selections from Handel's Messiah, which has been performed by the OFO more than any other work dating back to 1987 at the Monett Centennial Celebration. A few years later it was performed with David Goza conducting, and then again under the baton of Todd Borgmann, taking the orchestra to Cassville.​ Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue has been a hit with audiences several times, in addition to popular favorites and timeless classics. The OFO has also debuted student works and commissions by local composers. Recent performances have included works from Hayden, Copland, Holst, Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker (including the Midwest Regional Ballet Company performing with the orchestra), and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, only to name a few.​ OFO Now OFO holds concerts at the Monett Performing Arts Center in partnership with the Monett School System. Concerts are held at 1 David Sippy Drive, Monett, Mo. This is a 21,600 sq ft Tornado Safe/Performing Arts Center addition to the Monett High School. It consists of a 700 seat Auditorium that also serves as a FEMA 361 Community Safe Room for the students & faculty of the High School, the adjacent Scott Technology Center, and the surrounding Community. Costs incurred are approximately $6000 per concert which includes conductor, concert master, contract players, mileage for our musicians coming more than 30 miles, programs, music, and more. Additional insurance fees are required to belong to ASCAP.​ To underwrite a concert, the cost is $5000. Some of our gracious underwriters include the Beckwith family, Robin Walker, the Scabarozis Family and the Barry-Lawrence United Fund.​ We also have partial sponsors who underwrite portions of our concerts, including our Young-Artist concert. This fund has recently averaged 55 donors and 50 advertisers who place ads in our program booklet. The OFO performs 4 concerts a year; a fall concert in October, Christmas concert in December, a concert that features Young Artists in Feb/March and our final pops concert, (which is a major fundraisers) in April. You can find information for all concerts on our website: www.ozarkfestivalorchestra.org or on our Facebook page. These sites highlight our concerts and include the Young Artist Contest winners. About Carla Wootton, Current Director: Carla grew up in Pleasant Hope, MO, a rural/farming community. She is a retired band director and was the Associate Director for Springfield Youth Symphony for 10+ years. She has conducted operas in Joplin, at MSU, and conducted “Rise”, a Texas Tenors PBS special. In addition to conducting the OFO, Carla shares her love of music in the following roles: *Music coordinator/pianist/organist at Trinity Presbyterian in Springfield *Music Coordinator with the Springfield Landers Theatre *On-call musician (flute/piccolo) with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra She is also a mom of 4 kids: 2 grown and married with 2 grandchildren and 2 teenagers still living at home. Carla's husband, Tim Wootton, is a professional trumpet player, teacher, and adjunct professor at Evangel University. Carla's Musical Goals for OFO “The Ozark Festival Orchestra becomes a household name in the town of Monett and surrounding communities.” "Everyone loves playing!” Rehearsals are fun and rewarding for members. “Concerts are a joy for the audience and the musicians.” All who are at our concerts, whether our players or those in the audience, will be engaged and love the experience. “Every musician feels respected and appreciated for their contribution.” “Rehearsals are experienced as a musical journey with every rehearsal getting better, musicians having fun, and ego is not part of the equation.” Play for Missouri Music Educator's Association (MMEA) someday. Possible performances over-seas! Co-ordinate with another orchestra to give a side-by-side performance. OFO Conductors 1980-1981 John Cheary 1982-1983 Jordan Tang 1983-1985 Stephen Plate 1985-1999 Ernie Pratt 1989-1992 David Goza 1992-1993 Richard Heinzle 1993-1995 David Goza 1995-1998 Amy Muchnick 1998-1999 David Goza 1999-2014 Ken Meisinger* 2014-2022 Todd Borgmann 2022-2023 Alex Kovatch 2023- Carla Wootton​ *Ken Meisinger was the longest serving conductor for the OFO, directing the orchestra for 15 years. He also started the popular Young Artist Competition and Concert Series in 2000.