Seattle Washington - June 2010 -- A first of its kind event, Synergia Northwest blended classical, contemporary, professional and student musicians into one concert, unifying musicians across cultures, ages and musical genres.Two years in the planning, Synergia Northwest proved to be everything it was billed to be and more, all in the name of Washington State Youth Music Education.

"It was a grand and successful musical experiment and due to the overwhelming response from audience members and participants, the Synergia Northwest concept will continue to blossom and grow. We learned a lot this time around and for such a new concept we did well. We ended up raising much needed funds that will provide extended learning, enrichment and performance opportunities to students who would not have the necessary financial resources We are grateful to Music Aid Northwest for receiving and distributing the funds to Young Musicians Excelling, the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Tacoma Youth Symphony Orchestra and Music Aid Northwest's "Music Matters" Washington State license plate campaign," said musician Michael McMorrow, Synergia Northwest Executive Producer and Musical Director.

The concert performance was one continuous piece broken into 2 sets that weaved in and out of genre and encapsulated centuries of music within a 2 hours performance. The opening sequence began with a powerful and beautiful tribute to the legacy of Beaverchief aka Fred Jamison. Beaverchief was of NW Coast Salish decent, registered with the Lummi Tribe and West Saanich tribe near Vancouver, CA. Beaverchief's son Freddy, brother George, Salena Moses, Bret Smith and composer Mark Nichols lent their voices to the performance of his Dreamer Song then the stage lights slowly lit to the newly formed Synergia Northwest Orchestra, conducted by internationally recognized Dr. Nikolas Caoile, Director of Orchestras at Central Washington University which was comprised of some of the area's finest professional classical musicians with selected players from Washington State Public School Orchestras.

"Here in Tacoma, it's all about celebrating the extraordinary talents of our region's young people and raising awareness for youth music in the Northwest, something that is very close to my heart." Gerard Schwarz, Conductor Musical Director Seattle Symphony, said in a statement the night of the event.

Musicians who lent their talents to this historic breathtaking performance included some of the Pacific Northwests most high profile rock recording artists all backed by the 46 piece Synergia Northwest Orchestra including Grammy award-winning drummer Alan White (Yes, John Lennon) renowned guitarist Howard Leese (Heart, Paul Rodgers, Bad Company) with Randy Hansen, Mike Derosier, Michael McMorrow - Grammy nominated Eugene, Oregon native Tracy Bonham (Mother, Mother) -- visionary six-string violinist Geoffrey Castle, Seattle Seahawk Blue Thunder and 31 years in the making reunion of Original Members of "Heart" Steve Fossen. Roger Fisher, Michael Derosier, Howard Leese with vocalist Somar Macek.

"What Synergia 2010 delivered was much more than just nostalgia and a music entertainment event. The show was a celebration of life, love, music and the majesty of Native American culture and the indomitable human spirit." remarked Greg Roth "Seattle Music Insider". "All in all, it truly was an uplifting and amazing evening. Synergia Northwest 2010 was a nod to the past with an eye on the future, in the form of music education for future generations of all creeds and colors."

Synergia Northwest remains committed to Northwest Youth Music Education and is already creating Synergia Northwest 2011.

For those who could not make it or for those wanting to relive the magic, please click here to view the officially sanctioned Synergia Northwest photos provided by Jerry and Lois Levin.

For a full version of Greg Roth's show review please click here

A BIG thank you to all of our performers, our staff and crew (the best of the best) our wonderful volunteers, photographers and all of our sponsors: the Tacoma Landmark Convention Center, Musicworks Northwest, Washington Music Educators Assoctiation, NAF Productions, Stenide Lighting, Drifting Homeward Music, Music Aid Northwest and Central Washington University.

Synergia Northwest 2010, Temple Theatre, Tacoma Washington 5-15-2010

Set One