October 26, 2022 10:50 a.m. 

In the KQEN Cultural Spotlight:

The Umpqua Symphony Association is honoring Jean Hinkle, who founded the Douglas County Youth Orchestra 25 years ago, at a special event in November.

In the 1959 Roseburg Blast, Central Junior High School was destroyed. The school’s band room faced west of the explosion’s epicenter, and all the stringed instruments were destroyed, which ended the string music program.

After the blast, children took private stringed music lessons, but never had the opportunity to play as an ensemble. In 1997, Hinkle, who was a member of the Umpqua Symphony Board of Directors, suggested the group consider establishing a stringed-instrument youth program.

Networking with private lesson instructors in the Roseburg area, Hinkle started a music program under the direction of the association. The initial class consisted of three violinists, and one cellist accompanied by a pianist. The program grew from there and was eventually named The Douglas County Youth Orchestra.

In celebration of the 25th year, the association will honor Hinkle at its Benefit Fall Gala called Denim and Diamonds, on Friday November 18th. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Roseburg Country Club. Former DCYO students are encouraged to attend. Tickets are $100 per person and are available at: https://dcyomusic.org/umpqua-symphony-association/, through the group’s Facebook page, or by calling 580-3357.