Follow-ups: Sequim composer Jennifer Thomas makes Billboard debut

By Matthew Nash • November 7, 2018 1:30 am
Jennifer Thomas’ newest album “The Fire Within” debuted in its first week on three Billboard charts — No. 3 Classical, No. 2 Classical Crossover, and No. 25 Heatseekers. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Thomas
Jennifer Thomas’ newest album “The Fire Within” debuted in its first week on three Billboard charts — No. 3 Classical, No. 2 Classical Crossover, and No. 25 Heatseekers. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Thomas

Week to week, reporters cover dozens of stories from the heartbreaking to heartwarming. Here, we take a moment to revisit previous stories to update the community on their latest developments.

Local pianist, composer makes Billboard debut

Jennifer Thomas, a Sequim composer, saw her latest album “The Fire Within” appear on multiple Billboard charts upon its first week of release on Oct. 12.

Her classical crossover album debuted at No. 2 on “Classical Crossover,” No. 3 on Billboard’s “Classical,” and No. 25 on the “Heatseekers” chart, which includes multiple genres.

Thomas said the news is “pretty exciting” and “it’s not easy to chart on Billboard Classical.”

Thomas spoke about her process for the album in the July 4 story “Finding the fire within,” saying this album came from a lot of personal experiences.

One example, the song “Girl in the Mirror,” is about her struggles with body image and “being happy with person you are,” she said.

For the album, she recorded strings at Abbey Road Studios with the English Session Orchestra.

Along with the notoriety of debuting on the charts, Thomas was interviewed as part of Rolling Stone’s Nov. 3 story “Inside the Secretly Lucrative World of Solo Piano Music.” Thomas and other composers talk about the impact of online streaming services — such as Pandora and Spotify — on their livelihoods.

To learn more about Thomas and hear/purchase her music, visit jenniferthomasmusic.com and/or patreon.com/jenniferthomas.

Skaters, scooters, bikers unite

The Sequim Youth Skatepark Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, continues to seek funds to build a new skatepark in Carrie Blake Community Park.

More than 200 people participated in an Oct. 6 contest divided into age groups and abilities with national and local sponsors providing prizes.

In all, $3,014 went towards the foundation, said its president Mark Simpson, and they’ve raised more than $11,000 so far.

In the Oct. 11, 2017 story “Foundation looks to redesign Sequim Skate Park,” foundation leaders said a design from Grindline Concrete Skatepark Design and Construction of Seattle adds multiple elements and fixes the existing park at 202 N. Blake Ave.

Simpson previously said the park is rough for skaters due to cracks everywhere. It caters to an array of ages and styles though, including scooters, bicycles, rollerbladers and skateboards.

There is no funding for skatepark refurbishments in the City of Sequim’s budget for 2019, but is in the city’s Carrie Blake Master Plan.

Those seeking to support the park can go to the group’s Facebook page under “Sequim Youth Skate Park Foundation” or Sequim Skate Park Remodel/Expansion, and/or send tax-deductible donations to: Sequim Youth Skate Park Foundation, attention Mark Simpson, 341 Mountain View Drive, Sequim, WA., 98382.

The foundation’s next event, Sequim Irraskational Contest, is tentatively set to run during the Irrigation Festival in May.

A fine market finish up

The Sequim Farmers Market finished another successful season on Oct. 27 at the Sequim Civic Center.

“All of the vendors at the Sequim Farmers Market feel grateful for support from the City of Sequim and this community that helps our market thrive,” market manager Elli Rose said.

She said vendors worked together to clean up and beautify the plaza, which is now an annual tradition.

“We look forward to coming back to this beautiful venue in downtown Sequim in May 2019,” Rose said. “Thank you for a great season at the Sequim Farmers Market.”

The market also holds two Holiday Markets at the Guy Cole Event Center on Nov. 17 and Dec. 22.

For more information, visit www.sequimmarket.com.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.

At the Sequim Skate Park’s Oct. 6 contest, winners in the Advanced age 15-19 group include, from left, Cannon Cummings of Agnew taking first, Caleb Wright of California in second, and Riley Cosmo of Sequim third. In total, 200 people participated in the event to support the remodel of the Sequim Skate Park. Photo courtesy of Mark Simpson

At the Sequim Skate Park’s Oct. 6 contest, winners in the Advanced age 15-19 group include, from left, Cannon Cummings of Agnew taking first, Caleb Wright of California in second, and Riley Cosmo of Sequim third. In total, 200 people participated in the event to support the remodel of the Sequim Skate Park. Photo courtesy of Mark Simpson

Leaders with the Sequim Youth Skatepark Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, have raised more than $11,000 to build a new skatepark in Carrie Blake Community Park. Photo courtesy of Mark Simpson

Leaders with the Sequim Youth Skatepark Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, have raised more than $11,000 to build a new skatepark in Carrie Blake Community Park. Photo courtesy of Mark Simpson

Suzy Killins of Rockin’ Rocks helps clean up the Sequim Civic Center Plaza on Oct. 27 after another successful season for the Sequim Farmers Market. Photo courtesy of Elli Rose

Suzy Killins of Rockin’ Rocks helps clean up the Sequim Civic Center Plaza on Oct. 27 after another successful season for the Sequim Farmers Market. Photo courtesy of Elli Rose