Welcome… and a fond farewell
A few weeks ago one of our musicians was sick and unable to perform. At intermission, a concerned audience member asked me if she had left the Oregon Symphony, and I was able to reassure her that the absence was only temporary. But that conversation brought home to me how many of you recognize the members of the orchestra, care about their well-being and notice when they are missing.
So here’s a report on recent changes …
Over the past couple of seasons we’ve welcomed seven new musicians: David Buck, principal flute; Martin Hebert, principal oboe; Leah Ilem, viola; Jun Iwasaki, concertmaster; Evan Kuhlmann, bassoon/contrabassoon; Charles Reneau, bass trombone; and Jeffrey Work, principal trumpet. And we have three more starting in the fall: Mark Dubac, clarinet; Alicia Paulsen, flute; and Alicia Waite, French horn. Auditions for another horn player will take place this month, and there will be more auditions next year.
The audition process is highly competitive: Alicia Paulsen, for example, was chosen from among 68 candidates. The musicians who apply to join the Oregon Symphony come to us from many different backgrounds. Some were all recent graduates; others held positions in smaller orchestras; and Alicia Paulsen and Jeffrey Work both had busy careers as free-lancers in Boston. The Oregon Symphony is well-known to musicians as a superb orchestra with a great music director – and the fact that we’re based in one of America’s loveliest and most-envied cities doesn’t hurt, either!
Our high level of musicianship means that when a player is sick and has to be temporarily replaced, we must find someone who can play at our standards. Fortunately the Portland region is home to a number of very fine free-lance musicians, and we’re glad to make use of their services whenever we can.
Finally, the musicians of the Oregon Symphony have their own web site, which you can find at www.concertgoersguide.org. The site is well worth exploring; there’s a wealth of information and observations about our musicians, the music, how an orchestra works and their work in the community. We’ve started to advertise upcoming events that feature smaller ensembles of our players in our program books, and we will expand on that next season.
Our thanks to everyone who cares when a player is absent, notices a new face or lets us know when they recognize a particularly fine performance. We pass on your comments, and they are always appreciated by the musicians.Sincerely,
Elaine Calder
President
