Well, with the last titanic chords of Mahler’s Seventh Symphony ringing across the expanses of the Salem Armory Auditorium, my 10th season with the Oregon Symphony came to a close. For three of my colleagues, it marked their final seasons with the orchestra, and after a stupendous amount of seasons, I must say! Frederick Korman was our principal oboe for the last 28 years, Fred Sautter our principal trumpet for 38 years, and Patricia Miller served in our viola section for an incredible 55 years! They have been an invaluable part of the fabric of our institution for many decades, and deserve accolades and recognition for their contributions and achievements.
Next season, we’ll have a new principal flute, oboe, and trumpet – three of the most important positions in the orchestra. We’ve enjoyed two years already with our excellent concertmaster, Amy Schwartz Moretti, and look forward to many more. The rate of change is dizzying, and will require some adjustment – the most pressing of which for me is easing my way from the ranks of the “young and new” orchestra members firmly into the range of “middle fart” – not quite to old fart, but getting there!
More later…