The Columbus Symphony Orchestra will perform music by Beethoven at Saturday’s concert.
This concert doesn’t have a guest artist, said Becky Young, the public relations manager.
“Every year, George (Del Gobbo, the orchestra’s conductor and music director), does a concert or two without a guest artist. Something he’s trying to do is a brief live commentary and musical examples. He tries to do a little bit of education from the stage.”
Without a guest artist, we had an opportunity to talk to a few musicians in the orchestra.
Sarah Park: Violist
Age: 26
Education: Cleveland Institute of Music, bachelor of music
Previous jobs: None, other than music-related jobs
Family: Two older sisters who are also string players, Maltese named Mi Nahm
Hobbies: Playing chess and video games
How long have you played with the CSO?
Three years.
What made you decide to audition here?
The pleasant working environment of the Columbus Symphony encouraged me to audition for the principal viola position. I enjoy making music with my colleagues and friends, and working with George (Del Gobbo, Conductor and music director) is such a pleasure. Plus, the hall is absolutely gorgeous.
What is your favorite piece of music that you played here?
Probably Shostakovich’s “11th Symphony.” It’s such a powerful and raw work of literature, and the orchestra really rocked out for that performance. I had a really great time playing that night. It was totally like heavy metal, except with an early 20th century, oppressive, sarcastic and gnarled twist to it.
What was your most memorable moment here?
Most likely the Shostakovich “11” and Mahler’s “Symphony No. 10” performance in January of 2010. Not only was it a blast playing such amazing repertoire, but it was also the first time my family had seen me perform in a few years.
What is it like to play with a guest artist?
It can be a wonderful learning experience watching a very skilled musician perform with us. I usually enjoy playing with a guest artist. Playing with a soloist is proof that just one person can completely change the sound and the vibe of the entire group. Do you prefer to play as an orchestra without a guest artist? No, not necessarily. To me, it’s not really a matter of preference. I tend to like it all
Jim Zellers: Flautist
Age: 49
Education: Bachelor of music performance in flute, Indiana University-South Bend, Ind.; Master of music performance in flute, Indiana University-Bloomington; Doctor of Musical Arts, The Juilliard School.
Previous jobs: Principal flute, Atlanta Opera Orchestra; principal flute, Augusta Symphony Orchestra; second flute, Greenville (S.C.) Symphony; piccolo, Alabama Symphony Orchestra; acting principal flute, Florida Orchestra.
Family: Partner of 10 years, Jim Devlin; stepdaughter, Erin Devlin; three canine children, Australian shepherds, Oakley, 14; Finn, eight months and Cooper five months.
Hobbies: Owner/trainer/handler of Australian shepherds in conformation, obedience and agility competitions.
How long have you played with the CSO?
Since 2001.
What made you decide to audition here?
I was moving back from Florida and was encouraged to audition by CSO’s principal oboist at the time, Russ DeLuna.
What is your favorite piece of music that you played here?
I don’t have a favorite piece per se, but my favorite pieces to play with the CSO are always any Brahms symphony.
What was your most memorable moment here?
Being the soloist on the concert when the CSO opened the newly built Bill Heard Theatre. I was playing the Lucas Foss “Renaissance Concerto,” and the house was literally packed to capacity ... Not to hear me, but to hear the first orchestra concert in Bill Heard Theatre. I don’t think I have ever seen the hall as full as it was that night -- a thrilling experience to play to that large of an audience with such a wonderful concerto.
What is it like to play with a guest artist?
Recreating a great concerto with a world-class artist can be a wonderful experience if the soloist is really collaborating with the orchestra, for example, taking into consideration the musicians of the CSO and making music with each of them in a 50/50 give and take. If the artist is only interested in having the orchestra “follow” them without any sense of collaboration, this is not only a chore, it can be a completely negative experience.
Do you prefer to play as an orchestra without a guest artist?
For the orchestra to be featured alone and/or to showcase the talent within its own ranks is wonderful to do not only for the musicians themselves -- to really be able to step forward and show their artistry not only as individuals, but how they can be a fantastic group of musicians working together -- but also for the audience to have a real sense of pride in their hometown orchestra, since this kind of concert showcases how special the Columbus Symphony is on its own. Of course, if the CSO only played this type of concert, we (the players as well as listeners) would miss out on some of the most beautiful music written in the form of concertos -- so a variety of concert types is always best to keep concert-goers interested and coming back for more.
Kerren Berz: Violinist
Age: Not old enough to know better
Education: Degrees from Florida State University and the University of Tennessee/Chattanooga, with additional studies at Boston University.
Previous jobs: “When music is your chosen profession, you have a lot of ‘other’ jobs. Some ‘others’ included dealing blackjack for an event agency (a poor choice, given my math skills), delivering phone books, working in a vegetarian restaurant, assistant comptroller for the Boston Urban League (again, poor choice for the math challenged), and several years working at Record Bar stores (a clue to my age.)”
Family: “I have two sons, ages 10 and 7. I love many things about them, not the least being that, if you tell them a joke, they are now old enough to get it without protracted explanation.”
Hobbies: Reading, gardening, cooking, music, movies
How long have you played with the CSO?
In some capacity, since I moved to Atlanta in 1991, so about 20 years.
What made you decide to audition here?
The truth? It was close to Atlanta. The real question: why did I stay? Very easy -- because the level of musicianship and musical integrity is so high in Columbus, compared to other places I could spend my time.
What is your favorite piece of music that you played here?
There are certainly a lot of favorites: Brahms’ symphonies, Prokofiev’s symphonies and concertos, Bach’s Brandenburg concertos, Mahler’s symphonies. In November, we are playing the Copland “Clarinet Concerto” with our fabulous principal clarinetist David Odum. That is a favorite. I have really enjoyed introducing new music to our audiences. Many times, it is new to me, too. I always hope that we present it in a way that sparks the audience and maybe creates a new favorite piece.
What was your most memorable moment here?
Playing for the first time on the Bill Heard Theatre stage -- incredibly exciting. I think high on that list also would be performing with Tony Bennett in our old hall on Talbotton Road. He was pure class and sang on that old, musty stage as if he were at Carnegie Hall. I’ll never forget Tony Bennett in his tux, standing in line backstage to use the one bathroom.
What is it like to play with a guest artist?
I enjoy accompanying a guest artist. You have to know when to lay low to showcase the soloist, when to join in for more of a duet between the orchestra and soloist and when to take over from the soloist. There are some performers who are so dynamic and talented. You feel that spark, that energy, which I’m sure the audience feels as well. Rock concert or Columbus Symphony concert, it’s the same synchronicity.
Do you prefer to play as an orchestra without a guest artist?
Well, it certainly puts the colors and combinations of the orchestra more front and center (without a guest artist).
David Morris: Timpanist
Age: 58
Education: Bachelor of science in music education, master of music performance, Ph.D. music performance, theory, literature
Work experience, current and previous: Professor of music, Valdosta State University; currently, principal timpanist, Macon Symphony, Columbus Symphony, Valdosta Symphony; past work as principal timpanist, Ocala Symphony and Asheville Symphony; past associate professor of music, Limestone College; past band director, East Rowan High School.
Family: Wife, Nancy Morris, elementary music teacher, son, Andrew Morris, musician, music teacher; daughter, Rebecca Morris, majoring in theater at Valdosta State University.
Hobbies: Camping.
How long have you played with the CSO?
Since September 2004.
What made you decide to audition here?
Because I had heard very positive things about the orchestra and George Del Gobbo. Working with George is very rewarding for me.
What is your favorite piece of music that you played here?
“Rite of Spring” by Stravinsky.
What was your most memorable moment here?
The performance of Shostakovich’s “Symphony Number 11.”
What is it like to play with a guest artist?
It’s a wonderful experience.
Do you prefer to play as an orchestra without a guest artist?
No preference, I enjoy both.
