Discovering The Mature Lifestyle
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Arts
April 16, 2015
April Issue
Bloomington Symphony Orchestra concludes 52nd season BY SUE WEBBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER Anne Cheney recalls that Doc Evans was directing the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra when she joined the group in the early 1970s. “I knew they needed a piccolo player,” said Cheney, a Minneapolis resident whose husband, Stuart Mitchell, plays oboe in the orchestra. “We play wonderful music, and the musicians are so accomplished,” Cheney said. ”Our performances are so exciting.” She has found the Bloomington musicians to be “a rather welcoming orchestra. We’re always happy to have new people,” Cheney said. Cheney’s lifetime career prior to retirement was working as a financial officer for nonprofits. But, she has been playing flute and piccolo since she was in third grade. “Classical music is a big part of my life,” Cheney said. “When I’m not playing it, I’m listening to it. We’re culture vultures at our house.” The orchestra was founded in 1963 by the city of Bloomington to provide orchestral music for Bloomington’s citizens and as an organization where area instrumentalists could develop their musical skills. The 70-member group, concluding its 52nd season this month, is made up of volunteer adult amateur, semi-professional and professional musicians from all around the metro area. Many of the members who are professionals also enjoy playing music in their spare time. “Music has always been a part of my life,” said Elizabeth Evans of St. Paul, a 17-year string instrument member of the orchestra. “I started with piano at five and learned strings in elementary school in order to play in the school orchestra.” Music wasn’t her career, however. Evans, whose degree is in biochemistry, worked in research for pharmaceutical companies. She was playing in a string quartet that included members of the orchestra when they suggested that she
audition for the Bloomington orchestra. “The opportunity to play large orchestral works with our current conductor is so amazing,” said Evans, who estimates she spends 16-20 hours a week on music. “I love the challenge of learning difficult music and playing a good concert.” Greg Granum, a 37-year Bloomington resident and member of the orchestra for 15 years, said he played viola up through high school and then set it aside when he went to college to study engineering. “That’s not the right way to do it,” Granum said. “If you want to play in your old age, you should keep it up.” He noted that good friendships develop among the musicians and have endured through the years. The group no longer has charter members who are still playing. But there are charter members who still attend every concert and contribute generously to the organization, according to General Manager Sara Tan. The Bloomington Symphony appointed Manny Laureano the Music Director and Conductor in April 2013. Laureano has been principal trumpeter with the Minnesota Orchestra for 34 years. A resident of Plymouth, Laureano said he began his musical career as a 12-year-old junior high student in New York City. “I have always known about the great Bloomington Symphony and had my first experience with them when then-music director Cheng Chau asked me to substitute for him for a rehearsal,” Laureano said. “That summer I was contacted by Laurie Maiser, then board chair, wondering whether I would care to be the next music director of the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra.” Laureano said he enjoys “the moments when I have a new concept in an interpretation and after working very hard to get everyone to understand and execute it as I hear it in my head.” It’s hard to estimate how much time he spends on music each week, Laureano said. “The first few weeks are the hardest because it’s when I spend the most time understanding the pieces so that I can relay a clear idea to my
Elizabeth Evans is a 17-year string instrument member of the orchestra. (Submitted photo by Leslie Plesser) musicians,” he said. Laureano has worked with a variety of ensembles in ORCHESTRA - TO PAGE 4