PSO Still Spreading the Sweet Sound of Music

PSO Still Spreading the Sweet Sound of Music

PSO Director of Music and Conductor Glenn Quader.

By Leonard Shapiro

Glenn Quader’s 15th year as director of music for the Fauquier County-based Piedmont Symphony Orchestra (PSO) clearly has been the most challenging of his career. This gifted conductor and his dedicated players keep making music, sweet classical music, despite countless pandemic-produced obstacles.

It has not always been easy.

For starters, a live audience has been nowhere to be seen since their last concert more than a year ago.

Because wind instruments have the potential to spread the Covid-19 virus, until recently trumpets, trombones and saxophones, among others, have been ruled off the stage and out of the musical mix.

Since their main concert venue at Highland School in Warrenton has been temporarily closed, they practice for what now are live streamed and recorded concerts in a far smaller space at Buchanan Hall in Upperville. They’ve also had to leave behind larger percussive instruments and other heavy equipment at Highland.

“This last year has been all about adapting,” Quader said. “It’s also learning how to land on our feet and make it work.”

Clearly, Quader and his talented players remain upright, and the PSO keeps offering inspiring music for its faithful followers. Buchanan Hall essentially has become one big recording studio, as well as the symphony’s rehearsal hall.

Said PSO president Ernie Hueter, “I’m very proud of how we’ve handled the past year. Glenn and Kate Garretson, our executive director, kicked into high gear coming up with a live stream series to continue to offer our patrons and the community music from past concerts. While most orchestras have either shut their doors or just closed for last season and this one, Glenn put his creative talents to work and we’ve never stopped.”

This 2020-21 season began in October. The original idea was to have a small audience of 30-40 music-lovers for a mostly Bach event, perhaps sitting at socially distanced tables, with masks mandatory. But there was little interest in buying tickets, for obvious safety concerns.

Instead, the orchestra recorded the program, streamed it live on line and also provided discs of the concert to season ticket holders. It was the same with a December Christmas event featuring Vivaldi, the Nutcracker, and a guest appearance by Warrenton’s popular SilverTones swing band.

The PSO’s Feb. 20 concert, “Rock Unplugged,” should be a lively session that will have that Buchanan joint jumping, even if the audience will have to do their dancing in the comfort of their homes. Better yet, because of somewhat eased restrictions, Quader will have those brassy wind instruments in the orchestra,, along with several vocalists.

Rehearsals have not been easy. Safety regulations dictate they can only practice indoors for 30 minutes, followed by a 10-minute break. Doors and windows are then opened to circulate fresh air before the next 30-minute segment.

Leading up to a live performance,, the orchestra normally has six or seven rehearsals, including a dress rehearsal. These days, because there are fewer players than the normal full 55-musician contingent, they have only three rehearsals before the final recording concert.

“We’re a smaller group,” Quader said, “so we’re able to be more efficient.”

Like many local orchestras also not holding live events, the PSO season ticket sales are down about 50 percent. New subscribers are now being offered all six of the season’s concert recordings when they sign up.

The PSO depends on ticket sales, sponsorships and donations and so far they’re managing to survive. “Financially, it’s been difficult,” Hueter said. “We're grateful to our sponsors who have maintained their support of our efforts to educate and entertain our community. It remains a challenge, but I’m confident with Glenn’s leadership we’ll survive and thrive into 2021 and beyond.”

Quader is cautiously optimistic the PSO may be able to have a live performance by the end of the current season in June.

“But if we have to wait until the fall, so be it,” he said. “Our musicians have been great and we’re all doing the best we can. We’re just trying to hold it all together.”

To sign up for a season subscription and get access to past, present and future concerts, visit www. piedmontsymphony.org.