Musings

A Personal Connection to A Strike

orchestra

I’ll be honest.

I wasn’t planning on writing about this or voicing my thoughts. But when I started to think more about the Pittsburgh Symphony musicians going on strike, I really started to think past the administration, past the politics, and began to think about the actual lives that make up the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

  • There’s Peter Sullivan – the man who got me to Pittsburgh as a result of traveling out there for personal lessons and then becoming a student of his at Carnegie Mellon University.
  • There’s Jim Nova – whose playing on multiple trombones is an inspiration.
  • There’s Becky Cherian – some of the most beautiful playing on the trombone AND a true pioneer for women brass players.
  • There’s George (aka, “Mr.”) Vosburgh – whose Monday morning Brass Lit class was just downright intense. But you powered through it. And it made you a better musician.
  • There’s Neal Berntsen – who being under his tutelage for brass quintet coaching really shaped my thinking in chamber ensembles
  • There’s Chad Winkler – who by watching him be a man of faith and an excellent musician motivates me to strive for the same – excellence in faith and music
  • There’s Bill Caballero – who is just a darn good horn player (listen to the recent Mahlers and Tchaiks)!
  • There’s Craig Knox – who is the epitome of a low-end player who has strengthened my knowledge as a low brass player

And this is just members of the brass section!

When I think of Anne Martindale Williams, Christopher Wu, Robert Lauver, Nancy Goeres, Michael Rusinek, Cynthia Koletho DeAlmeida, Jeremy Branson, Micah Howard, Jeff Turner, and Louis Lev – the reason I know these names from memory is because THEY impacted ME as a musician. Carnegie Mellon has such a unique way of interacting so many world-class musicians with eager students wanting to make a difference in the world through music. Then when you attend concert on a weekly basis, you start to watch who these people are and you see their interaction with the music. Being the Orchestra Manager for two years at CMU, you learn about these people in a way that goes beyond music. The inspiring stories from fellow classmates about ways these professionals want to give back to Art is something that I wish all walks of life and society would understand.

Then I think about the orchestra’s new members, such as Jeff Dee. Here is a guy who has joined the ranks of an A-level orchestra THIS season, only to see that due to administration issues, his orchestra has to go on strike.

But…

Do not fret. Do not worry. Even though this orchestra’s last strike was in 1975, it has had its struggles of tough times. Each time a roadblock has occurred, this orchestra has been able to prove time and again that it is a VITAL part of its city, and a VITAL part of the industry. I believe in these Steel City Musicians. I truly believe that the new administration will realize the extreme value this orchestra gives to the area, and will work together to continue this grand tradition.

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Yes, this may have been an emotionally driven post, but when I start to look at this picture above of this large group who work together in relentless pursuit of one common goal, I begin to think of the personal stories and interactions that I have had with them. People with families, homes, and futures.

Please, administration, know that these musicians are impacting lives all around the world.

Godspeed, Musicians of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra!

Be the Steel Musicians that You Are.

Last Row Music Supports the PSO Musicians!

 

Jeremy Smith

Jeremy E. Smith is the Founder and Editor of Last Row Music. He received music degrees from Grace College, Carnegie Mellon University, and The Ohio State University. Currently, Jeremy is the bass trombonist of the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, the Huntington Symphony Orchestra, and performs throughout Ohio, where he lives with his wife and two sons. Smith is a member of the International Trombone Association and the Jazz Journalists Association.

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