Dorothy Lee
Viola
Member Since 2013
I’m a product of San Francisco Unified School District where music was freely enjoyed by any students who wanted to play. I recall receiving a perfectly sized instrument, a birthday gift from my dad. I was 10 and wasn’t able to manage the full-size family instrument which I will be playing in the violin section for this concert. By the time I managed to “master” the middle school repertoire, I was quite pleased to have joined the Lowell High School Orchestra with Jack Pereira. Surprise! Most all of the students had been taking private lessons and really applied themselves, practicing daily and mastering the repertoire for their instruments and were so able to tackle the works Pereira had chosen: Prokoviev Romeo & Juliet, Scherherezade, Overture to Candide, Firebird Suite, Mahler First! I continued to enjoy the orchestral repertoire through college and beyond but it was while playing second violin in a quartet that had my heart yearning to play that wonderful inner voice to my left, the viola!
I had actually played under Marty’s baton a few years back when she was guest conducting with a community orchestra. I was most impressed by her professionalism, leadership, and the keen ability to relate to people and embrace each player and their abilities. The OCO is where one comes to debrief after work. It’s a place to meet friends and kind souls who share a love of making music. It’s where we come to escape the news or relief from the commute to arrive in time so as to not miss one moment of sharing with others. We all come to create something to share with those who listen and receive our collective music love and joy. It’s the most sane thing I do each week!
I have a day job teaching first grade at Corpus Christi School and I am on the faculty of the Holy Names University Preparatory Music program where I give lessons and lead beginning string classes. I also have a private studio of violin students and play in the Holy Names Orchestra. By the time we reach Wednesdays, there are times I could easily tell myself I’m not needed, it’s a big group, I’m too tired, I haven’t practiced enough, there will be no parking... On the other hand, I would so miss the chance to grow musically, to have the most professional experience one could have being an amateur musician, and I’d miss seeing the great colleagues of the orchestra!
When something is vital, you make room for it! I come away after performing and there are guests in the audience who are thrilled to hear such beautiful music in an awesome setting, and they come to cheer me on! This is truly a community.
Viola
Member Since 2013
I’m a product of San Francisco Unified School District where music was freely enjoyed by any students who wanted to play. I recall receiving a perfectly sized instrument, a birthday gift from my dad. I was 10 and wasn’t able to manage the full-size family instrument which I will be playing in the violin section for this concert. By the time I managed to “master” the middle school repertoire, I was quite pleased to have joined the Lowell High School Orchestra with Jack Pereira. Surprise! Most all of the students had been taking private lessons and really applied themselves, practicing daily and mastering the repertoire for their instruments and were so able to tackle the works Pereira had chosen: Prokoviev Romeo & Juliet, Scherherezade, Overture to Candide, Firebird Suite, Mahler First! I continued to enjoy the orchestral repertoire through college and beyond but it was while playing second violin in a quartet that had my heart yearning to play that wonderful inner voice to my left, the viola!
I had actually played under Marty’s baton a few years back when she was guest conducting with a community orchestra. I was most impressed by her professionalism, leadership, and the keen ability to relate to people and embrace each player and their abilities. The OCO is where one comes to debrief after work. It’s a place to meet friends and kind souls who share a love of making music. It’s where we come to escape the news or relief from the commute to arrive in time so as to not miss one moment of sharing with others. We all come to create something to share with those who listen and receive our collective music love and joy. It’s the most sane thing I do each week!
I have a day job teaching first grade at Corpus Christi School and I am on the faculty of the Holy Names University Preparatory Music program where I give lessons and lead beginning string classes. I also have a private studio of violin students and play in the Holy Names Orchestra. By the time we reach Wednesdays, there are times I could easily tell myself I’m not needed, it’s a big group, I’m too tired, I haven’t practiced enough, there will be no parking... On the other hand, I would so miss the chance to grow musically, to have the most professional experience one could have being an amateur musician, and I’d miss seeing the great colleagues of the orchestra!
When something is vital, you make room for it! I come away after performing and there are guests in the audience who are thrilled to hear such beautiful music in an awesome setting, and they come to cheer me on! This is truly a community.