We asked Michael about his years with FVSO and the anticipation for his upcoming performance.
Tell us about your time with FVSO. How long have you been with us?
I joined the Fox Valley Symphony in the fall of 2000, so this concert will be the start of my 26th season with the orchestra; and what a way to kick off the season by getting the opportunity to be the guest soloist!
What are some of your biggest memories with FVSO?
There are so many to choose from! Technically, this will be my third time soloing with the orchestra. In 2015, I performed the Telemann Trumpet Concerto in D, and it was a wonderful event: the first time I was able to solo in the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, and three family members were part of the orchestra with me that evening: my wife, Laura (Principal Cellist of FVSO), my daughter, Kayla (violin), and my mother-in-law, Carol (harpsichord)
The other solo opportunity I had with the orchestra was my first season on the holiday concert at Picard Auditorium in Neenah. "Ding Dong Merrily on High" was the piece, but more importantly than the solo opportunity was the fact that several days after the concert I received a hand drawn picture of me playing the trumpet from a young girl who had attended the concert. She brought it to the FVSO office and asked that I get the drawing. That sticks with me still today because I’ve never thought of myself as a role model, but I certainly seemed to make an impression for that young girl that evening.
Other memories include an outstanding performance of the Elgar Cello Concerto by Laura, and the opportunity to perform so many great pieces of the classical literature: Mahler, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Strauss … and the list goes on!
Why did you pick the Haydn to perform?
The Haydn Trumpet Concerto is truly a staple of the trumpet solo repertoire. As such, I’ve played the first page of the piece many times as part of auditions for various groups. But that limits you from really getting to know the piece as a whole. I performed the Concerto 20 years ago with the Manitowoc Symphony, and I’m excited to get the chance to perform it again with the FVSO. I’ve grown a lot as a musician and a trumpet player over the past 20 years, and my approach to and study of the piece this time around has brought some new discoveries. The piece is very well crafted, has some very beautiful moments, and some playful ones as well.
We’re excited to have Marty’s piece on the program too.
It is a great honor for me to perform Marty’s piece with the orchestra. Marty and I have known each other for 35 years, and I’m excited to share his piece and his music with the audience.
Evensong was originally written for saxophone quartet and trumpet. In 2014 Laura was taking a small string orchestra of students from her school on a tour of Italy, and we asked Marty if he had any pieces for trumpet and strings. He didn’t, but said he could reorchestrate Evensong for strings and trumpet. Laura’s group and I performed the piece on several concerts in Rome, and when Kevin and I agreed upon me playing the Haydn, I asked if it would also be possible to perform Marty’s piece as well.
Evensong is inspired by the tradition of Christian evening prayers. The peaceful melodic lines are presented in an introspective and reflective manner.
Thank you to Kevin and the FVSO for this opportunity, and to my friends and colleagues in the orchestra who have helped make the memories over the past 25 years. Thank you to my friends outside of the orchestra for your continued support of my musical passion.
And, a huge thank you to my family: Laura, Kayla, Dylan, and Nolan, for your never-ending love and support and for understanding over the years every time I’ve said, “I’ve got to go practice.”
Come and enjoy Michael's performance at 7:30pm at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center on September 20. Pre-concert talk starts at 6:40pm and there is a free post-concert reception after the concert for everyone.
