When I moved to Oak Park in 1972, I was delighted to discover that there was an orchestra here. I had been out of college for 11 years and had stopped playing the violin almost completely. I dusted off my fiddle and began attending weekly rehearsals. My main goal was merely to keep up during rehearsals! Another goal was to begin a routine of daily practice in order to learn to play the music as well as I possibly could.
If you were to ask me, “What’s it like to play in an orchestra?” I would say it’s been one of the most thrilling parts of my life. At rehearsals, under the guidance of the conductor, I have learned the subtleties of making music, not only playing the notes, but delving into the meaning and expressiveness of the music. And I have learned how important it is to contribute to the group musically by listening to everyone and blending in.
I love being surrounded by sound. It’s much better than the best sound system! I love the sounds of the different instruments, and I sit back and drink in the beautiful sound of a solo trumpet, for example, or virtuosic timpanist. I enjoy contributing my own emotions and skill to the music.
As I look around the orchestra, I feel a warm glow because many of my original colleagues are still playing. In addition, we have lots of new, young players, which adds to the energy of the group.
Our concerts have been highly satisfying. We can see and feel the appreciation of our friends and neighbors. We know that we contribute to the cultural life of this community.
This season will be the 85th for our orchestra. It’s something to be proud of. Gladys Welge, a professional violinist and conductor, founded the orchestra in 1931and the orchestra has played every year since then.
Our first concert of the season, titled “Heroic Beethoven,” is this Sunday. We will play the “Eroica” Symphony by Beethoven, one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, and Beethoven’s “Emperor” Piano Concerto, with the virtuoso pianist, Winston Choi.
We are looking forward to Riccardo Muti’s visit to our rehearsal on Oct. 12. This great musician, the world-class conductor of the Chicago Symphony, will sit in for the fourth year in a row. When he takes the baton, magic happens! We are so fortunate that he likes to work with us, out of the goodness of his heart and because of his friendship with our conductor, Jay Friedman, principal trombone with the Chicago Symphony.
We are also looking forward to an extra concert in February: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony with chorus and soloists. Everyone knows and loves this “Ode to Joy.” Not to brag, but Maestro Muti was in the audience at Concordia the last time we played it, and he gave us a “thumbs up.”
The Symphony concert begins at 4 p.m. with a pre-concert conversation at 3 p.m., Lund Auditorium, Dominican University Performing Arts Center, 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. Tickets are $28. Visit SymphonyOPRF.com to purchase tickets. Students through college are free.
Elizabeth Rexford, a longtime Oak Park resident, was a general music teacher in District 97 until she retired in 2003. She’s been playing with the orchestra from 1973 to the present. From 1983 to 1994, she was the orchestra’s personnel manager. Her biography of symphony founder Gladys Welge was included in Women Building Chicago, 1790-1990, by Indiana University Press. For the orchestra’s 75th anniversary, she wrote a short history, published as a booklet and available by request. It can also be seen online at http://www.symphonyoprf.com.