“I began playing in 5th grade, which means I’ve been playing about 64 years. I loved being in the symphony because I was part of a caring, well-run organization – actually, it’s being part of a family you love and care about. And the feeling of doing something others enjoy and appreciate; of playing in, being surrounded by and immersed in the sound of a performance or rehearsal.

Retiring from this organization is one of the hardest decisions I’ve made. I wish it could go on much longer, but it’s an appropriate time. I have hope and confidence the staff, audience and larger community will continue to support this fine organization.

To recall memories–more for my benefit than for a history of the RSO– I remember being at the Chatfield stage when I was in junior and senior high school. Our high school (Spring Grove, MN) would play for band contests. When I played in the band at Luther College, I never had the opportunity to play in a symphony setting with only two or three flutes (instead of like 12). About two years after my graduation in 1970, I began to realize I really missed playing.

I tried playing with local groups (like the Chatfield Brass Band) and eventually learned of auditions for the symphony. I was able to meet the existing 2nd chair flutist (who I learned would be retiring). I can recall seeing Anne Judish singing in a stage performance of Tosca during this time. My first recollection of a performance was Tchaikovsky’s 5th symphony.

At the start, I played 2nd flute, but a time came where a decision had to be made about which of us would play 3rd with piccolo vs 2nd. Because I had a young family and thought the 3rd flute/piccolo would be less demanding time-wise, I offered to take the 3rd. I grew to like doing piccolo even though there were times when I wasn’t part of a concert performance.

I want to thank the entire Rochester Symphony staff, board and audience participants for the support each of you have given me over the years. It’s hard to say something meaningful to show my appreciation, but here goes …

When I first auditioned for the Rochester symphony, I didn’t really expect to become part of a symphony orchestra or be able to participate in the many performances over the years. In fact, I was just looking for a venue to be able to play my flute. It’s a tribute to the hard work, dedication and tremendous efforts of everyone who has kept the symphony vibrant and “alive” that allowed me to feel part of this family. I’m happy to have been able to observe the growth of this organization through exciting (but sometimes difficult) times. But I can now reflect on how important music has been to my well-being–but also, I think, to the well-being of our regional community.”

“I love that Southeastern Minnesota is able to sustain an orchestra of this caliber. For me, there are so many musical moments. One that stands out was during a performance many years ago of Lizst’s “Les Preludes.” Near the beginning is a maestoso statement of the main theme of “Les Asters.” The trumpets, horns, and woodwinds play a chorale over a low brass countermelody and string arpeggios. Everyone was “on their game” that night and the orchestra sounded fabulous. I was enjoying it so much that I almost stopped playing just to listen!

More broadly, I’m grateful to have been a part of groups that commissioned new works for Rochester Symphony. I will miss making music with my friends and performing for the community.

Thanks to everyone involved with Rochester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale. And a special thanks to Bruce and Vikki Wolff for supporting my chair all these years–and more importantly, your friendship. Your two are the best!”

“I started playing flute in the 5^th grade, which means I’ve been playing for 60 years.

Being part of Rochester Symphony for so long—I loved being part of a team doing something extraordinary together, each musician playing their part. Imagine the combined millions of hours invested by the orchestra members to master their instruments, then to interpret the complex symbols on a page of music and synchronize with each other to produce music that transport us to another dimension. Simply amazing.

I was deeply involved in three years of negotiations with the City of Rochester concerning the future of the Rochester Symphony. In 1996, the orchestra musicians voted to become independent from the city and we started planning the 1996-1997 season with no resources other than our musicians and Music Director, Jere Lantz—no staff, no music library, no rehearsal or concert space, not even music stands. I was the first president of the RSOC Board of Directors. It was a huge challenge, but we produced a full season of concerts and ended that   first independent year financially in the black. I later became the first Executive Director for the organization.

I will most miss my many friends in the orchestra. (I will also miss the magical moments of being part of a perfectly tuned chord.)

It is my great hope that Rochester will one day have a true concert hall. The Rochester Symphony and the many other fine music organizations deserve a venue that enhances the music and their patrons’ concert-going experience.”

“I joined the Rochester Symphony in 1977 under the baton of Ron Stoffel and have played most of the seasons since, though I took a few seasons off in the early 90s when our children were young.

I started playing violin at the age of ten and have been performing, teaching and conducting youth orchestras ever since.

I think my favorite thing about being in the Symphony has been the experience of making music together with a wonderful community of people who care passionately about bringing music alive. And that is what I will miss the most—all these lifelong friends.

It’s hard to think of a single or a few favorite memories because my years with the Symphony have been filled with too many to count. But I do remember one special concert that was magic for me and all the players on stage. And the magic happened during the Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings in February of 2019. It was the last half of the concert, and, for once, we had plenty of room onstage for the chamber orchestra and plenty of lighting, and it was neither too cold nor too hot. Everything was perfect. And when we played, it was like we were one instrument. There was not even an inkling of a shiver of fear, and we all knew we had each other’s backs at every moment. It was only pure musicmaking. As we left the stage, we all looked into each other’s eyes, speechless from the moment and feeling the same thing—that we had never experienced such perfection. For me, it was true ecstasy, and I will never forget it.

It has been a wonderful ride with the symphony and a joy also to be able to experience it from the inside out, both as a player and as the wife of Jere Lantz. The Symphony brought to me a musical home and a life partner, for which I am so grateful. It has truly been a magical journey we’ve had together.

I have come to know the staff and board of the Symphony as people of matchless integrity and dedication to our art. I’ll always be so grateful for what they did and continue to do.

What a gift Rochester Symphony is to the people who make the music as well as the people who listen.”