‘A huge private lesson’
Side by Side program pairs amateur musicians with orchestra’s pros
The more that Rossen Milanov said, the better Emma Schlosser felt.
On a recent Wednesday night, Schlosser sat nervously onstage at the Ohio Theatre, a participant in the Columbus Symphony's annual Side by Side program, in which the symphony invites 50 amateur musicians to join its members for a rehearsal.
Schlosser, 28, hadn't played her bassoon seriously since graduating from Otterbein University in 2011.
“I’m sitting here with a professional conductor and professional musicians, and I was worried I wouldn’t know what I was doing,” said Schlosser, a West Side resident.
Promptly at 7 p.m., Milanov, the orchestra
music director, stepped on the podium. Dressed casually, he smiled, welcomed everyone, and explained his philosophy of what should happen during the next 2 ½ hours.
“It’s all about bringing the music alive,” he said. “If we’re not 100 percent technically perfect, that’s quite all right. As long as we play with heart, we will bring the music alive tonight.”
The words put Schlosser at ease.
“I thought he was fantastic,” she said. “He was quite funny and really positive. The whole experience was wonderful.”
Side by Side was introduced in 2014. Jeani Stahler, director of education for the symphony, had heard the idea discussed in a staff meeting and pushed the orchestra to start it.
Associate conductor Peter Stafford Wilson conducted the inaugural program.
To participate, an amateur must be at least 25 years old, able to read music and proficient on an instrument used in the orchestra.
The accepted musicians pay $100 to participate and are paired with an orchestra member. The idea is for the amateur to learn from the professional partner.
Fifty is the maximum number of amateurs who can participate. Stahler said that each year, about 65 people Felicia Dellis, guided by professional timpani player Ben Ramirez
apply and 50 have been accepted. This year, four amateur musicians had last-minute conflicts or illnesses, so 46 participated.
The money raised from the program goes toward theater rental and refreshments, as well as paying stage hands and the several non-full time symphony musicians who typically participate. (The symphony has 46 full-time members.)
The program represents the type of outreach that Milanov has been pushing since he was hired in September 2014. Shortly after that, he said his plan was to make the symphony "more accessible and viable" to different parts of the community.
“To us, it is a great privilege and responsibility to provide community participation,” Milanov said. “This provides a handson chance for people to get close to professional musicians and participate in the creative process."
Typically, the musicians who apply played an instrument in high school, college or both and then went on to another career. Many
play in community orchestras and view the Side by Side program as a chance to push themselves.
New Albany resident Nicholas Stevens played trumpet in the Ohio State University Marching Band before enrolling in medical school. He now is a pediatrician and plays in the New Albany Symphony Orchestra. This year marked his third with the Side by Side program.
“You can take lessons, play at home or play with a recording," said Stevens, 45, "but to sit in with an orchestra, in front of a maestro and next to great players, it’s a unique experience."
Emmeline Wharton of Caldwell, Ohio, in Noble County has participated all four years. She works in the information-technology business and plays violin in the Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra.
“It’s like a huge private lesson,” said Wharton, 42. “I look around a lot (during the program), and I see where they (the pros) put their bows and things like that. They are so friendly and helpful.”
Several of the professional musicians said they are always impressed by the amateurs’ talent. And they, too, get something out of the collaboration.
“When we have community members come in, seeing their enthusiasm and pure joy at playing with us, it makes us realize how blessed we are,” said Betsy Sturdevant, the orchestra’s principal bassoonist.
“When you do this for a living, you start to think of it as a job. It is hard work, but Side by Side helps remind us why we chose this career.”
This year, Sturdevant was paired with Schlosser, a music teacher at West Mound Elementary and the Columbus Gifted Academy.
The Columbus City Schools paid for Schlosser and four other teachers to participate as part of their professional development.
Schlosser and the others worked on five pieces with Milanov, who stopped often to provide instruction and encouragement.
The evening was capped by a quick runthrough “concert” for the 50 or so people in the audience. (Family and friends were invited to watch free.)
Afterward, Schlosser felt good about her performance.
“I played better and kept up more than I thought I would,” she said. “I’m very grateful that I decided to do this.”