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Spotlight on
Musicians:
This month's Featured Musician: Jennifer Memoli
by Susan McWade Surapine
Although born and raised in Washington, D.C., Jennifer developed a love of the
ocean while visiting the family summer home near Cape Cod.
While living in Washington D.C., Jennifer played five seasons with the
Washington Opera House Orchestra, as well as regular performances with the
National Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, and the National Chamber Orchestra.
Jennifer began studying the violin at age five and received a degree in violin
performance from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University.
In 2000, Jennifer moved to Massachusetts to be near her family and began
teaching in the Mansfield public schools. She plays with the Rhode Island
Philharmonic, the Ocean State Chamber Orchestra, the Plymouth Symphony, and the
Claflin Hill Chamber Orchestra. Her proximity to the ocean allows her to visit
it often.
To View Archived Musician Spotlights, click Here
Spotlight on Musicians:
This month’s featured musician: Ellen LaBarre
French Horn
Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra and Claflin Hill Summer Winds.
We asked Ellen to write a few words about her experiences with Claflin Hill. In
her own wonderful words, here is her story.
In May, 1997 I had just moved back to Massachusetts from out of state, and I
landed a job at a bank. I had trained for many years as a horn player, and had
gone to both undergraduate and graduate school to be a horn player. However, my
life was taking a different course, as I was preparing to get married. I decided
to take a little break from horn playing. Yet, my name was on a list, and I got
a call from Paul Surapine to play with the Milford Concert Band. At the time, I
didn't think a lot of it. I had played with these kinds of groups before -- the
music wasn't too difficult – some players were okay, others had played in the
group for all their lives, but probably wouldn't be playing much longer. It was
fine. Besides, my playing had been put on hold for a while, so I figured this
would be perfect for me. I ended up playing with the group for the rest of the
summer of 1997.
In October, 1998 I got married. I was still working at the bank, but I really
wanted to play the horn more. There weren't a lot of opportunities for me. I
didn't study with anyone from Boston and I wasn't ready to join the Boston
local, so no one really knew who I was. I was a busy newlywed, and had just
discovered that I was expecting my first child, so I still didn't aggressively
pursue a career in music. I did, however, again spend the summer of 1998 playing
with the Milford Concert Band up until two weeks before the birth of my first
child, David. It was during this summer that I started to see a change
developing with the Milford Concert Band. Paul was bringing in new faces, and we
were starting to play some different repertoire. I was excited. It was great to
have a regular summer job!
Summer ended and so, I thought, did the work. That fall I received a call from
Paul to play the Nutcracker Suite for the Franklin School of Performing Arts. I
felt as though I was still hanging by a thread musically. My son was 5 months
old and really giving me a run for my money. Playing the Nutcracker was a great
opportunity. I loved it! It made me want to be a better horn player. I took the
job, and it kept me from complete insanity, and it gave my family a little bit
of extra income. Paul urged me to join Local 393, and I did.
I continued doing these gigs, and found myself actually being a musician again.
Even though playing in a concert band wasn't exactly what I wanted, it kept me
playing. It gave me the opportunity to continue towards my goals as a person and
as a musician.
Gradually, Paul formed the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra. I remember getting a
brochure listing an actual orchestral season. I thought, now we're onto
something! This is really what I have always wanted; to be part of an orchestra.
The orchestra was small on the string side, but there were some excellent
players. The brass was full of quality players, not to mention a great first
horn player. I was excited to have the chance to play beside her. It would make
me an even better musician, and we would be playing great orchestral literature!
Overall, the whole experience was exhilarating! Wow! This guy is really driven!
I was awestruck.
As time has gone by – and it’s now been seven years! -- I have really been
touched and impressed by Paul's extreme loyalty, versatility and his faith in
what he is trying to do. This man is a Dad, clarinet player, conductor,
coordinator, grant writer, host, accountant, fundraiser, salesman and more. The
main feature that stands out about Paul is his dedication to being a kind human
being. He is good. What more can I say?
Thanks to Paul, I have continued to play the horn. I now have three children,
I'm a stay-at-home Mom, I teach private lessons near my home, and I play fourth
Horn in the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra. Thanks Paul! -Ellen LaBarre
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