The Musicians of Foothills Philharmonic

When did you join Foothills Philharmonic?

I am the founder of Foothills Philharmonic. I spent twelve months doing research on how to do such a thing as put together an orchestra, reading every book I could find on the topic and even interviewing people who worked for the Greenville Symphony. My goal was to create an organization that would be strong and secure, and not fall apart at the first bump in the road. We started as the Greenville Community Symphony Orchestra, and were requested by the Greenville Symphony to change our name as they felt it was too close to theirs. Jim King came up with Foothills Philharmonic, and the name change was approved by everyone in the orchestra.

What do you do when you are not playing your instrument?

For several years I played with the Praise Philharmonic, which performed at several churches in the area. I also contemplated about what kind of venues Foothills could play. Currently, when not playing with Foothills, I'm buzzing . . . on my mouthpiece! I've learned over the years that this keeps me in shape to play the next rehearsal or concert!

What is your favorite Foothills memory?

My favorite Foothills Memory is that of opening night in 2000. There had been a light snow just before performance time. I was afraid the snow would keep quite a few people away from the concert. It did keep some away; however, we played the concert and received a great applause, and had a very fine reception afterwards. Everyone was ecstatic about when the next concert would be and how we would fill the auditorium the next time we played.

A second memory that is dear to my heart is the time we played on the grounds of Furman University (for the Music by the Lake series), before they had the amphitheater. We were the first group that played that summer. I'll never forget when Les Hicken, band director at Furman and organizer of the summer series, mentioned to me that all his "spies" had told him what an excellent concert we had. To me this was a very high compliment for Foothills Philharmonic.

When did you join Foothills Philharmonic? 

My first performance with FP was in March of 2004. At the time, I had not played my bassoon seriously for over two decades. A friend who had heard me accompanying carols at a very festive Christmas party mentioned FP to me. The orchestra needed a second bassoon, and the orchestra and I embarked on our relationship.

What do you do when you are not playing your instrument?

I have practiced law with Wyche, P.A. since 1991.  I enjoy working in my yard.  My wife, Mary, and I like to travel.  We especially enjoy trips to see our kids; two are currently in school in Philadelphia, and one is teaching in Weimar, Germany.

What is your favorite Foothills memory?

While perhaps not a “favorite,” I have a very distinct recollection of the emotions I felt upon receiving a battlefield promotion to principal bassoonist when Frank Jordan left.  I had been quite content playing second bassoon, and I did not aspire to anything more.  I felt a great deal of anxiety over whether I could carry that load.  However, as is often the case, the challenge forced me to work harder at my craft, and I got better.

I also have a vivid memory of an evening when I rushed to rehearsal, stressed and distracted by work.  I found myself regretting the commitment of time and energy to FP.  Later that night, pulling into my driveway, I realized that I was in a remarkably good mood.  Somehow, without my noticing it at the time, the focus on the task and the music itself had done wonders to transform my outlook.  It’s a magical thing to make music with this group.

When did you join Foothills Philharmonic?

I joined the orchestra in September of 2010. Michael Weaver was the guest conductor for that concert. Kory’s audition concert for the orchestra would occur in March of 2011, and, well, the rest, as they say, is history.

What do you do when you are not playing your instrument?

I teach trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, and tuba lessons privately.

What is your favorite Foothills memory? 

It would have to be the concert in March of 2012 when we performed Pictures at an Exhibition. It felt like things had been steadily turning around and improving, with growing audience attendance leading up until that point. After that concert, it felt like we were able to establish resoundingly that Foothills was moving forward in a very positive and exciting direction. 

I view that concert as Kory’s signature concert, since he demonstrated not only that he was an exceedingly capable conductor but also that he wasn’t afraid to push the orchestra to greater heights and to achieve greater things. I believe that the ultimate reason why Foothills has become what it is today traces back to that concert. If anything, that concert showcased Kory’s style of leadership, one in which he would very ambitiously chose repertoire for a concert that would push the audience and orchestra, resulting in an immensely satisfying experience for everyone.

When did you join Foothills Philharmonic?

My first contact with the Foothills Philharmonic was in 2007 when Dr. Gary Robinson asked me to be a soloist with the orchestra. I played the Goldfinch Concerto by Vivaldi for flute and orchestra. I became a member of the orchestra the following season and have been there most of the years since with a few exceptions when I was out for surgery of one type or another. I also play with the Senior Action Center's Band, the Upstate Winds, the Easley Community Band and the Greenville Concert band. This past summer was my fifty-first year to play with the Lakeside Band at Furman. 

What do you do when you are not playing your instrument?

Well . . . With all the groups I play with, my flute (and Piccolo) and I stay pretty busy. I also still have a few private flute students. My main non-musical activity is quilting. I started that activity in 2006 and just love quilting. I have given away most of my quilts to friends and babies. I'm not out to win any quilt contests. I just quilt for the enjoyment and the challenges and the joy of giving someone a quilt I have made especially for them. Each of my five grandchildren received a quilt when they graduated from high school. 

What is your favorite Foothills memory?

I don't have a single favorite memory. I enjoy every concert and the fun and the thrill of everyone working together to play all the lovely pieces on the various programs. Kory always has plenty of challenges for us and also a variety of music old and new and in between. The joy of making beautiful music together is a very fulfilling joy. 

When did you join Foothills Philharmonic?

I joined at the beginning, the first season in 2000-2001. I have participated for all twenty years!

What do you do when you are not playing your instrument?

My primary interest and activities have been for my family: Kip, my husband, and my two children, Beth Ann, our daughter, and Jaime, our son. I have been a stay at home mother throughout most of the intervening years and now we are empty nesters. My creative hobbies have been sewing, quilting, knitting and crocheting at various degrees of interest. I have also been very interested in home decor and design which I have shared with my daughter. Over the years I have enjoyed singing with various groups at my church. I also play my violin for various churches and other programs. I love my weekly Pilates sessions and my husband and I are starting to travel to some nice destinations.

What is your favorite Foothills memory?

My favorite Foothills memories will always be the great friends I have made and the reconnecting with former colleagues and students from my years as a string orchestra teacher. I have appreciated the challenges of playing so much orchestral repertoire over the years. I am able to fulfill a sentiment that my mother always believed in which was, that I could learn to play the violin as a nice lifelong hobby.

When did you join Foothills Philharmonic? 

In fall of 2016. I found the orchestra online. I had been playing with the Athens Symphony while I was living in Georgia and when I moved back to the Upstate, I knew I wanted to keep playing. So I went online to find what volunteer orchestras were in the area and found Foothills Philharmonic.

What do you do when you are not playing your instrument?

I serve as the Community Involvement Advisor for the Zeta Eta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta at Wofford College, Secretary/Treasurer for the Upstate SC Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, District Director of the Kappa Tau Chapter at Clemson University, President of the Greenville/Upstate SC Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi, and as a member at large of the Executive Committee and on the communications committee of Women Giving for Spartanburg. I also volunteer to interpret for a deaf student on Sunday mornings at church.

What is your favorite Foothills memory?

The first chamber concert I played was special for me. I had just joined the orchestra that year. And it was a great way for me to know different people in the orchestra.

When did you join Foothills Philharmonic?

In 2000, when it was called the Greenville Community Chamber Orchestra, directed by Victor Vallo. I played with the orchestra until I moved to Charleston in 2006, then rejoined when I came back to Greenville in 2017.

What do you do when you are not playing your instrument?

Since I'm currently playing with three other ensembles, not much! I enjoy hanging out with the grandkids and walking the dog.

What is your favorite Foothills memory?

The Grieg Piano Concerto with Jack Cohan. It was just one of those concerts where everything seemed to go right. The timpani part was substantial, but not terrifying. Another highlight was our performance at the Peace Center in 2005, featuring Haejin Kim on violin, one of the best during that era. I also got to play on the Greenville Symphony Orchestra's timpani!

How did you join Foothills Philharmonic? 

I was asked to sub for a concert in 2007. I have been playing utility clarinet ever since. In addition to Foothills, I have played with the Fountain Inn Symphony Orchestra, Oak Ridge Orchestra (Tennessee) and the Great Falls Symphony (Montana). I also perform with the Greenville Concert Band, Upstate Wind Symphony, Brevard College Band, Furman Lakeside Band, and the Greenville Jazz Ensemble. I particularly enjoy playing in pit orchestras for the Younts Center for Performing Arts, the South Carolina Children's Theater, GLOW, the Greer Children's Theater, and the Warehouse Theater.

What do you do when you are not playing your instrument?

Teach college business courses. I recently retired from Flour Corporation.

What is your favorite Foothills memory?

Watching Kory ride a bicycle down the aisle at the beginning of one of the pops concerts a few years ago!

When did you join Foothills Philharmonic?

I heard about Foothills from a friend. I joined in 2011 during Kory's first season.

What do you do when you are not playing your instrument?

I'm a high school orchestra director. I teach at two different schools: Greer High School and Blue Ridge High School. Before teaching there I taught at Lakeview Middle School for eight years. I’m also a wife and mother of three.

What is your favorite Foothills memory?

It’s hard to choose a favorite memory, but I will say that I really enjoy rehearsals. I feel like we have a lot of fun while getting things done musically. It’s also never a dull moment when our Maestro is on the podium.