In Sunday’s (1/5) Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), Zachary Lewis writes, “Marisela Sager could have been a trumpeter, an artist, a psychologist.… ‘I have a different kind of course than other people,’ said the [Cleveland Orchestra’s] assistant principal flutist, a member of the orchestra since 2005.… After enrolling in graduate school at Rice University in Houston, Sager decided she loved the flute enough to make it her career…. Then came what might be called Sager’s first big break: a seat in the New World Symphony,” followed by a year as assistant principal flutist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. When the assistant principal flute slot opened up in Cleveland, “Sager threw her hat in the ring … and was surprised to pass not only the first but also the second round, where candidates were asked to play piccolo, her least favorite of the three instruments she plays (her favorite is the darker, more mysterious alto flute)…. Her shock at landing the job was therefore complete and all-encompassing.… Eight years later … she’s more than just a functioning member of the ensemble. She’s one of its most active volunteers, offering regularly to lead or take part in educational events…. ‘To have had all of these experiences is great,’ Sager said…. ‘I use everything I’ve learned.’ ”
Posted January 6, 2014
