“The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is mourning the passing of Douglas Sommer, 54. Sommer, who played bass, died Feb. 27 of cancer,” writes Howard Pousner in Thursday’s (2/27) Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Quoting from the ASO’s press release announcing Sommer’s death, the article notes that Sommer, an ASO musician since 1989, will be honored during the orchestra’s concerts on March 13, 15, and 16. Sommer served as a longtime faculty member in the Atlanta Symphony’s Talent Development Program, and also was the program’s faculty lead for a year. He coached students in the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and performed in schools and communities around Atlanta through the ASO’s Musicians in Schools/Musicians in Communities programs. Outside the ASO, Sommer performed with the Atlanta Virtuosi, Atlanta Winds, Lyra String Quartet, Emory Chamber Players, Kennesaw State University Chamber Players, Atlanta Chamber Players, and the Pensacola Chamber Music Festival. Before joining the ASO, he was a member of the Columbus (Ohio) Symphony and the San Francisco Symphony. A California native, Sommer studied double bass at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and received his master’s degree at the New England Conservatory of Music. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, their children, and a twin sister and brother.
Posted March 4, 2014
