“After 36 years, Utah Symphony principal tubist Gary Ofenloch has sounded his final notes with the group,” writes Jacob Klopfenstein in Sunday’s (5/26) KSL-TV (Salt Lake City, UT). “Ofenloch, 68, has retired…. He knew last September that the 2018-19 Utah Symphony season was going to be his last, so he treated every performance like it was extra-special, he said. ‘I tried to be a little more prepared,’ he said. ‘I wanted my colleagues in the symphony to ask “Why are you leaving?” instead of saying “Boy, we’re so glad he’s going.” ’ … After starting with the Utah Symphony, he took two separate leaves of absence for teaching positions—one at Northwestern University and another at Boston University. But he always returned to Utah, he said…. Utah Symphony Principal Trombone Mark Davidson said, … ‘It’s remarkable to have the career that Gary’s had … He’s played at such a high level for his entire time here.’ … Ofenloch is a jokester, Davidson said…. ‘He’s established himself as quite a character over the years.’ ” Ofenloch was one of the Utah Symphony musicians who participated in the orchestra’s recent “Rockstars” marketing campaign—dressed as a member of the rock band Kiss.
Posted May 30, 2019
