“Mary Ferrillo had a lot at stake when she stepped behind the screen with her viola for her fourth audition at the Boston Symphony Orchestra in February,” writes Jenn Stanley on Monday (9/30) at Boston radio station WBUR. “She was three months shy of her 30th birthday and it was her 22nd audition for a major orchestra…. Mary’s father is BSO principal oboist John Ferrillo, who has been with the symphony since 2001…. Her father says he was proud, as any father would be, when he found out his daughter landed the coveted spot…. Just shy of his own 30th birthday, he got his first big break as second oboe at the San Francisco Symphony. It was his 22nd audition, too…. In addition to his position as principal oboist, John teaches at New England Conservatory, Boston University and the Tanglewood Institute. He’s watched many talented students work for years trying to get their big breaks, just as he did. He says he wishes he could bottle how Mary handled the [audition] process. ‘Her attitude was a lot more constructive than mine and some of my students,’ says John. ‘She did have the benefit of family experience, and great coaches.’ ”
Posted October 2, 2019
