Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra musicians rehearse at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Appleton, Wisconsin.
“Members of the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra walked into St. Bernard Catholic Church with instrument cases in their hands or slung over their shoulders,” writes Nathan Phelps in Wednesday’s (4/21) Spectrum News 1 (Wisconsin). “It had been more than 14 months since they last played together—and in some cases seen one another—and excitement was running high…. The rehearsal came on the same week the organization [announced] its 2021-22 season schedule of four concerts between November and April. For Principal Cellist Laura Kenney Henckel, the return … is an emotional experience. ‘I’m probably going to cry. I love this music.’ … Music Director Kevin Sütterlin said the upcoming season will reflect what the world has endured in the last year… ‘It’s a celebration of science, of people’s resilience, a celebration of the amazing people in our community,’ he said. ‘Frontline workers who have really worked so hard … over the last year and a half.’ [Concertmaster Yuliya] Smead said she’s looking forward to performing … and giving something back, alongside the rest of the symphony orchestra. ‘Being a musician is about playing together, and that’s been cut out of our lives for the past year and a half,’ she said.”
