Meet the ACO Musicians- Sara Fletcher

1.  Where were you born?  Tell us a little about your youth and upbringing.

 

I was born in Bradenton, FL, but moved to Vero Beach at about one year old.  I am the oldest of 4 children, all of whom are musical; however, I am the only one to make a profession from it.  My Dad is a Lutheran minister and my Mother stayed home, but now they have an "empty nest" and she works as an elementary school teacher.

 

2.  Earliest musical memories?

 

My Dad plays the accordion and I remember my siblings and I begging him to pull it out and play.  He'd play and sing polkas while we'd laugh and dance.  Between his accordion playing and our piano lessons - to be followed by oboe, tuba and French horn lessons - music always filled our home.

 

3.  Your education?  Where did you attend college, primary teachers?

 

I began piano lessons at around age 4 or 5.  When I entered the Gifford Middle School Seventh Grade Band, I began the oboe and my piano fell by the wayside.  I continued oboe throughout high school and college.  I ended up getting my BM and MM in oboe performance.  My teachers were Richard Foster, Tony Smith, Mark Ostoich and Bob Atherholt.

 

4.  Why did you choose your instrument?

 

I always wanted to play the flute, but when I went to pick out an instrument, I couldn't make a sound on it.  My Mother played the oboe in high school, so I thought I'd try that instead.

 

5.  When did you know you wanted to be a professional musician?

 

I didn’t really know what I wanted to be when I "grew up."  A small college in Louisiana offered me a full scholarship if I majored in music, so I thought I'd give it a try.  At the college's first symphony rehearsal, I knew I'd made the right choice.

 

6.  Who were/are your most important musical influences?

 

My Mother, who told me to always play from my heart.  My teacher, Mark, who helped me to take my playing to the "next level."

 

7.  Most inspiring composers?

 

I am a very passionate person.  I fell all of my emotions, both good and bad, to the fullest.  Beethoven's passion and fire in his music has always moved me the most.  I also love Jean Sibelius, Howard Hanson and Leonard Bernstein.

 

8.  What would you be if not a musician?

 

Probably a physical therapist.  I really admire how they help people get back to some sort of normalcy after an injury.  I had considered that before deciding on music.

 

9.  Your favorite thing about playing in the ACO?

 

One thing I love is that I get to play in my hometown.  So many of my gigs are in South Florida that it's great to be able to play near home.  It's really nice to see familiar faces in the audience - many of whom listened to me in the Middle and High School bands.  It's neat that they have been able to watch me "grow."  Besides that bit-of-a-selfish reason, I love working so intimately with the musicians and with Stewart.  Being in a chamber group requires a much more sensitive and precise approach to playing compared to a large symphony orchestra.  It's fun!  

 

10.  With what other ensembles do you perform/where do you teach?

 

I am a full-time teacher.  I teach about 500 elementary students music each week.  In addition to this, I play about 100 services between November and April with the Palm Beach Pops, ACO and Treasure Coast Opera.  I also freelance and pick up extra gigs whenever possible.

 

11.  What is in your CD player right now?

 

Hmmmm, I have a very eclectic taste in music.  I think I have The Beatles, Queen, an 80's mix CD, Rusted Root, Depeche Mode and Beethoven's Greatest Hits CD's in my car's player right now.  However, I mostly listen to my Ipod on shuffle.

 

12.  What do you like to do outside of work/hobby/pastimes?

 

I love to be creative!  I love to paint, draw, build, etc.  I also really like to organize and label things.  In fact, I am in the middle of painting and reorganizing my garage right now!