As ICSOM President, I have had the privilege of meeting and interacting with many musicians. Here are three that come to mind whenever I need a moment to be inspired and encouraged about our future.
Violist Rebecca Matayoshi
Last spring I interviewed the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra’s current ICSOM delegate, violist Rebecca Matayoshi, for our “Musician Profiles: Celebrating Racial Diversity” series. A few months later, we were glad to finally meet in person at the 2023 conference in Milwaukee, and at the end of the week, I was pleased that Rebecca accepted our offer to oversee ICSOM’s Instagram page.
Rebecca Matayoshi takes a selfie at the 2023 ICSOM Conference in Milwaukee, WI
Photo Credit: Rebecca Matayoshi
As part of that role, Rebecca oversees ICSOM’s “Orchestra of the Week” social media initiative, contacting delegates for content and photos. Many of our Instagram and Facebook followers have noted and liked her beautiful writings about our orchestras.
View this post on Instagram
Above: An example post of Rebecca’s that drew nearly 600 views to our Instagram page.
Violinist Clara Schubilske
Before starting her job with the Grand Rapids Symphony last fall, I learned that, impressively, violinist Clara Schubilske had already read and studied our CBA. Growing up in Minneapolis, her mother served on the negotiation committee during the sixteen-month lockout of the Minnesota Orchestra that began in October 2012. One would imagine that this shaped Clara’s view of the importance of musician involvement.
Clara’s GRS colleagues have made a concerted effort to mentor her during the tenure process, and she already has immersed herself in the community.
Rise and Shine! Clara Schubilske (left) and Orchestra Committee member Jinn Shin (right) at a GRS Musicians Association community activity for the St. Mark’s Breakfast Café, early on a recent Saturday morning.
Photo credit: Barb Corbató
Tubist Cameron Hall
Cameron Hall, the first recipient of our Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) scholarship for high school students, is a musician to watch. And I do mean this literally. Please watch our interview with Cameron from our monthly DEI video series and take note of his comments about how ICSOM’s BUTI scholarship will make a difference to the lives of others.
When Cameron speaks about his love for orchestral music, and especially his enthusiasm for Mahler’s Sixth Symphony, one cannot help but share in his joy. Now a freshman tuba performance major at the University of Miami Frost School of Music, we are thrilled that Cameron boosted his training with the valuable experience of having worked with the Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians last summer.
Tubist Cameron Hall poses with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood
Photo Credit: Boston University Tanglewood Institute
Every orchestra membership generates stories like these, and I encourage you to keep a few in your back pocket whenever you or others around you need a boost.
