The violin is a way of life for Barry Ross, the concertmaster emeritus of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, and the founder of the Kalamazoo Philharmonia (formerly known as the Kalamazoo College and Community Orchestra). A generous soloist and collaborator, Ross has missed making music with colleagues and students during the Covid-19 shutdown. He wishes he could still put pencil marks on a young learner's music during a lesson. Playing duets online is hard, when the program allows only one player to "speak" at a time.
But the shutdown hasn't changed his dedication to learning and growing as a soloist. Currently, Ross says he's working on vibrato, adjusting it from "section leader" to "soloist." He also started a Youtube channel, Barry Ross Music, with a video dedicated to friendship and favorite songs.
The future of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra is a cause still close to him. Many of the celebrations have been postponed, but in the meantime, Ross says, the KSO's education and outreach programs have been keeping young people engaged online. He hopes the community will remember its excellence in the coming year, the 100th anniversary of the orchestra.
Note: This article has been revised to remove as yet unconfirmed details about the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra's next season and capital campaign.
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