Christy

Sonneborn

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In tune with the various arts programs on Marco Island, Wesley United Methodist Church will welcome the Philharmonic Orchestra on Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. for a performance of Haydn’s “Drumroll” symphony with Kristen Sonneborn playing the bassoon as the featured soloist.

With the entire concert lasting approximately 90 minutes, Sonneborn will play “Concerto for Bassoon in B Flat Major.”

Born in Minnesota, Sonneborn began playing the bassoon in the fourth grade. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Olaf College and a Masters Degree in Performance from the University of Southern California. She then began freelancing in Los Angeles and played with the San Antonio Symphony for three years. She has performed at the Tanglewood Festival in Massachusetts under Leonard Bernstein and worked with Seiji Ozawa, composer Don Williams, and many others.

A member of the Naples Philharmonic since 1995, she says orchestra jobs are few and far between.

“My husband is also in the orchestra as principal trumpet and will be performing with me that evening as well,” Sonneborn said.

About her own interpretation, Sonneborn commented, “The bassoon is a very unique instrument. I like the way it sounds. It has a deep rich tone. Actually, my older sisters played the bassoon in school and the band directors at that time wanted to recruit students to learn to play the double reed instrument. All too often, there aren’t as many students interested in this difficult instrument.”

On Feb. 29 at 8 p.m., the Philharmonic Orchestra will once again perform at Wesley United Methodist Church and this time it will present “Beethoven’s Second” with featured musician Judy Christy performing a solo on the oboe.

A very talented woman, Christy started learning to play the violin at the age of three. By the time she was eight years old, she realized she wanted to play the oboe.

“My Dad was a band director and sort of encouraged me to play the oboe because not many people were interested in learning it. I gave it a try and liked it. It’s difficult, but fun to play.”

Christy continued her education at Arts Overland Conservatory in Ohio for her undergraduate degree and went on to Rice University for a Masters degree in Music and Performance. Upon graduation, she went to New World Symphony in Miami for a year.

“That’s the type of symphony orchestra that gives people a start, and they usually go on to other symphony orchestras,” Christy stated. When an audition became possible at the Naples Philharmonic, Christy was accepted and has been with the Philharmonic for 10 years.

Her solo will be “Concerto for Oboe and Strings.” Christy stated she has never performed this concerto before and is very excited about it. It has an accompaniment of strings.

Tickets for both concerts can only be obtained by calling the Philharmonic at 597-1900, 800-597-1900 or by ordering from their website at www.thephil.org. Each concert ticket is sold separately at $38 for adults and $16 for students.

Wesley United Methodist Church is located at 350 S. Barfield Drive.