VSA Musician Spotlight: Carol Franklin, Bassoon
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[San Juan Silver Stage | May 2021 ]
Artist’s Statement
When I was 5, my mother sat me down on our piano bench and taught me to read music. I took to it like a duck to water. In the 5th grade, my parents gave me a flute, which I learned to play myself and used to perform with the Morgan School band here in Montrose. In the 8th grade, my music teacher showed me a bassoon, reed, and fingering chart, and said, “When you learn to play, you can join the band.” I felt like a cast off, but it was the best thing, because I love to play bassoon!
I grew up in Montrose and graduated from Montrose High School. In my sophomore year, I tried out and was selected to play with the honor band at Western State. I played through the 11th grade and didn’t think much about playing again for many years. I also enjoyed singing and made all state chorus my senior year, although I was unable to attend.
I moved to Grand Junction, got a job, married in 1977, and raised three children. In 1998, when my youngest child was a senior in high school, I found out that the VSA owned a bassoon that was available. My brother, Paul Good, told me this. He played the bassoon part on his euphonium in the VSO from 1984-1998. It had been 26 years since I had played. It was difficult at first, but I was determined and kept at it. I had the joy of playing a couple of concerts with my brother, but sadly he relocated.
I enjoy hiking, traveling, and being a grandma, sewing, gardening, and playing piano at my church and for chapel at the VA hospital.
I’ve been playing with the orchestra since 1998, except for about a years’ absence while I was caring for my husband. I enjoy playing and feel like we’re family in the VSA, and it’s a joy to be a part of the organization. Music has always been an important part of my life.
Meet the Musicians
Betty Burgess, Clarinet. Valley Symphony Orchestra.
Barb Campbell, Cello. Valley Symphony Orchestra.
Nick Carozza, Oboe. Valley Symphony Orchestra.
Vivian Cheney, Violin. Valley Symphony Orchestra.
Carol Franklin, Bassoon, Valley Symphony Orchestra
Vic Franks, Tenor, Valley Symphony Chorus.
Priscilla Fry, Valley Symphony Chorus.
Gary Miller, Valley Symphony Orchestra
Chris Munday, Alto, Valley Symphony Chorus.
Dave Reddish, Trumpet, Valley Symphony Orchestra
50th Season
VSA will celebrate the 50th season starting in the fall of 2021 with its annual Pops in the Park Concert.
Saturday, Sept 11, 2021 • 5:00 pm at Cedaredge Town Park
Sunday, Sept 12, 2021 • 5:00 pm at Montrose Riverbottom Park
Orchestra and Chorus
For the only free and outdoor concerts of the season, the VSA orchestra and chorus perform a wide range of popular and contemporary music styles, including Americana, traditional marches, jazz standards, well-known classical, Broadway tunes, movie music, and rock ‘n’ roll.
About the Valley Symphony Association
The power of music to bind generations. Since 1970, the Valley Symphony Association orchestra and chorus has culturally enriched the community and its members by bringing together some of the best volunteer musicians from the North Fork and Uncompahgre Valleys to discover and present works of great composers, past and present. Performance styles range from classical orchestral to upbeat pop, from purely instrumental to a combination of orchestra and chorus. Please consider donating to help make the music possible. [DONATE]