b'ductors because the instrument plays in the middle of the sound, aware ofT he went late in the se-whats going on above and below . and help[s] knit things together. lectionprocess.Theonly She explains her love of conducting in similar terms. The goal is to realizeinstrument left was the vi-the composers intentions and help performers and audiences fully experienceolin. Even the violas were and appreciate the work, she says. Its exciting to study and grasp the piecegone, he says, smiling.in detail and as a whole. Althoughheenjoyed About 15 years ago, she returned home from her travels and her then jobthe instrument enough to as associate conductor for the orchestra in Tampa/St. Petersburg to pursue astickwithituntilhegot passion project of promoting the art and music programs happening in NewtoColumbia,hecredits Jersey by creating news videos. That project widened its scope to include en- CHSorchestrateacher vironmental and social reporting and became CivicStory. She is its founder,ToddVanBeverenwith former creative director, and current vice president.ignitinghispassion.He In a way, this orchestra is a paean to the civic life Haig promotes, and tosaw that I had some poten-the public schools that might be thought of as the core of that civic life. Publictial,Tornquistsays.Van schools introduce music to many students, many of whom remember fum- BeverengaveTornquist bling their way through a concert as inept, new musicians.lessons,confidenceandaThe public schools introduced many of the or-chestras musicians to their instruments and what For a select few, those early days on an instrument are just the beginning ofworkethic.Heallowedwould became a lifelong pursuit.a pursuit that comes to define them. Like Gelfond, Haig began playing in herme to see the value in put-public elementary school. So did concertmaster Joe Tornquist.ting some time into getting good at something. He began his career as a violinist at Clinton, played on the SOMS stage asNoting that its been said that it takes 10,000 hours to master something, a middle schooler under the direction of William Cook, graduated from Co- Tornquist muses that he has spent many more hours than that with the violin. lumbia High School in 2014, got his bachelors and masters degrees in musicWhat he loves most about getting up on stage to spend more hours with it every from Montclair State, and continues to call Maplewood home. Tuesday, he says, is the realization of how good it feels doing something well.He is in his first season as concertmaster, a paid gig that gives him no endOne senses that the musicians on stage with him at SOMS on Tuesday of pleasure. Although he has a day job at Blink Fitness, he keeps his hand innights know exactly what he means. music through the South Orange Symphony and a second paid post withTia Swanson played the trombone badly in her high school concert band and has the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra. Like many SOMA students, he chose hisnot touched it since she graduated many years ago. But she looks forward to being instrument at the end of fourth grade. But because his last name begins within the audience for the April concert. Same day reno. Long lasting impact.Come home to amazing.Our patented and customized paint solutions ensure that we achieve a factory finish for every application, backed by our 15 YEAR WARRANTY *against peeling.WE RECOAT ALUMINUMVINYLBRICKFIBER CEMENT ENGINEERED WOODSTUCCODOORS & WINDOWSC A L L U S F O R Y O U R F R E E Q U O T E !SPRAYNET.COM 973.791.9778 SPRAY-NET ESSEX COUNTY18/ matters magazine / hearth + home 2025'