JAVS Fall 2012

never thought I would be sitting next to them playing in a string quartet. It was fun and seemed too brief of an encounter but I remember leaving that night ask ing myself, ‘did that just really happen?’” Hart also enjoyed the experience of performing with yo-yo Ma when he unexpectedly sat in to read the slow movement of Dvořák’s “American” String Quartet in 2011: “We often serve a supporting role at the White House, but with yo-yo Ma playing, we were the center of attention for everyone, including the President, who stood behind me looking over my shoulder.” In addition to rewarding solo, orchestral, and cham ber music performances, members’ schedules allow for other gratifying opportunities, and they often take time to connect with the local community: “Several of us also do outreach programs in elementary schools, which is really fun,” says Tran. Hart is involved in school outreach and is pursuing doctoral studies with Daniel Foster at the University of Maryland in College Park. Hart recounts one of her favorite quartet performances at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Washington, DC:

We gave a short program of Beethoven’s Op. 74, Gershwin’s Lullaby , and The Turtle Island String Quartet’s arrangement of Chick Corea’s Señor Mouse . After the performance, I asked one retired Marine which piece he liked best. I fully expected to hear Gershwin or Corea, as I knew most of the audience was unfamiliar with classical music. He answered: “The first piece,” the Beethoven, explaining that he enjoyed it most because he could sense that we loved it most dearly. This conversation made me realize both the power of our attitudes as performers and the power of my position as a Marine musician to open up the world of classical music to a new audience, people who identify with the uniforms we wear but who might not normally come to classical concerts. With a career full of amazing musical opportunities and service to our country, the members of “The President’s Own” viola section seem to have it all: “I’m really grateful to be working with a wonderful string section consisting of talented and kind people,” remarks Tran, “I love my job!” Hart adds that “the work climate of ‘The President’s Own’ is extremely professional, and I appreciate the variety in my Marine work. I feel so lucky to play in a section with my fellow Marine violists, Chris and

Tam, who I admire as musicians and friends. Playing with them is a real joy.”

Shieh sums up the feeling of his viola col leagues: “I love this job! I wouldn’t trade this job for any other. I am very thankful to the band and feel extremely blessed to have a gig where I can represent and serve the Marine Corps and our country per forming a job that I love. Semper fi! ” For more information on “The President’s Own” United States Marine Chamber Orchestra, visit: http://www.marineband.usmc.mil/. For an arrangement of the Marines’ Hymn for three violas, visit: http://americanviolaso ciety.org/resources/scores/multiple-vio laensemble-music/.

Sarah Hart enjoys an impromptu reading of Dvořák’s “American” String Quartet with Yo-Yo Ma in the Grand Foyer of the White House on February 15, 2011, following the 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom award ceremo ny (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

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