AN INTERVIEW WITH RON BROOKER
Ladies and gentlemen, music mavens, and curious souls with an ear for the extraordinary – it’s time to unveil the vibrant minds behind the scenes of our beloved local symphony orchestra! In this enchanting interview, we introduce you to the magical persona who’ll be orchestrating the symphony of our daily operations: our new executive director Ron Brooker!
Q1: A 20-Year Musical Odyssey Congratulations on your new role as Executive Director! With three decades in our FSO family, could you take us on a whirlwind tour of your journey and how you’ve composed your path to executive director?
“I came to the area in 1991 to be the Orchestra Director at Sandusky High School, after teaching 5 years in Findlay, Ohio. I played one concert for the orchestra’s predecessor, The Fine Arts Chamber Orchestra, and then joined full time when we became the Firelands Symphony Orchestra. In 1997, I moved to the private sector. I began thinking about this job about a year ago, thinking that I could use the tools learned from the last 25 or so years in the private sector to help move this orchestra forward.”
Q2: Life Beyond the Baton Beyond the notes and melodies, what passions and hobbies light up your world? Do you have any quirky interests that you’d like to share with our orchestra’s curious crowd?
I enjoy reading, my golf game can be quirky at times, and I also like wood working.
Q3: Local Rhythms and Melodies As a fellow resident of our Firelands region, what hidden gems or cherished local spots do you recommend for fellow music lovers and culture enthusiasts? How do these places inspire your symphonic spirit?
Oh my, that’s a loaded question! There is so much for almost any taste. Museum lovers will like the Merry-Go-Round museum, the Maritime Museum of Sandusky, the Follet House, the Hayes museum in Fremont. But I personally like what has been happening in the downtown area of Sandusky the last several years. I encourage people to go down and just walk around- there are so many things to do, places to eat, and soon- places to take in a show when the State Theater is completed.
Q4: Balancing Act Steering the operations of orchestra ship requires a special blend of artistic sensibilities and administrative prowess. How do your years as a violinist and concertmaster guide your unique approach to the day-to-day operations?
With my experience as a musician, I’m able to identify needs. I’ll then take my experience as a teacher and in the business community, and look to fill those needs.
Q5: From Notes to Numbers Tell us about your vision for enhancing the symphony’s daily operations. How do you plan to weave your vibrant personality into the nuts and bolts of our behind-the-scenes magic?
I’m going to stay out of the way of our staff! They have been handling things quite well these last almost 14 months without an executive director. Job one for me is do no harm, then observe how things operate, and after that, enhance what needs enhancing and leave what works.
Q6: Musical High Jinks Let’s turn up the tempo with a whimsical question: If you could choose any musical instrument to describe your leadership style, what would it be and why?
It would be a blend of several instruments- it could be the crash cymbals, who is silent for most of the piece, but when inserted, everyone knows its in. It could be the low brass, low winds, and low strings for foundational support. It could be a melody instrument, leading. Hard to pick one.
Q7: Harmonizing Harmony From all your experiences with the FSO, can you share a memorable anecdote that embodies the unity and magic that defines our orchestra’s spirit?
I have two- the first was when our first conductor left suddenly, and the musicians and board banded together to stay alive. The other was how we scratched and clawed our way through COVID and managed to survive an awful situation relatively healthy, when other orchestras couldn’t.
Q8: A Final Fanfare As you embark on this exhilarating chapter as executive director, what message do you want to send to our orchestra’s dedicated supporters and the community that’s eagerly waiting to see your leadership?
Come to a concert and see for yourselves! That’s the primary focus- to have wonderful entertaining programs that will delight the audience. Also, we’re available to come to your group and talk about what’s happening.
With this delightful interview, we usher you into the vibrant symphonic world of our new Executive Director. With a medley of passions, decades of dedication, and an exquisite ear for harmony, our leader is set to conduct a symphony of innovation, community engagement, and spirited growth. Stay tuned for the thrilling cadence of enchanting surprises and musical joy that lies ahead!
Wonderful news!!! I attended the
Summer Concert. Love it, loved the guest singer!!!