Sara Swain – Cello – 15 Seasons

“Day Job”: I work in development (fundraising) at Ravinia, primarily as a grant writer.

Most memorable performance: May 31, 2015. I love Brahms;  Symphony No. 3 is challenging, yet a complete joy to play, with some great cello lines, so I’m a bit biased. While I struggled to connect with Strauss’s Four Last Songs during rehearsals, once the incomparable soprano Michelle Areyzaga came on board, I was touched by its haunting, mournful beauty. Wagner’s Overture to Tannhäuser is a great roller coaster ride, building slowly to a triumphant brass melody which leads to a whirlwind center sections that finally returns to the brass melody to close. What a concert!

Most pleased to have accomplished: Back when this all began, Yo-Yo Ma posted a video of himself playing a piece on the cello and he encouraged musicians of all ages and abilities to join in his #SongsOfComfort movement. In an effort to spread some cheer to my friends on Facebook, I started the very next day. I promised to post one song each day, thinking this would last one or two months, but I didn’t give up, and made it to song #100! Then I needed to take a break, but am sure that I will resume sometime soon!