Melissa Pierson Barrett is the associate concertmaster for the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.
WHAT DOES YOUR
POSITION INVOLVE?
“I play the same part as everybody else in the [violin] section, but during rehearsals I assist the concertmaster [Philip Pan] in doing his job, communicating to the section what he wants. For performances, I have to take over if something happens. Usually, I get advance notice, but if he [Pan] gets a flat tire or something, I have to be prepared to be the concertmaster, which includes playing any solos.”
IS THE CONCERTMASTER THE SAME AS THE CONDUCTOR?
“No. The conductor is the maestro of the orchestra. He is on the podium interpreting the music and directing the musicians with his baton and expressions. Each instrument and section has its own leader. That principal [the section leader] is responsible for keeping tabs on their section. The concertmaster is the primo violinist just to the conductor’s left. He [Pan] is there to make the conductor’s life easier by communicating what the conductor wants. The concertmaster is representative of the instrumental musicians. He tunes the orchestra before performances and leads through cueing.”
HOW HAS THE CONDUCTOR IMPACTED THE GROUP?
“Fabio [Mechetti] is a very strong leader. He is very demanding, but respectful. I think it’s just the right combination to draw out the potential of the group in a way that you feel comfortable.”
HOW DID YOU GET THE JOB?
Initially, Barrett won a job for a section violin position. A year later, she auditioned for the associate concertmaster post and got the part, which she has held for 14 years.
WHAT’S REWARDING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“Expressing myself through the music and having it affect the audience in a positive way.”
WHAT’S MOST CHALLENGING?
“You’re never done. You never put it away and say ‘I’ve achieved perfection.’ When you’re a musician, you’re always honing your craft. You have to practice outside of rehearsals but that’s positive because it keeps you inspired.”
COMPOSING A CAREER
Barrett taught violin, viola and chamber music to the college students at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. She also performed in a faculty piano trio and with the Houston Grand Opera.
CHANGE OF TEMPO
“Performing with the Savannah Symphony Orchestra was kind of a transition for me. I loved it because I was playing, so I decided that was what I wanted. I was teaching a lot and I wanted to perform more. It was then that I started taking auditions.”
WILL YOU TEACH AGAIN?
“I’m not saying that I’m never going to teach college again. Currently, I teach private lessons to nine- to 17-year-olds and the occasional adult student. They all play in the youth symphony.” All three of the violin winners in last year’s Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto competition were her students.
WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN?
“The quality of the JSO has improved a lot. They were already good when I came here but their potential is being realized The job environment is like day and night now that we have the new hall. It’s such a high quality performance space. Everything’s set up for you to do your job well. I think the community has always supported us but there is a lot more we can do in terms of growing the orchestra. That will put us on the map. Before, we were minor league in terms of budget. My dream is for us to be a major orchestra in terms of size.”
HOMETOWN
Livonia, Mich.
DO YOU MISS MICHIGAN?
“Yes, because I still have family there. I miss the autumn climate and the change of seasons. Every fall in Michigan, you feel a sense of renewal. I appreciate the greenery and the flowers of Florida, too.”
WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER
YOUR TALENT?
“Around the fifth grade. Growing up in Michigan, there was a lot of music in school. I found I was able to play the flute easily. The violin was a very difficult instrument but I felt I had a natural musical ability. It didn’t matter that it was difficult.”
WHY STICK WITH THE VIOLIN?
“Once I started playing the violin, I focused on that. The violin has such immense capabilities for color and expression. I felt I could express myself well through it.”
MUSIC SCHOOL
She has a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a master’s degree from Eastman School of Music.
A FLURRY OF FESTIVALS
Summer music festivals are a nice break for Barrett. She has participated in the Aspen Music Festival, the Colorado Music Festival, the Lake George Opera Festival and the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. “Colorado is a haven for musicians in the summer because there’s so many festivals there. Nature affects your mood so much. I feel refreshed by the crisp air and the cool water.”
FAMILY
Barrett and her husband Michael reside in Mandarin with their two dachshunds, Mustard and Relish, who howl while she’s playing the violin. Musical talent runs in the family — Barrett’s father is a music teacher and her sister, a youth symphony conductor, used to play the viola.
A WOMAN’S TOUCH
Barrett enjoys gardening, shopping and movies, especially the classics. She describes chocolate as her favorite food group, with Mexican food and margaritas running a close second.
WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE COMPOSER?
“I would have to choose a few. I like Brahms, Bach, Beethoven, Mozart and Mahler, plus some neoclassical and contemporary composers.”
WHERE WILL YOU PERFORM NEXT?
Active in playing chamber music, Barrett will be part of a quartet appearing at a noon concert at UNF Jan. 27. She will also perform in a piano quintet at Hilton Head in May.
— by Monica Chamness