In June of this year, Sam Weiser was one of 24 violinists auditioning for a spot with the orchestra.
Fast forward three months and after winning the Assistant Concertmaster position, Sam finds himself fast-tracked for the top job for season opener INTERSECTIONS, as Concertmaster Jennifer Cho sits it out due to a scheduling conflict.
We sat down with Sam to learn more.
Hi Sam, welcome to California Symphony! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I grew up in Westport, CT. I spent 5 years in Boston, where I studied computer science at Tufts University and violin at the New England Conservatory. Then…San Francisco! I completed my Master’s in chamber music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2019.
I’ve been in the Del Sol Quartet for 4 years now, and that’s mostly where you’ll hear me, but you’re sure to catch me playing around the Bay Area with other people too!
What most excites you about becoming Assistant Concertmaster?
I can’t wait to learn from Jenny – her leadership, her poise, and good golly, her violin playing!! I hope that I can contribute as a leader and a collaborator with the rest of the violin section, and the orchestra, to encourage a chamber music-like atmosphere where we are all bringing out the best in each other. I feel confident Jenny, Donato, and everyone else will do that for me!
Jenny will not be with us for these opening concerts of the 2022/23 season. How does it feel to be landing in the top spot for your very first concert with California Symphony?
Like there are some big shoes to fill! This will be my first time sitting Concertmaster professionally, and I’m excited to step up to the challenge.
Any tricky parts on this program or sections you’re particularly looking forward to performing?
Who wouldn’t want to rock out to the last movement of the Tchaikovsky?! For me, orchestra is all about the experience of being part of something so much bigger than yourself, and a wild, raucous finale like that epitomizes that feeling.
I also absolutely can’t stop listening to Anna Clyne’s cello concerto, and there’s nothing quite like falling in love with a piece of music and then getting to live it.
I promise, that’s not just because of my solo. 😉
You can see Sam taking on the Concertmaster role at the California Symphony’s Intersections concert, September 10 and 11 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek. Tickets are $49-$79 ($20 for students 25 and under), available online or through the Lesher Center Ticket Office at 925.943.7469.
