Interviewees' Shared Characteristics

Last week, I did three interviews in three days, so I am busy transcribing a lot of new exciting content that will be posted in the coming weeks.

I've now done more than a dozen interviews, and I'm even more amazed at the level of talent and passion of these people. I am honored that they took time out of their busy schedules to talk to me. Some common themes are starting to emerge:

How is a Special Event like a Performance?

This year at Curtis, I have the added responsibility -- in addition to the grantwriting -- of running the Curtis Crescendo Club along with my friend and colleague Trish Furman. The Crescendo Club's goal is to build interest in and support for Curtis among Philadelphia's young professionals. 

Dr. Brian Peterson, Bassoonist and Surgeon, Salt Lake City, UT

Of the many insights from my remarkable interviewees, something you'll read below from Brian Peterson still stands out to me after countless hours working on this project. When asked what motivated him to pursue his medical career, he responded: "I got to re-thinking my music degree and realized that I probably wouldn't have a career in an orchestra because I just didn't think I was going to work hard enough." 

This sentence exemplifies the incredibly high standard Dr. Peterson -- and all of the interviewees you'll meet here -- have set for themselves, and passion, dedication, commitment to excellence, and extraordinary accomplishments that most of us can only aspire to. Enjoy!

Bassoonist Dr. Brian Peterson (pictured at left with his wife, oboist Barbara Peterson) of Salt Lake City has performed with the Utah Symphony, the Utah Chamber Orchestra, and the Orchestra in Temple Square, which accompanies the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He earned a BM from USC where he studied with Norman Herzberg and an MM from Brigham Young University. Dr. Peterson is an otologist (ear surgeon) at Jordan Valley Medical Center and Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City. He attended medical school at the University of Utah; completed his residency at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York; and held a fellowship at the Michigan Ear Institute.

Click on the video below to hear Brian rock out on the contrabassoon! (More vids on his YouTube channel.)

 

What's your non-music career?

 
I’m an otologist -- ear surgeon -- at Jordan Valley Medical Center and Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City.

What’s your training on the bassoon?