Pikesville High School's Elizabeth Lavin to Perform with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Congratulations to Elizabeth Lavin, an oboist and sophomore at Pikesville High School who successfully auditioned to play in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's Side by Side concert.

She was chosen as soloist to perform Franz Joseph Haydn's "Oboe Concerto" with the orchestra at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 6 at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore.

Lavin's musical education began years ago when she attended Fort Garrison Elementary School where she played the recorder. And five years ago, she started playing the oboe.

Her musical parents are sources of her talent, and her continued interest and efforts to become the best are sparked by her own success and by the instrument itself.

Elizabeth's mother, Tracy Lavin, used to play guitar and sing, and her father, Dr. Robert Lavin, still plays the violin. Elizabeth calls him "inspirational," because of his devotion to his music.

In fact, it was Dr. Lavin who suggested that Elizabeth play the oboe. She recalls that he wanted "something unique that was actually really important in orchestra." The oboe, which tunes the orchestra, always has to be in tune itself.

She was also attracted to the oboe concertos written by famous composers, and the fact that there are numerous chances for the oboist to solo.

Serious oboists make their own reeds for their wind instruments, and Elizabeth is learning how. It takes decades to perfect the skill.

I thought I would research the process and give a short description. Guess what? I found the instructions to be so exacting that even a summary might take decades. For the curious, a good synopsis can be found here.

Elizabeth is just as careful with her instrument itself, a beautiful wooden oboe made by Loree, the well-known French company that has made instruments since 1881. Wooden oboes offer a more complex sound than plastic, but they are climate sensitive and can wear out more quickly. Meticulous cleaning is essential.

And, needless to say, practice is also essential. Elizabeth says that 45 minutes to an hour a day is an absolute minimum. She gets extra practice at rehearsals, which can take 2 to 6 hours.

Lavin is not usually too nervous at auditions. But she was apprehensive before Side by Side's audition because, as she observes, "if you want it badly, you get more nervous."

Also, she was playing alone on the Meyerhoff stage, which must have seemed cavernous.

Before launching into Haydn's concerto, "I whispered to the accompanist, 'Can I play a few notes?'" she says. "It sounded loud."

Despite the nerves, Elizabeth played well and was selected as the soloist.

She found out the day she was asked during class to come to the principal's office. There, with Principal Edmund Mitzel, she recognized Stephen Miles, supervisor for the Baltimore County Public Schools' Office of Music.

Her excitement was temporarily quelled when Mr. Mitzel, solemnly, told her only that Mr. Miles had some information for her. But ultimately it was the good news she had hoped for. They called her mother at work to let her know.

Tracy Lavin commends the school system for recognizing creativity among its students. "We are really fortunate," she says, to have such a comprehensive music program in Baltimore County." In addition to classes in school, they offer a County Honors Band, Chorus, and Orchestra and a Jazz Band, as well as the opportunities like Side by Side.

That kind of visit to the office makes it hard to go back to English class and concentrate on, for example, Oedipus. But while classical music is Elizabeth's love, she enjoys other interests. The multimedia class she takes is one of the few offered in area schools, and she likes making computer art.

Elizabeth asked to thank:

• Her friends and especially her parents for their support.
• All the music teachers at school and Mr. Mitzel, the principal.
• Fatma Daglar, who is Lavin's amazing, private oboe teacher.
• Music coordinators and specialists for Baltimore County
• Side by Side and its judges.

For tickets to the performance Jan. 6, call the BSO Box Office at 410-783-8000, or toll-free at 877-BSO-1444.

Jeannette Ortt is a freelance writer and a graduate of the University of Virginia, where she studied art and Slavic languages and literature.