Susan Hansen:  A level of repertoire that has been the most challenging of any community orchestra of which I have ever been a part.  And the best and most focused rehearsals ever.  Gary Fagan is always ready with interesting insights of the music, composers, or personal memories that tickle my imagination!

Carly Lewis: I’ll never forget my very first rehearsal, because we were playing Schumann’s 2nd Symphony. When we got to the Scherzo, the first violins had these crazy fast passages and Gary yelled to me across the section “Trial by fire, Carly!”. Regardless of the number of notes I had to play, I was so excited to be a part of the group and play with such talented musicians! I have loved every second of playing with this group ever since!   Another special memory that stands out to me is playing with Jay Ungar and Molly Mason at the Pops Concert in 2017. I absolutely loved the music, the audience had fun and they were so kind and sweet!

Willie Lau:   The concert with David Kim [concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra] playing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto.

Kim Van Heygen: Playing Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony for Gary’s 10th anniversary. Being able to play with Judy Kuhn for Pops; she’s one of my favorite Broadway singers. And more recently, learning and playing Petrushka.

Arlene Coleman: When I was a kid I borrowed a recording of Dvorak’s New World Symphony from the library.  I was so enthralled by it. To this day it’s my all-time favorite. A few years ago, BCSO performed it and I got to actually play it with my violin teacher sitting right next to me!

Inna Nedorezov:  I love to see young talented musicians (soloists) of the new generation starting their careers and our own BCSO representing a stepping stone to their dream.

Charlie Piccirillo: Special memories: performing the Pops Concerts and the William Tell Overture. 

Elizabeth Kasumi: I love all the friends I’ve made at BCSO–seeing and chatting with my stand partner and hearing Gary’s amazing anecdotes of his musical career is often the highlight of my week. Playing Stravinsky’s Petrushka was one of my favorite and outstanding moments at BCSO–up until that point, I had never played anything so demanding in orchestral setting. It was such a fun musical challenge to take on!