Ann Hobson Pilot

" Good morning this is exceptional women and I'm -- Vernon. One of the first exceptional women interviewed years ago on this program in 1997. Was the very talented principal harpist for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. And -- pilot. And she returned for an updated conversation. Back in February -- six and retired as a member of the -- on August 24. The symphony and James Levine asked John Williams to write a piece for and to honor her illustrious career the first African American principle player in a major symphony orchestra. And became principal heart of the Boston symphony in 1980 having joined the -- back in 1969. And lucky audiences will get three chances to hear her perform John Williams concerto for heart titled. On willows and purchased first of all next week on opening night at symphony hall on September 23. Then October 1 in new York at Carnegie hall and then back at symphony hall with a DSL on Saturday. October 3 and told me she is so thrilled. With dishonor and you can go to BS so dot org. To see a video of and John Williams and James Levine rehearse this concerto. So this morning I'm going back into the archives to that interview from just three years ago to celebrate the brilliant career of this wonderful woman. And congratulate her on her recent retirement. And now. Exceptional women."

" And exceptional women are everywhere some make headlines others make things happen quietly in their lives in an alliance and the people they love exceptional women are hard to find they're you're neighbors and your friends and we want you to meet them -- good morning I'm looking -- and this morning Illinois home symphony hall of her home away from home for almost forty years is in the spotlight. She was -- on exceptional women in 1997. And she's been invited back to share her story -- focus and perseverance. Her talent simply would not be denied. Despite obstacles in her way to becoming one of the world's preeminent -- And -- pilots the principal harvested the BS so is this week's exceptional woman you know talented musicians who want to rise above all the others with their gifts can't help but give us a thrill and when you sit down with AM Hudson pilot you do feel. Like you -- chatting with musical royalty she is a stunningly beautiful African American woman graceful with a great sense of humor somebody obviously has rolled."

" With the punches but who has sustained a passion for life the life that she has chosen. When I first met man I had to share this funny story with her I told her that she had actually accompanied me. On the -- many decades ago. She looked -- me critically I was able to produce the little concert program from my elementary school Christmas recital in 19638. And was a teenager when she agreed to accompany our little chorus. This isn't suburban Philadelphia where both of us lived at the time. She was playing the heart and I remembered her enthusiasm and how she took time to explain everything to the fifth and sixth graders who were simply all of her. And her talent and she told us she was hoping to play the Harkin an orchestra someday. People who knew I said that we meet again all these years later. She laughed and said she'd like a copy of that program and hobson pilot grew up in house filled with music her mother was a talented professional pianist we started out our conversation talking about early lessons. I said to wear my guess would be that in typical mother daughter fashion. She probably didn't want any part of the piano."

" Well I did for awhile. I started piano when I was about six years old. And you know -- and I heard channel from the time I was born. And of course she was and she was a wonderful concert artists gave many concerts in Europe now. So when I was six years old I decided to start the channel but ten. I didn't like to practice the piano that much. And we lived in Germany for awhile my father was in the army this might affect -- started channel there with her. And when we came back from Europe I guess it was when I started high school I had really had enough of practicing even -- I was taking. Lessons still she knew that I was. Kind of getting by. Quite easily I go to my lessons and every week having practiced about an hour for the whole week -- not fooled everyone except for her. So when they when I came home she said that she had decided to stop my lessons because she didn't want to pay for lessons when I was working well so then I decided to take up another instrument and there -- went to high school until they had a very extensive. Music program there. And all the instruments that I asked for food channel. We're not available thing but the music teacher at the schools that when you take apart. And I said well all right don't try and he says since you have a piano background you know how to reach -- bass -- So that's how I began the harp and loved it from the first day. Really from the very first day Gloria and and I think more it was more that it was something different it was something of my own. In my mother was a pianist my my sister whose two years older than I am playing channel -- but in none of my friends think the heart --"

" And is it true and that when you first start playing. You really have to -- for awhile before your fingers developed that -- groove because that the strings are so hard to handle."

" Your fingers need to get toughened up because is very hard on the fingertips after you've played for awhile you develop palaces on the end of those tips. But when you start your fingers are very soft and if you practice allowed which -- ironically I was doing on the -- You're fingers get sore and can develop blisters and but you know after after awhile after about six months of so. They start getting toughened up."

" Well I think she came around says that the the first one --"

" Came home instead you know I'm gonna take and I decided to take up a heart. At first I thought she was a little bit upset because she really wanted me to play the piano and she was hoping -- come back -- well I've decided to practice. Obviously when things worked out as they did that I became very good at playing -- and very successful at it she was opposite through. And what it clear to your very first -- teacher that you did have a gift yes. Yes she called my parents what happened was I started to -- in January. And summer came and I was using the school -- my -- practice on the -- school when some arcane. That she didn't want me to stop practicing for the the months so she called my. Mother and father insanity and I think she has a certain gifting it wouldn't be possible on -- to rental car and she founded instrument for meat and a little old. Men who owned all these little book broken down hearts. And then we went -- she picked up I think it was fifteen dollars a month to rent this little. Broken down heart I had that instrument until I left high school when they were able to afford to buy me --"

" Where your parents concerned at any point once it became clear that this was not gonna be a hobby this is something that you really wanted to pursue about job opportunities and we think about it you know how many orchestras are there on the planet. And how many carcass are there with each orchestra in the odds are against GO."

" Absolutely. Absolutely as a matter of fact when the -- instructor called my folks when I became -- senior and said. You know I really think she has what it takes to become a professional at this they really were nervous and they sent. That they would allow me to go to conservatory. As long as I went to a place that offered degree in education so I started out at the Philadelphia musical academy. Which offered in a degree in education so I went there for two and a half years I was incurs to transfer to teacher in Cleveland so I transferred out the Cleveland Institute of Music where was offered them. Full scholarship at all however they didn't offer music education. So that's how I got out of the hat --"

" So -- to the old fall back on teaching wasn't gonna work trio. There wasn't any way you wanted to be a music teacher no moon that not at all and it also took away from practice in the heart. Good morning and thanks for joining us this morning on exceptional women and Hudson pilot the principal harpist with a Boston Symphony Orchestra. Is in the spotlight this morning nineteen Vernon and if you -- you Indian. This is an interview down about three years ago with Compaq into the archives of exceptional women this morning. As a way to offer and hobson pilot our warmest congratulations. She has just retired as a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. A member since 1969. And to celebrate her wonderful career the Boston symphony asked John Williams to write a concerto just for and it will be performed next week on opening night at symphony hall September 23 in new York at Carnegie Hall on October 1. And again -- symphony hall. On Saturday October 3 and now more and -- pilot you've seen and play of course with the symphony with the pops with the Washington national symphony and she has been against artist with many orchestras. Not only in the United States. But in Europe New Zealand South Africa and Haiti as well. An avid performer of chamber music and is also a member of the contemporary music ensemble collage. She's the founder of the New England heart trio she's performed with the Boston symphony chamber players. The Marlboro music festival. And the Newport music festival among others and how many years has have been how many years have you been with the Boston Symphony Orchestra."

" 36 years 36. Years time has really flown in it seems like I would say that. Maybe it seems like ten or twelve years that began here in September of 1969. And you began here if I remember correctly and because Arthur -- to play. That's right I was the harpist for three years before coming to Boston. After school I was the principal purpose of the Washington. National symphony in our defeat -- used to come to guess conduct there -- a lot. And when the harpist with the Boston Pops and second with. -- so was announced that she was going to. Retired -- came to me and said you know I've been around hurdle a lot of purpose and I enjoy your playing the most who would would you like to. Addition for the job and of course I was first in Washington. And this to come here would have meant a little bit of a step down incensed. Because it was second -- with the DSL. Even though was first with pops I decided to try for it and I got that job became principal of the that the and so as well as -- pops. In 1980 what is it like to try to become a member of a world renowned orchestra well it's very competitive as you might imagine when I auditions. I think there were about 36 applicants for the one job. But now I mean they can go up to pungent 250 or even more four point job. Where there any women in New York strict time in. Yes it could -- listen I'll and I joined -- both at the same time we became the fourth the -- so that there were five of us analyst that pretty standard for large orchestras to have a small number of women at that slim. That's him in and then we had a small dressing room and as more women came that we had to keep getting larger problems."

" Interestingly enough currently the make up of the Boston Symphony Orchestra 67 men. Tony six women in 2002. And -- pilot recorded a CD of John Williams SA for strings and he said. Quote and -- pilot is unquestionably. One of the preeminent harpist playing today whenever she releases a new recording it is an event in the -- world. I've had the privilege of working with -- hobson for over twenty years. During which time I've never found her playing to be anything less than inspirational. And speaking of being inspirational I'm wondering who -- inspirational. For you who were your role models in life."

" I think my mother was the main influence in my life she was always a very principled. Person and had very strong. Values and a lot of integrity they were also some part construct a sentence I had that are really worked well with -- analysts Alice shall awful and Cleveland. And also a woman in Philly who kind of took an interest to me -- Phillips who just passed away this past year at age 98 I think she was when a caller might mandatory for an hour relief only to confuse lessons with her. But she's the one that encouraged me to go out to Cleveland was able to get a scholarship for me she's the one that that told me once when I was still in high school I think that as an African Americans I was gonna have to really be better than everyone else in order to. Get a job. So that only stuck in my mind that I knew that I would have to really work harder for with scored -- to go just chose it moved."

" Tell me about growing up in the fifties and sixties and going to school and perhaps being the only African American indie music department or in the dorm -- about those experiences."

" Well in the heart -- I was pretty much the only one all all over the -- You know I had some times that we're not. Comfortable -- all -- know when actress went to tick Camden Maine where they had a -- school we all stayed in the same house. And each one of them had been -- had been asked if it was okay if I stated that house and then I remember out at the institute once -- the harp ensemble with -- were twelve. Harp students at the institute at the time and we had a harp -- ensemble. And we were going on a little trip and they were going a little trip to Kentucky. To play at a store. And I was not asked to go and so I asked why I was not asked to go in my teachers said they should call the store to ask if it was okay if they brought a black student and they said no it's not okay."

" And I've gone into the archives to the chat that we had here on exceptional women on magic back in 1997. You shared a story. During that interview. That has really stuck with me and it's about when you first went out to Cleveland the Cleveland institute and your folks dropped you off to the dorm I wanna play that for you."

" My parents have driven me there and so we deposited -- Close -- on that my roommate at that time. And my parents took me out to eat and they were going back to Philadelphia after -- until they -- me back off at school. And I am when I'm going up to my room. It's -- it was a plane and my roommate had moved out. She had refused to us live in the same room with a black person associate moved out of the room and everybody in the dorms. Heard about it until I was new to the school. And so it was a big. Scandal had to deal with it it was her choice thing but it but it was just an embarrassment to me and to. The school I think they didn't change my focus about a I wanted to do with my life so. It was more their problem in my."

" All these years later looking back on stories like that is wanting -- Andy remember he's held at the time well in a way it was hurtful of course but in a way it made me more determined than ever. To succeed you know I was not the kind that would say well. All right they don't want me I give up I'm not gonna. Do this I was the kind that said well I'll show them. You know just become so good that don't want me to play and it was also true that even though I had all these roadblocks when I was young when it came time to get a job. I mean I had the smoothest sailing. Anyone know almost because. I started playing professionally. When I was still a student my senior year at the institute. I would travel to Pittsburgh to -- second car as they needed to hearts when I graduated this specially on the heart it can take years to it get a job -- auditions and -- can take a long time I was going to -- at the time for the summer and that City Council who ranked the harpist and Washington had an injury to her hand it. She totally severed the tip of her finger and so does this was an August and they needed someone to fill in for her they thought for the year. So they called my teacher in Cleveland she recommended me so my first job came is just going down to sign the contract at the I didn't even have to audition for the job and that played for the for that year. And they decided they'd like me so much that they want me to stay. However then Arthur -- came after three years and since you want me to come to the boss and mentality and ended appear and I did have to. Of course auditioned for this job but I mean that is is really pretty smooth transition to getting."

" Absolutely getting almost as if you've never detector resonate and I. Great statement of course it points out how very talented you are but you're a strong willed person and you -- focused. He knew he wanted to do from a very young age and and you made it happened. Because some. Have another cup of coffee on a Sunday morning this is exceptional women I'm gay Vernon and the principal harpist with a Boston Symphony Orchestra and -- pilot. Is this week's exceptional woman. And another reminder this morning we've gone back into the archives to an interview done with -- pilot in February. Of 06. Where wishing and well she has just retired from the DSL on August 24. And John Williams has just written a concerto. Specifically for her shall perform it on opening night at the Boston symphony. On September 23. And I think it's easy to -- the young people would certainly look at you as a role model and a mentor -- can share attend such a great message this is what you wanna do it doesn't matter if there's only one possibility on the planet go for achieving the stars do you work with young people a lot now."

" I do I do I'm I'm actually now I'm on the tackle -- it's at two schools here that new England conservatory of music and Boston university and also have some younger students also. During the summer teach it to Boston University. Tanglewood institute which is all high school kits and to Tanglewood music center but every time I asked when these kids. What do you want to do with a heart to a person almost they always end up saying exactly what I am doing now. Well I wanna be principal harpist with a major symphony and I wanted to teach an -- and play chamber music and -- and balanced and -- I'm going off so yeah I'm sure that they look look at me and think and -- like to do with which she dense."

" What about music and kids are all of our kids being exposed to enough music all different kinds of music I know that you both you and your husband of work to with the Boston schools over the years you've established a series. Of concerts in some of the Caribbean islands as well."

" We had a house in saint Maarten for awhile and we gave some concerts there engine. Raise money for different charities say there and then it it went over to sink oriented in saint Thomas but now we've sold our house there so. We bought a house and Florida and we just gave a concert to raise money for high school there the Booker high school for the performing arts. So we like to do that kind of thing my husband was a music teacher in the Boston schools for years when I met him he was here. And he eventually went more into administration. And he retired and about 95. I think it was -- six and herself. As the director of music for the city of Boston we've been to dismayed about how music has been. Disappearing in the schools and that's not -- chewing Boston. As I said -- I got my start in the schools so to to me it was very important to have music offered in the schools not only for kids that are gonna. Become professionals but I mean I think there have been studies done. We're Q is that play instruments learned the discipline of practice how it. It carries over to every facet of their life so I think it's unfortunate that music is not as much in the schools as it used to be."

" Is it possible for you to put into words what you think the power of music really is. Well."

" It can change your emotions manager sandy can make you happy here happy if you wanna be sanity can listen to a certain kind of music that can do that so I mean it really is. It can be very influential in your moods."

" I also think it's so interesting because it can mean so many different things the same piece of music. If if you are professional and you're sitting on the state -- and -- playing that music you're getting such a different experience out of it than I am sitting in the audience and yet all of the experiences are good."

" This has turned ten are pleased music and developed for example in my father doubt it was there was a certain piece of music as much Mahler to. That -- elected listen to because it kind of brought to that that's called the resurrection symphony and you know -- I thought of him going up and to have been in and it it it kind of made me feel better about the whole thing. So that's what I meant -- I said that the music can be used to change your mood."

" And you know when most of us say we've got to get up get dressed in go to work it's not symphony hall that is our final destination and I know it is your job and there are rehearsals and it technically is work. But for most of us. Being on that stage as a prominent part of an institution like the BSO has got to be so very special so what is it really like the experience. What do you think about when you're sitting up there on stage."

" Well most of the time I think about the notes that I have to play. But I mean it's the most exhilarating experience to be sitting in the middle of a hundred or more players and having this incredible sound all around you it's much more than a job it's like going to a concert but being in the middle of it. It's a wonderful life."

" believe me it sounds wonderful and you probably can't imagine doing anything else but. I'm guessing they're probably lots of new challenges ahead."

" In Karzai says I'm planning to retire and a few years and I don't think that I will have any orchestral experiences. Anymore I'll still be playing chamber music and giving lessons I hope then maybe doing some concerto work but I won't have that experience of sitting in the middle of the -- orchestra for. Mahler to Vietnam but I think after forty plus years. That there are a lot of other things that I would like to do that I don't get a chance to do them like why well when we go to. Florida and I love sports on my left to play. Tennis and swim you ride bikes I might even try my hand it's not necessarily composing -- ranging from things for heart the repertoire for the -- is. Not all that extensive so I might do something like that and hasn't set a still hope to continue to teach because I love that."

" Good morning you've tuned in to exceptional women here on magic one of six point seven. I'm gay Vernon and I'm talking this morning with our guest and hobson pilot the principal harpist at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Almost ten years ago and had an experience that would have been unthinkable during the days of apart tied she told me at the time when she returned. It was so amazing on many different levels truly a musical journey of a lifetime as she flew to South Africa. She was invited to perform as a soloist with the national symphony of Johannesburg. Memorable time for both she and her husband. So why -- to look back and remember for us this morning."

" And 199697. That took sabbatical from the DSL and rather than just lounge on the beach the entire year my husband and I decided we wanted to go to Africa I decided I would research the Argentine the -- I was telling a tennis friend of mine who works for GBH about this and she says where they might like to accompany you in the chip maker of video. And that's exactly what what happened there was a cameraman and a sound guy that was all that came on the trip I was the soloist with the national symphony of Johannesburg. -- a piece written by. William Grant still called and manga and and and anger is an African harp. And they film that they film me giving hadn't master class in Johannesburg and then we went out into the co Hari. They they have a small five string instrument called in what -- they played for me I tried to play there or watch she. And then we showed a film of the concert that I just. And all this was on film and they made a half hour video documentary called an -- pilot a musical journey which we've shown nationwide for about three years between any ethernet 2000 more so was a fascinating little experience and yes I did always -- get back there and no I haven't yet. But eventually we do hope to -- it Bakken and we we were there about five weeks which was -- a matter of time but -- there's so much Morrissey."

" But you're actually sitting with people that had no idea that there -- little instrument had somehow become this is giant instrument that you show the pictures up that must've been fascinating."

" Exactly am sure they they had never seen the full sized heart because he could tell by their reaction that they were. Absolutely astounded when they saw me trying to say it."

" You know I wonder how many of us know about the origins of the -- did we even wonder. That the original harp was created somewhere in Africa that's so interesting and it makes me think about the image of the heart and the -- too and I remember and you thome wants about an odd comment. That you received and it didn't even really come from a complete stranger can you say it was a friend or acquaintance."

" I was in their home and they had a picture on the wall of a woman playing a -- this person turned to me and point attendance and now she looks like. A -- is supposed to look. With long blond hair it was amusing for her to be telling me that but I guess the image of the -- with women with long bond -- and flowing --"

" You've been listening to an interview that was recorded about three years ago I went back into the archives specifically. This morning. So that all of us here at magic and exceptional women could extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to hand. After forty amazing years with the Boston symphony. The principal harpist and -- in pilot. Has just retired at the end of the summer season out at Tanglewood and to -- and her talent and her dedication to the orchestra all these years. The symphony and James Levine asked John Williams to write a piece for and he wrote a concerto for heart title on willows. And purchase and she'll perform it on opening night Wednesday September 23 again in new York at Carnegie Hall on October 1. And again at symphony hall on Saturday October 3. You can find out about tickets and seeing video band rehearsing this -- and -- John Williams talk all about why he wrote it for her by going to BS so dot."

" Or you are now listening to a recording it and made quite a few years ago at the African meeting house right here in Boston in 1991. It's from her first solo CD -- and hobson pilots. Years ago Richard Dyer of the Boston Globe wrote -- and -- pilots technique is poised between virtuoso strength. And poetic subtlety and she is capable of producing an enormous range of volume. And a full spectrum of color and best of all she is a real communicators she believes in what she is doing in what the music pastor saying. My thanks to and for joining me this morning on exceptional women. If you know someone who has beaten the -- in the toughest of times made a contribution to her community just get intelligent magic 1067. Dot com. Nine TE Vernon please John let partner candy and Terry and me every Sunday morning at 730. For exceptional women radio portraits of women who will inspire you. Yeah. -- Okay."