Player Portrait

Lynne Finch

Violin

First season with the Oregon Symphony:

1981-1982

Most influential teacher(s):

My parents, although not musicians themselves, understood the lasting value of studying an instrument and encouraged my siblings and I to take private lessons. My musical life began with the encouragement of my first piano teacher, Barbara Cole. On the violin, Raphael Spiro taught me so much about how to practice and strive for excellence. Francisca Koescielny brought me to the emotion and passion in music.

Earliest musical memory:

Begging my parents for piano lessons at age 4, after I heard my sister practicing, and then learning to read music with little alphabet blocks for notes!

"I first knew I would make music my career when ... "

As a music major at Lewis and Clark College, I explored many different subjects, but I always came back to music.

"Other than performing music, I've always thought it might be fun to be a ... "

Floral arranger, surrounded by an endless supply of fresh flowers.

Favorite composer and/or period?

As is true for many of my colleagues, there is a piece or composer from every period of classical music that I love, or that becomes a renewed favorite, but if I had to choose a composer that I could not be without, it would probably be Bach, Mozart or Chopin.

What does this photograph say about your life?

Our children are our greatest joy and bring a wonderful focus to everything we do! We love to ski as a family and make as many memories with our children as we can, which of course, includes musical ones!

What do you enjoy most about performing?

There is a heightened anticipation that goes with performing … the expectation of presenting the music for this audience on this day keeps each live performance different from any other.

Other than playing great music, what do you see as the Symphony's most important role?

To heighten the awareness of live classical music as a common language and an essential part of a thriving city such as Portland, so that new people may discover it and those already familiar can continue to draw on its power.

What is your favorite part of being a member of the Oregon Symphony?

I love the team work and exchange that is essential on so many levels ... between stand partners, section members and the entire orchestra together. There is nothing quite like being a part of such a large musical expression.

Musician Moment Player Portrait