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The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
NEWS OF NOTE
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The BSO welcomes Victor Holmes
as the 2014–2015 orchestra fellow.
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BSO WELCOMES
Orchestra Fellow
Victor Holmes
In September 2014, bassist Victor Holmes was
named the 2014 –2015 season BSO orchestra
fellow. The fellowship is intended as a year-round
mentorship program for talented young musicians of
color. While in residence with the BSO, Mr. Holmes
performs concerts with the Orchestra and works
with education and community engagement initiatives including OrchKids, OrchLab and the Baltimore
Symphony Youth Orchestras. He is mentored by
BSO Principal Bass Bob Barney in preparation for the
several orchestral auditions he plans to take this year.
Get to know Victor a bit better here, and be sure
to keep an eye out for him on upcoming concerts such
as Mahler’s Third Symphony, Haydn & Ravel and
Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony!
How long have you been studying bass? I began
playing bass in an after-school string program run by my
mother in the fifth grade. From fifth grade through senior
year of high school, I played the bass solely in the public
school string program and did not receive formal lessons
until I was a freshman at Texas Christian University.
How are you enjoying working with the BSO
so far? I find that I have been more motivated in these first
few months than I have been in the past couple of years
because of the opportunity to sit side-by-side with
professional musicians on a regular basis.
You’ve only been in the city for a few months, but
what’s your favorite thing about Baltimore? I like the
sense of community in my neighborhood and I like visiting
areas like Fells Point and the Harbor. It is nice to be near
water and have access to great seafood. I hope to explore
more in the future.
How does it feel to be mentored by Principal Bass
Bob Barney? I feel privileged. Bob Barney is very skilled
and experienced as a bass player, principal and as a
member on audition committees. With my priority being
auditioning for a full-time position of my own, our time
spent together is valuable because his advice and musical
suggestions are full of insight that is directed towards me
being successful in winning a full time job of my own.
www. bsomusic .org