LET’S GO BACK TO THE BOW

Leading an amateur string ensemble channels a love for teaching

Gaylene Joe Walter, Phi Chi, Fresno Alumni

Have you ever wanted to lead a group of adult musicians who love to play but never pursued it professionally?

That is exactly how the Fresno, California, group called Back to the Bow came to be. One of our founding members reminded me at a recent practice that 2022 was the group’s 20th anniversary.

Back to the Bow began as small group of adult musicians who had played a string instrument in their youth. They were all studying privately again with a local string teacher who encouraged ensemble playing for their own enjoyment. One participant, a doctor, enjoyed playing in ensembles along with his 8-year-old son. He suggested finding someone to lead and rehearse the group on a regular basis. Many ideas were bounced around such as paying the leader, meeting on a weekly basis and finding a venue in which to meet. It was finally decided that we would meet twice a month and Back to the Bow was born.

I volunteered to organize and lead the rehearsals and performances after attending one of their sessions. I also choose the music and find venues where we can perform. The group members suggest venues as well. We have performed for many events, including open houses, private parties, weddings, assisted living facility programs and funerals. We do not get paid, but we happily accept food for our time.

We started off meeting at Vintage Gardens, an assisted living facility where my mother was a resident. The facility asked us to perform for them one evening a month in exchange for a free facility in which to rehearse. We practiced for our monthly performances here or used the residents as a dress rehearsal for upcoming performances at other venues. Over the years, the group has grown from its eight founding members to over 25 string players. Members include both practicing and retired educators, health professionals, administrators, computer techs, construction workers, librarians, agriculture specialists, accountants and even a lawyer.

In December, the Fresno Alumni chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon usually presents a public program. I have been fortunate enough to have the Mu Phi members join Back to the Bow in presenting a joint holiday program to the residents at Vintage Gardens. Fraternity members sing or play holiday arrangements along with Back to the Bow and then we accompany the residents in a sing-along. This is the most enjoyable part for me as I am able to get out amongst the residents and interact with them while the musicians are playing as an ensemble. My goal is for the group to be able to play without a leader.

Our main thrust throughout the years has been to play for assisted living facilities or for patients in the hospital. This was made very difficult with the onset of COVID-19 and the quarantines. We had to stop meeting and stop playing. This was a challenging time for the group. I tried to keep up group morale by sending out an upbeat monthly newsletter with encouraging quotes and updates on the lives of our members. Others told me they appreciated the enthusiasm and inspiration I delivered, in spite of being in a funk myself during the pandemic and quarantine.

Leading Back to the Bow is a way of channeling my love of teaching, playing in various groups and choosing repertoire. I was an elementary and middle school string orchestra teacher before retiring. I choose much of the group’s repertoire from my middle school’s library and suggestions from the group. We like playing “de-rangements” — my term for watered-down versions of the classics — which make for fun sight-reading sessions and accommodate little practice time before a performance. I love the way we can put together a performance with minimal rehearsal time.

In May 2022, after we played a patriotic Memorial Day concert at an assisted living facility, one of the residents came up and spoke to one of our members. The resident said that she had received bad news earlier in the day, and coming to hear us play really lifted her spirits. Another resident mentioned that she really enjoyed our music; that it was nice and soothing and not a loud ruckus like some of the music they hear. Another resident came up to me and told me that her son played the violin. Intrigued, I inquired more. In further conversation with her, I discovered that her son and I know each other, taught together and played in some of the same groups together. What a small world!

One of my favorite venues to play is Vintage Gardens. We have played there for so long that we know many of the residents. One member noticed that there was a certain lady who always sat close enough to be her stand partner. The member asked the resident if she would like to help turn the pages. The resident very excitedly nodded her head, so as she played the member told the resident when to turn the pages. The resident was very happy to be doing this. The member said that you never realize how much of an impact you make on someone until you see it yourself.

One of the residents at Vintage Gardens was a composer. He really enjoyed it when we came to practice or perform. He was always the first one to show up. He liked us so much that he composed a piece called “Back to the Bow” for us. We had to practice it a few times without him present before we finally played it for him. He was so happy. He told us that he had had a piece performed by a major orchestra in the past. He was our resident composer/arranger until he passed away. A few of the residents or guests even like to conduct the group when I need help. One guest was a retired band director, so I knew he could handle it!

Back to the Bow members enjoy the camaraderie with fellow musicians and the rapport we develop with our audiences. They like that the group is so laid back and everyone is supportive and nonjudgmental. One member even complimented me on my patience with the playing skills of the group. I do it because I love it.

If you enjoy leading and playing in a group of amateur musicians, I highly encourage you to keep your eyes and ears open for the opportunity. There are some willing musicians who can make your dreams come true. They may even become your second family — mine did!