Team Vance musicians help launch song in the air

  • Published
  • By Capt. Tony Wickman
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  It is said that music soothes the soul and sharpens the senses.

For the people of Vance looking to put some musical salve on their spirits and fine tuning their senses, the opportunity is just around the corner from the base.
The Enid Symphony Orchestra, 301 W. Broadway, holds a regular concert series every year and this year is no different. In fact, music director Doug Newell and his orchestra are preparing for shows Saturday and Sunday to put a different sound in the air than jet noise.

For people's listening enjoyment, the Enid Symphony Orchestra, celebrating 100 years in Enid, will play Mozart's Don Giovanni opera, Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1 and a few other pieces that will stir one's feelings.
But pay close attention to the people playing the music; a familiar face from base may be recognizable. That is because there are three people with ties to Vance playing instruments.

2nd Lt. Joy Lee, student pilot in class 08-04, Capt. Fred Deakins, 71st Operations Group, and Mrs. Cindy Jones, wife of Master Sgt. David Jones, 71st Operations Support Squadron, are all members of the orchestra.

For violinist Lee, who has been at Vance a little more than a month, being part of the orchestra gives her a chance to reconnect to music after taking a break and learn about the inside working of the music she plays.

"It is always exciting to play with new people in a new place. The Mozart overture and Liszt concerto are familiar to me, but in rehearsal our director works to achieve deeper musical meaning. By explaining Mozart's intentions for parts of Don Giovanni, for example, he wants us to play with more musicality" said Lieutenant Lee. " He takes the time to explain the history of the music and how the composer was influenced. It is nice to know that kind of background so you know how to play it."

Lieutenant Lee, who sits in the second stand in the second violin section, was hoping to find a local symphony in the town where she was being assigned, and low and behold she found one in Enid.

"I started taking cello lessons from one of the orchestra members. She suggested I call and see if I could audition," said Lieutenant Lee. "I called the director and we met at the concert hall. I played some of the pieces I was working on and he had me read some things. Afterwards he placed me where he I thought I could play."

Lieutenant Lee, who sits in the second stand in the second string section, was hoping to find a local symphony in the town where she was being assigned, and low and behold she found one in Enid.

"I met one of the orchestra members because she was teaching me some cello. She suggested I call and see if I could audition," said Lieutenant Lee. "I called the director and we met at the concert hall. I played some of the pieces I was working on and he had me read some things he wanted me to read. Afterwards he placed me where he I thought I could play."

It is a similar story trumpeter Deakins tells when he joined the orchestra three years ago.

"I was getting a loan for my house and bumped into one of the symphony board of directors and was surprised to find out there was a symphony orchestra here in town," said Captain Deakins. "So I took my family to a concert and couldn't believe just how great they sounded. I was looking to do something outside of flying and music has always been a passion of mine, so it seemed a perfect fit. I consider myself blessed to be able to be a part of this fine group of professionals."

For the trumpet player with 24 years of playing experience, this weekend's concert is also a somber one.

"This is a sad concert for me because I am leaving the service and will soon leave Enid to relocate my family to Austin, Texas" said Captain Deakins, who is separating from the Air Force to join Southwest Airlines in the coming months. "I've played 25-30 concerts in my time on the symphony and this one will likely be my last. I will still stay connected and if I can't play in Austin I will at the very least attend the symphony."

According to the captain, the two things he will take away from his time on the symphony are the friendships and the music.

"I will always cherish the friendships built not only with the musicians in the symphony but also with Doug Newell and his family," said Captain Deakins. "Additionally, the musical experience has been genuinely refreshing and transforming on a personal level...it was overall a truly great experience."

For Mrs. Jones, who plays the flute, playing in the symphony was a risk she wanted to take.

"I knew about the symphony when I got here three years ago, but it was not something I thought I could do," said Mrs. Jones. "One summer I decided I would really like to play again. I was told to audition, so I went and rented an instrument and practiced. It was a 10 year gap from the last time I played, but I gave myself a chance...I let myself go and saw what would happen."

What happened was she earned a spot about a year ago and has thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

"I've played four or five concerts now. Every time I come home from rehearsal it is a high," she said. "It is more than a hobby; it is a part of me. I don't think I can give it up now. I even asked my husband that when he retires can we stay here so I can keep playing in the symphony."

As for what she says people can expect from going to the concerts, Mrs. Jones said people should prepare for an experience.

"Expect a really beautiful experience with lots of moods. You will get a different experience with each of our concerts," she said.

According to Mr. Newell, who has been with the symphony for more than 24 years, he has enjoyed having Vance people as part of the orchestra.

"I'm always delighted to have someone from the base in the orchestra, and I've had probably around 30 people in my time here," Mr. Newell said. "My guess would be that there are not a lot of communities where guests can come in and not only do their military training but take part in an extra curricular activity. We have had instructor pilots, students and family members take part in the symphony."

For Mr. Newell, he hopes that each Vance member who participates in the symphony takes away a bond with Enid.

"I hope one thing they take away is a tie to the community. I hope they come back and be with us in later years. That is just as important as the musical experience that they have," said Mr. Newell.

For Vance people interested in tickets for the Saturday or Sunday concerts, or for season passes, call 237-9646. For an additional bonus, don't forget to ask for your 10 percent military discount.