Maestro Gunnar Sahlin celebrates 20 years of dedicated leadership
FCSS recently commemorated Gunnar Sahlin’s 20th anniversary as musical director! On September 26, 2023, FCSS members as well as family and friends gathered at Cedar Point Yacht Club in Westport to enjoy a potluck and “play-in” celebration— only this time, Gunnar traded in his baton for his cello, joining the ensemble in a surprise ABBA medley to honor his Swedish roots!
We asked FCSS members (past and present, near and far) to share some memories and well wishes to mark the occasion:
Gunnar, Congratulations on this wonderful milestone!! Thank you for your leadership these past 20 years. Your easygoing, welcoming, enthusiastic leadership has given the gift of music to us all. Watching you lead the group on my very first visit, I knew that FCSS was the right place for me to renew my relationship with the cello. I have witnessed the orchestra and my own personal playing grow over the years thanks to your encouragement. With heartfelt thanks! - J.W.
Greetings from Massachusetts! One highlight for me was playing 5th cello for the opening of William Tell Overture in rehearsal quite a long time ago. Gunnar was preparing to play it with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. It was a thrilling experience. My first time playing with FCSS was as a bassoonist and we played a Beethoven Symphony. It was a huge group back then!! Another reminiscence is hoping that the heat wouldn’t come on at Merit Music as it thumped so loudly it was difficult to play. Huge benefits I got from playing here were getting to play chamber music with other string players. I played in a string cello quartet, occasional string quartets with various people and cello duos […] All my best to the group and Gunnar. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years!! - W.S.
What a wonderful idea to honor Gunnar! I played with the FCSS from 2010 to 2019, when I moved to Vermont. It was one of the things that I enjoyed most about living in lower Fairfield County. I looked forward to every rehearsal. I loved sight-reading through string quartets and other chamber music as a group and got to play many pieces that I had not played before, as most orchestras focus on music for a full orchestra. I loved playing in a smaller group and having my "voice" heard. Gunnar was always appreciative of every person's contribution, no matter what skill level they brought to FCSS. You didn't have to be great to have a great time playing in the FCSS and to feel welcome there. I really enjoyed socializing during snack break, which other orchestras don't do because eating gums up wind and brass instruments!. I really enjoyed Gunnar's laid back approach to making music at FCSS, and I fondly remember the expression on his face whenever he heard something that was wildly out of tune! No criticism, just a look on his face. Please express my thanks to him! - L.L.
FCSS looks forward to another amazing 20 years with Gunnar Sahlin!
