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Our Musical Director
Gunnar Sahlin, cellist, received his BA with a focus on Art History, English and Musicology from the Universities of Uppsala and Stockholm, Sweden. After 3 years of music study at the Academy of Music in Prague, Czechoslovakia, he joined the Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra in 1975. As a member of that orchestra Sahlin participated in tours all over Europe and in the US, playing with world famous soloists and conductors. The orchestra appears at the annual Nobel Prize Ceremonies at the Stockholm Concert Hall.
In 1979-80 Sahlin studied at Juilliard School of Music in New York City during a sabbatical. In 1987 Sahlin had the opportunity to perform for and learn from Yo-Yo Ma in a Master Class at the Stockholm Concert Hall. Sahlin moved to Greenwich, CT in 1988 and is a freelancing musician in Fairfield County and New York. In 2002 he became the Principal Cellist of Norwalk Symphony Orchestra and in 2009 assistant principal cellist of the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra. Recent studies with Leslie Parnas have been very rewarding.
In 2003, Sahlin became the musical director of the Fairfield County Symphony Society.
“The most satisfying aspect for me is noticing constant musical improvement. Don’t be afraid to come and try us out.”
“In this ensemble I try to combine a great deal of fun music making with some instructional aspects. We always start with different scales and bowing exercises for about ten minutes. Then we pick and choose from our repertory library. Often we read string quartets, but sometimes we invite wind players and play symphonies. The positive atmosphere in the group is palpable, and I always welcome constructive suggestions, such as playing the same piece a couple of weeks in a row so those who want to practice their parts can do so. The most satisfying aspect for me is noticing constant musical improvement. Don’t be afraid to come and try us out. Should you want to come without your instrument the first time, you are welcome to listen. And we do welcome listeners at any time.”