Brad Staats describes the computer screensaver of him sitting behind a drum kit as a conversation starter.
The recently retired manufacturing management consultant said clients would often ask about the picture, giving him the opportunity to share about his off-work passion as an orchestra musician.
“Music’s my hobby. I’m not a professional; I’m reminded every time I perform,” Staats said. “I think I’m a pretty good amateur. I’m very proud of what I do.”
Staats is principal percussionist for the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra, where he has performed for more than 30 years. Those performances spanned his more than 40 years working as a manager, CEO and ultimately consultant in manufacturing management.
“There are a lot of musicians out there. There are not a lot that can claim they are working in an orchestra,” Staats said.
He is one of the more than 50 performers and musicians in the LCSO. Like many of his colleagues who are not professional musicians, he spent his career in another profession while devoting his time to performing music at a professional level with the symphony.
Emily Yiannias, LCSO’s executive director, said her performers’ diverse backgrounds are what make the orchestra unique. The symphony originally was founded by members of the community as a community orchestra, she said.
“Some members are making their living as musicians, but some make their living doing something entirely different,” Yiannias said. Orchestra members who are not professional musicians have jobs such as doctors, lawyers and educators, among others. All LCSO members are paid.
“These are people who have played instruments their whole life at a high level and continued that level consistently all their lives,” Yiannias said. “It’s pretty remarkable.”
Kathleen Lang, who plays the horn for LCSO, began her career in music on the south side of Chicago after graduating with an undergraduate degree in music education.
“It was an amazing life-changing experience,” Lang said. The experience prompted her to attend law school, a move she is not sure she would have made if she did not work in those urban schools. After law school, Lang said she did not play the horn much.
However, after she married and moved to New Buffalo, Michigan, Lang said she had an opportunity to see the LCSO perform. She then realized she could become part of the group even while pursuing her career as an attorney, educator and ultimately judge. Lang has been playing with the orchestra for 35 years.
Lang announced her retirement in July after almost two decades on the bench as senior judge in La Porte Superior Court in Michigan City. She continues to work as an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame and guest lectured this spring at Masaryk University Faculty of Law in the Czech Republic.
“It’s a vocation,” Lang said of her passion for performing with the orchestra. “People come from so many walks of life,” Lang said.
Some are professional musicians, two doctors, a farmer or two, and an engineer. “There are a lot of people who never would be together if it wasn’t for music.”
For example, bassoon player Cindy Ault sold eggs from her farm. “Where else can you buy eggs in the symphony? She still was a pretty dedicated musician to play at that level,” Lang said. “These are folks that whatever their career, they still put a lot of time and effort in.”
Colleagues often were surprised to learn Lang was a member of the orchestra. Lang also plays the bagpipes.
“The other judges, they are surprised about it,” Lang said, adding all the jurists have their thing.
Like many of her fellow orchestra members, Lang plays in summer bands during the offseason in various places.
“Obviously music is a passion. Music communicates in a way that nothing else really communicates. I feel real lucky to be able to do that,” Lang said.
LCSO musicians are in high demand. The Jazz Trio and a couple string quartets are sought after for performances and events like weddings.
Preparing for a concert can be rigorous, especially when balancing family, career and the orchestra. There are intensive rehearsals in the three to four weeks leading up to a performance. The musicians often learn a lot of the pieces from scratch.
“We are all there to strive for that professional level,” Staats said.
