Featured Musicians
Sherie Aguirre, Principal Oboe
Where are you from?
I was born in Dover, Delaware. My early youth was spent in northern parts of New Jersey and briefly in Pennsylvania. The last 3 years of high school we moved to Schenectady, New York.
When did you start playing? What made you choose your instrument?
I began playing piano at age 5 and then at 10 years old I started playing the clarinet. The way I remember it, my band director encouraged (tricked) me into switching to the oboe because no one else was playing it at the time and therefore I would get all the solos. So I guess the oboe picked me in that case! I was playing in the back of the elementary school clarinet section and moved right up to the front of the oboe section!
Where did you go to school?
I received a BM in performance from Indiana University. I immediately started a Masters in performance at Northwestern University but it was interrupted by my first professional orchestra job. I wanted to get back to finish but that never happened.
Tell us about your audition experiences?
I won several more auditions in various countries and played outside of the US for 8 years. My first audition back in the US was for the Virginia Symphony in 1987. The rest is history!
Describe your musical life in Hampton Roads.
My musical life in Hampton Roads could not be more fulfilling. Aside from playing in the Virginia Symphony I am on the adjunct faculty at two universities and maintain a full private teaching studio as well. With opportunities to play Chamber music with the Virginia Arts Festival and an occasional church service playing with the local choirs truly rounds out a very rewarding musical life.
What do you miss most during the pandemic?
The pandemic has done to me what it has done to artists around the globe - it has robbed us of doing what we are trained to do and love doing - playing with our colleagues.
Have you acquired any new skills or hobbies over these many months?
I will say that the exorbitant amount of free time we had while furloughed allowed me to check off an item on my bucket . I took a beginning French class at ODU to begin the journey of learning a new language. The virtual class was Covid friendly and wonderfully challenging. I also renewed my love of photography with an online teacher in California to help get me up to speed on digital photography. And I never had to leave home.
What are your interests outside of music?
I love to cook, ride my bike and watch great movies on Netflix with my husband! Traveling has always been my number one hobby and it will resume as soon as it is safe.
What is your most memorable musical experience?
I would have to say that the most challenging and memorable experience was playing and recording Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde for the Virginia Arts Festival with JoAnn Falleta conducting. Any time I play Mahler with JoAnn it is memorable.
Is there a question everyone asks you once they know what instrument you play?
There are a surprising number of people that do not know that professional oboists make their own reeds. They assume that we go to the local music store to get them. They almost always ask me how long it takes to make a reed and how long they last.
What do you enjoy about living in Hampton Roads?
This part of the country, and more specifically Hampton Roads is a wonderful place to live. Four lovely mild seasons, the Atlantic ocean within a stone's throw and beautiful mountains a car ride away.
Is there anything else you want us to know about you?
I married a wonderful violinist, Jorge, and we have a beautiful son Daniel who just recently married. It's been a wonderful 33 years and counting in the VSO.
I was born in Dover, Delaware. My early youth was spent in northern parts of New Jersey and briefly in Pennsylvania. The last 3 years of high school we moved to Schenectady, New York.
When did you start playing? What made you choose your instrument?
I began playing piano at age 5 and then at 10 years old I started playing the clarinet. The way I remember it, my band director encouraged (tricked) me into switching to the oboe because no one else was playing it at the time and therefore I would get all the solos. So I guess the oboe picked me in that case! I was playing in the back of the elementary school clarinet section and moved right up to the front of the oboe section!
Where did you go to school?
I received a BM in performance from Indiana University. I immediately started a Masters in performance at Northwestern University but it was interrupted by my first professional orchestra job. I wanted to get back to finish but that never happened.
Tell us about your audition experiences?
I won several more auditions in various countries and played outside of the US for 8 years. My first audition back in the US was for the Virginia Symphony in 1987. The rest is history!
Describe your musical life in Hampton Roads.
My musical life in Hampton Roads could not be more fulfilling. Aside from playing in the Virginia Symphony I am on the adjunct faculty at two universities and maintain a full private teaching studio as well. With opportunities to play Chamber music with the Virginia Arts Festival and an occasional church service playing with the local choirs truly rounds out a very rewarding musical life.
What do you miss most during the pandemic?
The pandemic has done to me what it has done to artists around the globe - it has robbed us of doing what we are trained to do and love doing - playing with our colleagues.
Have you acquired any new skills or hobbies over these many months?
I will say that the exorbitant amount of free time we had while furloughed allowed me to check off an item on my bucket . I took a beginning French class at ODU to begin the journey of learning a new language. The virtual class was Covid friendly and wonderfully challenging. I also renewed my love of photography with an online teacher in California to help get me up to speed on digital photography. And I never had to leave home.
What are your interests outside of music?
I love to cook, ride my bike and watch great movies on Netflix with my husband! Traveling has always been my number one hobby and it will resume as soon as it is safe.
What is your most memorable musical experience?
I would have to say that the most challenging and memorable experience was playing and recording Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde for the Virginia Arts Festival with JoAnn Falleta conducting. Any time I play Mahler with JoAnn it is memorable.
Is there a question everyone asks you once they know what instrument you play?
There are a surprising number of people that do not know that professional oboists make their own reeds. They assume that we go to the local music store to get them. They almost always ask me how long it takes to make a reed and how long they last.
What do you enjoy about living in Hampton Roads?
This part of the country, and more specifically Hampton Roads is a wonderful place to live. Four lovely mild seasons, the Atlantic ocean within a stone's throw and beautiful mountains a car ride away.
Is there anything else you want us to know about you?
I married a wonderful violinist, Jorge, and we have a beautiful son Daniel who just recently married. It's been a wonderful 33 years and counting in the VSO.
Beverly Kane Baker, Principal Viola
A special message from Beverly: “On October 31, 2020, I will end my 37 year career with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with such wonderful musicians. Not only are they amazing at music making, but they are very special people and I am incredibly blessed to have them as friends and colleagues forever.
My relationship with the orchestra has been a unique one. I heard them at the age of 9 attending my first young person's concert. At the age of 16, I sat on the last stand of violas to learn how to play in an orchestra. I have enjoyed sitting principal viola since 1994 with the greatest viola section and I will miss them dearly, as I will all the symphony musicians. I am a native of the Hampton Roads area and to be able to work with my hometown orchestra has been even more special to me. I will always be part of the Virginia Symphony family and will give them my love and support as they move forward. I plan on spending more time with my husband and extended family and attending as many VSO concerts as I can. I hope to sub wirh the orchestra on occasion and attend the ladies clothing exchanges of course. As the orchestra moves forward, I will be the biggest and loudest cheerleader!”
My relationship with the orchestra has been a unique one. I heard them at the age of 9 attending my first young person's concert. At the age of 16, I sat on the last stand of violas to learn how to play in an orchestra. I have enjoyed sitting principal viola since 1994 with the greatest viola section and I will miss them dearly, as I will all the symphony musicians. I am a native of the Hampton Roads area and to be able to work with my hometown orchestra has been even more special to me. I will always be part of the Virginia Symphony family and will give them my love and support as they move forward. I plan on spending more time with my husband and extended family and attending as many VSO concerts as I can. I hope to sub wirh the orchestra on occasion and attend the ladies clothing exchanges of course. As the orchestra moves forward, I will be the biggest and loudest cheerleader!”
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Where are you from?
I was born in Newport News, Virginia and came up through the Hampton Public School System.
When did you start playing?
I began private violin lessons at the age of 6.
Where did you go to school?
I attended the Juilliard School of Music's precollege division and received a Bachelor of Music in Performance from University of Missouri-Columbia.
Tell us about your audition experience winning your job with the VSO.
I auditioned in 1983 for a section viola position. I was appointed Assistant Principal in 1989. I was Acting Principal Viola 1992-1994 and won the principal position "officially" in 1994.
Describe your musical life here in Hampton Roads.
I enjoy performing and making music with my colleagues. I am a member of the Ambrosia Quartet which allows me to play chamber music. I play with my church band and I have the opportunity to coach young musicians with the local youth orchestras.
What do you miss the most during the pandemic, musically and/or non-musically speaking?
I do miss playing with my colleagues and also the community we have within the orchestra. I miss the potluck dinners and the ladies getting together for clothing exchanges and going out during the holidays.
Did you acquire any new skills or hobbies during quarantine?
I think my cooking skills have improved a bit.
What music are you listening to?
I listen to gospel, jazz and classical music.
What are your interests outside of music?
I love playing in my church band. It has helped me flow more with improvisation and I love that. I have had more time with Norman, my husband of 41 years. We enjoy fishing on occasion and visiting our extended families in Hampton and Chesapeake and Pennsylvania.
What is your most memorable musical experience?
I would have to say April 15, 1997. The VSO's Carnegie Hall debut. Bernstein's Mass was memorable. YoYo Ma performing with VSO. Victor Wooten performing with the VSO on the night my Aunt Katherine (Katherine Johnson) was honored.
Is there a question everyone asks you once they know what instrument you play?
What made you switch to viola?
What do you enjoy about living in Hampton Roads?
I like being close to the ocean and being close to extended family.
Is there anything else you want us to know about you?
I have a special relationship with the VSO. I heard them at the age of 9 at a young people's concert. I played in the back of the viola section as a teenager and have been with the orchestra since 1983..my hometown orchestra..that is special to me.
I was born in Newport News, Virginia and came up through the Hampton Public School System.
When did you start playing?
I began private violin lessons at the age of 6.
Where did you go to school?
I attended the Juilliard School of Music's precollege division and received a Bachelor of Music in Performance from University of Missouri-Columbia.
Tell us about your audition experience winning your job with the VSO.
I auditioned in 1983 for a section viola position. I was appointed Assistant Principal in 1989. I was Acting Principal Viola 1992-1994 and won the principal position "officially" in 1994.
Describe your musical life here in Hampton Roads.
I enjoy performing and making music with my colleagues. I am a member of the Ambrosia Quartet which allows me to play chamber music. I play with my church band and I have the opportunity to coach young musicians with the local youth orchestras.
What do you miss the most during the pandemic, musically and/or non-musically speaking?
I do miss playing with my colleagues and also the community we have within the orchestra. I miss the potluck dinners and the ladies getting together for clothing exchanges and going out during the holidays.
Did you acquire any new skills or hobbies during quarantine?
I think my cooking skills have improved a bit.
What music are you listening to?
I listen to gospel, jazz and classical music.
What are your interests outside of music?
I love playing in my church band. It has helped me flow more with improvisation and I love that. I have had more time with Norman, my husband of 41 years. We enjoy fishing on occasion and visiting our extended families in Hampton and Chesapeake and Pennsylvania.
What is your most memorable musical experience?
I would have to say April 15, 1997. The VSO's Carnegie Hall debut. Bernstein's Mass was memorable. YoYo Ma performing with VSO. Victor Wooten performing with the VSO on the night my Aunt Katherine (Katherine Johnson) was honored.
Is there a question everyone asks you once they know what instrument you play?
What made you switch to viola?
What do you enjoy about living in Hampton Roads?
I like being close to the ocean and being close to extended family.
Is there anything else you want us to know about you?
I have a special relationship with the VSO. I heard them at the age of 9 at a young people's concert. I played in the back of the viola section as a teenager and have been with the orchestra since 1983..my hometown orchestra..that is special to me.