By Ashleigh Teygong & Cathy Venable
Cathy Venable
Years in Tulsa Youth Symphony: 1983-1985
Instrument: Flute
Auditioning and Joining TYS
I was in the Edison High School band and wanted an orchestral experience. I was encouraged to audition for the Tulsa Youth Symphony by my wonderfully supportive parents and my fabulous flute teacher, Diane Ackmann. I felt like a true professional as Mr. Wheeler welcomed me to my audition at the very intimidating Harwelden mansion. I was accepted into the fantastic flute section, and my first rehearsal was thrilling and overwhelming. Our section leader was Jenny Shadley, and I wanted to be just like her. She played beautifully, and she was gracious and kind.
Although I was thrilled to be accepted, after our first rehearsal for our symphony at Sunset appearance, I went home and told my parents that these people were far more advanced than I, and that I must have been accepted by mistake. I'm glad I didn't resign though, because the next three years were such a blast for me. It turns out that I was ready after all.
TYS and Favorite Memories
We played such memorable classical pieces, but my favorite was the Empire Strikes Back medley. I was, and am, convinced that we sounded just like the soundtrack. Under the direction of Ron Wheeler, such an irreverent, caring, talented educator and conductor, I learned how to play as a team member, how to listen, and how amazing it is to be right in the middle of what Ron calls the greatest instrument in the world - the orchestra. I loved performing with musicians from other schools, and appreciated the passion that Ron Wheeler had for the music, and his ability to put us at ease with his sense of humor. My favorite memory was our concert tour to Los Angeles because it was educational and fun.
I even had the honor of performing a piano concerto with the Youth Symphony during my Senior year. Those three years were the greatest preparation I could have received for my career as an orchestral and Broadway pit pianist. I knew I wanted to be a professional pianist, but playing flute in the Youth Symphony confirmed that I wanted to work with other musicians, not as a soloist.
After TYS: College
My college and grad school years were spent primarily as a pianist, but my years in the Tulsa Youth Symphony with Mr. Wheeler, and his talented assistant Jack Roller, gave me the confidence to join the Northwestern Wind Symphony and the flute ensembles.
Cathy’s Educational History:
Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois: Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance
Cincinnati Conservatory of Music: Master's Degree in Piano Accompanying
Purdue University Global: Master's Degree in Human Services
Cathy’s Professional Orchestral Experience:
Tulsa Symphony
Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra
Influences
My elementary music teacher at Barnard, John Townsend. He taught us that we could learn anything. His training even helped me test out of the first year of Ear Training at Northwestern University.
Career
From 2003-2015, I was a pianist for 15 Broadway shows in New York City, and from 2015-2020, I was Associate Conductor and Pianist for the National Tours of The Sound of Music, The Phantom of the Opera, and Disney's Frozen. I performed in recital at Carnegie/Weill Hall in 2008 and 2012.
Cathy is currently a Pianist with the Tulsa Symphony, Tulsa Chorale, and Harvard Avenue Christian Church.
Parting Words
I am thankful every day for my days in the Tulsa Youth Symphony, where I learned how to play as part of an orchestra. It is a completely different skill from being a soloist, and it is a skill that I use every day. I am proud to continue to support this organization that gave me so much grand preparation for my career. What a privilege it was to be in that TYS flute section with such immense talents as Lory McConnell and Jenny Shadley. My work now as a classical accompanist and as a Broadway pianist is strengthened by all of the ensemble experience I had with the Youth Symphony.
To read more, check out Cathy’s website: https://cathyvenable.com/