Colgate relishes new role as Greenville Symphony concertmaster

She’s the first-chair violinist, occupying the honored spot immediately to the left of conductor Edvard Tchivzhel during concerts. Colgate, who’ll participate in the orchestra’s “Ghostbusters” concert Tuesday and masterworks programs Nov. 3-4, was appointed to the concertmaster’s position this season after a nationwide search and an intensive audition process.

“She’s a true virtuoso who possesses all of the important qualities for this leading position in the orchestra — a beautiful, rich sound, outstanding technical skills and impressive experience,” Tchivzhel said.

But what exactly does a concertmaster do?

Colgate’s most prominent role is that of soloist. The great works of the concert hall often feature big violin solos. Colgate will be spotlighted in at least two this season: Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade” in January and Richard Strauss’ “Ein Heldenleben” in February. That, by itself, calls for a highly skilled and experienced musician, but Colgate’s work doesn’t end there.

She often participates in the auditions of new members of the orchestra. Plus, as leader of the violin section, she designates how a piece is to be bowed — so that the two-dozen violinists are one unified artistic machine. During a rehearsal, Colgate may actually conduct the orchestra from the first violinist’s chair when Tchivzhel steps away from the podium to hear the music from the audience’s perspective.

Colgate, like many concertmasters, also has a ceremonial role: Before the start of every performance, she steps onto stage prior to the conductor, takes a bow and cues the oboe to play an “A” — the note on which the entire orchestra proceeds to tune.

At the end of the concert, the conductor shakes her hand, symbolically thanking the entire orchestra for a successful performance. The peripatetic Colgate not only serves as the Greenville Symphony’s concertmaster but also occupies the same role with the El Paso Symphony and performs regularly with the IRIS Chamber Orchestra in her hometown of Memphis.

Meanwhile, Colgate actually lives in Takoma Park, Maryland, and is co-founder and artistic director of the Boulanger Initiative, a Washington, D.C.-based organization that promotes music by women composers.

“I do a lot of jumping around,” she said, with a laugh.

Despite her many other commitments, Colgate will perform with Greenville Symphony on every Masterworks program and in most of the smaller chamber and Spotlight Series concerts. Colgate has been praised by the Cleveland Plain Dealer as “remarkably poised … sensitive and majestic.” She has performed across Europe, Asia and North America. She recently completed her doctorate at the University of Maryland, focusing her dissertation work on women composers.

The Journal recently caught up with Colgate by phone while she was in Memphis, Tennessee, where she was performing with the IRIS Chamber Orchestra.

The Journal: Welcome to your first season with the Greenville Symphony! How do you like Greenville and its orchestra?

Laura Colgate: I’ve been so impressed with all of it. The city is absolutely charming. I love Greenville. It has been nice to get to know the downtown area especially. The orchestra has been so warm and welcoming and so much fun to play with, and they’re so open to new ideas. I feel such a positive energy toward wanting to be the best orchestra they can. Everyone’s striving for the same goals. It’s been a great experience.

The Journal: Your many commitments — in Greenville, El Paso, Memphis, and Washington, D.C. — would seem to keep you constantly on the move. Is that so?

Colgate: I actually feel that I’ve enjoyed more stability this year than I’ve had in previous seasons. I’ve been on many tours when I’ve been in a city just for a night or two nights, living on buses or planes. I did a “West Side Story” tour for nine months and two legs of the “Star Wars in Concert” tour. That was a good chunk of my life on a bus. I’ve done that throughout my life since I was 18.

The Journal: Are there positive aspects to working with a different set of musicians almost every week?

Colgate: Yes, I find a lot of creative stimulation from change and travel and just having the opportunity to play with different musicians. I like new challenges. It makes you see your own playing in a different way. I think it’s always suited my personality and I think it has pushed me to be a better musician.

The Journal: And what are your impressions of Edvard Tchivzhel, the orchestra’s longtime music director and conductor?

Colgate: He really wants to make the highest quality of music possible. He strives to make the orchestra the best it can be, and he’s really a pleasure to work with. He’s a fantastic conductor.

The Journal’s Paul Hyde will present a free pre-concert talk one hour before the Greenville Symphony’s Nov. 3-4 “Beilman Returns” concerts. Write to Paul at paulhydeus@yahoo.com. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter: @PaulHyde7.

If you go

• What: “Ghostbusters” With Live Orchestra, featuring the Greenville Symphony Orchestra
• When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30
• Where: Peace Center
• Tickets: $25 to $75
• Info: 864-467-3000 or www.peacecenter.org

If you go

• What: Greenville Symphony presents “Beilman Returns”
• When: 8 p.m. Nov. 3; 3 p.m. Nov. 4
• Where: Peace Center
• Tickets: $19 to $75
• Info: 864-467-3000 or www.peacecenter.org