Helen Baumgartner
Been with the MSO since: Fall 2007
Hometown: St. Peter
Education: Graduate of Preparatory Department of Eastman School of Music in piano and violin; B.A. from Smith College; M.M. from Eastman; D.M.A. in piano performance from University of Minnesota
My day job: I am retired from teaching at Gustavus Adolphus College but continue to teach piano privately at home.
Earliest musical memory: my first orchestra concert; I was fascinated with watching Jose Iturbi on the "little hill" (the podium) as he conducted the Rochester (N.Y.) Philharmonic Orchestra
Favorite thing about performing music: communicating music I love with the audience
Other instruments I play: I play violin with MSO but my major instrument is piano. My husband and I have played many four-hand recitals and continue to give recitals in ELCA churches as benefits for the Global Mission Institute of Luther Seminary.
The composition I would most like to perform: anything classical
Best part about being an MSO musician: being "inside" the orchestra instead of just listening to great music
What’s on my iPod or in my CD player: We keep our radio tuned to MPR.
Other interesting facts(s): I have performed as piano soloist with the Rochester (N.Y.) Philharmonic, Sendai City (Japan) Symphony, Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, and the Boston Pops under Arthur Fiedler (as a senior in college).