Player Portrait

William Ofstad

Bass

First season with the Oregon Symphony:

1968-1969

Most influential teacher(s):

Grace Redburn, piano, 12 years in Seattle. Miklos Schwab, piano, New England Conservatory, Boston. Tiny Martin, bass, Boston Symphony. His advice: "Quit fooling around with the piano — switch to a real instrument, the bass."

Earliest musical memory:

My father, Arnt Ofstad, was an Olympic ski jumper from Norway. He would often play a very passionate Norwegian national anthem on the piano. It was his only piece. At night, he listened to records. One year, he played the Ormandy recording of Rachmaninoff "Symphonic Dances" every evening for 10 months.

"I first knew I would make music my career when ... "

As a student, I worked at Boston Symphony Hall for four years, opening limousine doors. I got to attend all of the concerts and became attracted to the dark supporting sound of the bass section. At that time, I never would have expected to play music at the high level James DePreist and others have created in Oregon.

"Other than performing music, I've always thought it might be fun to be a ... "

House painter because I've done it since I was 12 years old. This has evolved into a commercial painting business. We have had some of the same employees for 25 years. Also, every week my wife and I drive to Ocean Shores, Washington, where we operate The Sands Resort — with 196 oceanfront rooms. We are also partners in an exciting NW Portland project called The Inn at Northrup Station. Scheduled to open in August 2001, this 70-unit boutique hotel will have works by local artists in all the guestrooms.

Favorite composer and/or period?

Scarlotti sonatas; Lutoslawski "Concerto for Orchestra"; Schubert "Unfinished Symphony."

What does this photograph say about your life?

I live among a lot of "wildlife" — including my wife, Sandra; mother, Betty; son, Adam; pet Chihuahuas, Bobby and Solo; and the bird, Mr. Bird.

What do you enjoy most about performing?

Interesting things happen. Sometimes a single phrase from a wind player or tuba will have such logic that it will change the tone color of the entire orchestra.

Other than playing great music, what do you see as the Symphony's most important role?

Increasing the bass section salary.

What is your favorite part of being a member of the Oregon Symphony?

I like the variety of repertoire. Even when we repeat a work, it may have been 10 years since the last performance. In 1967, we "woodshedded" the "El Salon Mexico." After many intensive rehearsals, it was still fraught with errors of style, rhythm and intonation. Our first rehearsal reading now far surpasses the performance level of earlier years. The bass section rotates seating. It is fun to play on the same stand with these different characters. We do a lot of communication about music and other things — while playing! Sometimes we discuss individual audience members as they are seated. (See, we're watching you, too!)

Player Portrait