MUSICIAN SPOTLIGHT: HANNAH RUARK

Posted on January 3, 2023

Portland Youth Philharmonic Orchestra French horn player Hannah Ruark says being in PYP “means pushing yourself to be better…PYP made me the musician I am now. Being in a space where I am given songs that are difficult, and I feel like I can’t play pushes me to be better and to practice more.”

Hannah first joined the organization when she was 13; she has participated in the Portland Youth Wind Ensemble (PYWE), Conservatory Orchestra (PYCO), and now at 16, performs in the Philharmonic Orchestra.

“The first big [musical] achievement I ever made was when I first joined PYWE because when I was in 6th grade and I had first heard PYP perform,” Hannah said. “I knew I wanted to be in PYP, so when I got into PYWE in 8th grade I was really happy and proud of myself for all the hard work I had done. I also consider getting into [the Philharmonic Orchestra] an achievement because I got to see where all my hard work got me.”

Hannah has learned a lot about how to manage a schedule through PYP. Between private lessons, practicing, PYP rehearsal, homework, time for friends, time for family, and a part time job, Hannah has been kept busy! She credits PYP for helping her to find the right balance between work and play and other necessary life skills.

Hannah also says PYP helped her realize her passion for being a music teacher.

“Being in PYP has actually changed my vision for my future,” Hannah said. “Before I joined, I wanted to play French horn professionally. But after being in PYP and seeing all the conductors and how they teach and turn their visions from music on the page to music to the ears, I want to be a band teacher. I’m always amazed how all of the conductors that I’ve worked with take the song that we all struggled with and turn it into a beautiful song. I want to be able to do that someday.”

As Hannah said, PYP’s conductors work hard to create a beautiful music experience for the musicians and the audience; they do this in part by selecting challenging pieces that will teach the musicians new skills and how to work together. In fact, one of Hannah’s favorite things about PYP is the challenging repertoire she gets to play each year.

“I’m looking forward to playing hard music,” she said “I know it sounds backwards because hard music is frustrating, but the hard music is what makes me better. I’m also looking forward to playing with my friends again. We all have so much fun making music together and the best moment is when a part the orchestra struggled with and spent hours practicing at home comes together. The feeling of all your practicing paying off is so worth it. My goal [in Season 99] is to practice more and to come to the next rehearsal feeling prepared.”

She reflected on a piece that was particularly challenging for her - Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 3. She said that while this wasn’t the hardest piece she’s ever played, it stands out in her mind because instead of having five horns playing there were only two, and as first chair for this piece she had to transpose more than any other piece that season.

“I also struggled with feeling good enough to be playing first horn,” she reflected. “I felt a lot of pressure and really exposed, like everyone could hear every single mistake I made, and I struggled to play through it. But after a lot of practice I felt somewhat ready for the concert. After we finished the performance, I felt so good about myself. I had actually done a good job! The situation I was put in was my worst fear and I had conquered it. I was really proud of myself and it’s definitely a piece and moment I will never forget.”

PYP believes in providing excellent music education to all young musicians, which lends itself to a wonderful musical experience for all to enjoy. With thoughtful training and challenging and rewarding compositions like Saint-Saëns’s, the Philharmonic Orchestra performs at a level that rivals many of their professional counterparts.

Thank you for sharing your experience, Hannah. You’re a part of what makes PYP great!