For Anne Gratz, Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s principal cellist, being a professional musician is much more than performing on the concert stage. It’s about paying it forward through music education and collaborating with the Tucson community, challenging herself along the way.
A native of Indiana, Gratz has been a valued member of the TSO since 2005, and as the principal cellist for over a decade. She excelled as a student, graduating valedictorian from Interlochen Arts Academy before earning a couple degrees from the Eastman School of Music. If she is not preparing for an upcoming concert or teaching private lessons, she takes to the road to train for her next marathon.
“I had a teacher in high school who told me that we need to train like athletes. It took me a lot of years to figure that out – this job can be really hard on the body.
“I feel a little off if I have a day where I don’t run or play scales,” she says. “There are a lot of similarities in terms of thinking about daily practice and routine leading to long-term progress. I do enjoy the differences though, like when I can go out for a long run in nature and zone out for a couple hours – something I try to avoid when I’m playing a concert!”
As a member of the TSO string quintet, Anne regularly performs at local schools, an important part of TSO’s education initiatives that help introduce students to the fulfillment music can bring.
“I love being able to introduce live classical music to kids who might not have heard it in person before,” she says, recalling a recent collection of hand-drawn thank-you cards from students – a reminder of the impact these performances can have. “It’s very rewarding.”
She teaches more than 30 students in her private cello studio in Tucson, sharing the joy she gets when her students surpass tough challenges.
“One of my favorite things is helping kids see that they can do hard things,” she says.
For Gratz, education is also about building community, a connection that grows as students perform together. She values hearing her students play, encouraging one another while sharing feedback after solo performances in group classes.
Teaching is just one of many ways TSO musicians contribute to Tucson’s music scene, from teaching private lessons and working in schools to performing at weddings, church services, and other community events. The exchange is reciprocal: Gratz says she and her fellow TSO musicians are equally inspired by the students and young artists they share the stage with each season.
“I always look forward to any time Mariachi Aztlán de Pueblo High School joins us; those kids are amazing!”
For young musicians who dream of joining a professional orchestra, her advice is simple: master the fundamentals.
“My teacher in college always said you have to be in tune, in time, and with a good sound,” she says. “It seems simple, but that’s a huge part of it!” For auditions, however, technical skills are only part of the equation. “We’re always listening for someone who understands the character of the piece and what’s going on in the rest of the orchestra.”
That awareness is particularly important in her role as principal cellist. The placement of the section in the orchestra can change depending on the repertoire. “In music by composers such as Mozart and Haydn,” she explains, “the first and second violins are often positioned across from one another, emphasizing the musical conversation between the two.” Under Music Director José Luis Gómez the cellos are placed in the center of the orchestra, something she enjoys – “it feels like we’re really in the middle of the sound.”
Whether she’s on stage, working with a student or running mile after mile, Gratz brings the same mindset: progress and preparation take patience, but the hardest things are often the most rewarding. Through her work on stage with the TSO and dedication to her students, Gratz reminds us all that music isn’t simply about performing, it’s something to share and experience together.