Mary Snider didn’t develop an interest in playing the cello until she was in elementary school and her mother visited with the orchestra teacher about where she might fit in. It turns out that he needed more cello players, and that’s where it all began! She was only ten years old at the time.

Mary was immediately interested in playing the instrument and, unlike other kids, practicing wasn’t a chore, it was an escape and something that she enjoyed. In fact, her musical career has spanned more than 66 years, and she still enjoys playing!

Her love of music influenced her choice of major in college; she earned a Musical Education degree from Indiana University. Mary worked in Bartlesville Public Schools for the majority of her career as an orchestra teacher. She enjoyed teaching tremendously and encouraging her students along their own journeys so much so that she devoted time for private cello instruction for other aspiring cello musicians.

There isn’t much that Mary hasn’t accomplished musically with her cello by her side! She started playing as a volunteer for the Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra in the ninth grade. This enabled her to gain playing time and support the arts in her hometown. It’s been years since she has volunteered! Now, she is paid to play and currently an active member of the Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra. She is continuing to do what she loves! And it’s a good thing because between practicing, teaching cello and playing five Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra concerts a year, along with the concerts she performs at Montereau, she stays very busy!

To find out more about the Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra or to check out its schedule, visit: https://www.bartlesvillesymphony.org. And the next time you attend an event at which Mary is sharing her musical prowess, please give her a pat on the back and a big thank you! We’re so fortunate to have her here at Montereau.

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