Mary C. Bisson, Horn

photo by Christian Colberg

Listen to Mary's interview with Judith Krummeck

When not rehearsing or performing with the BSO…I like to spend as much time with my teenage daughter as I can (although, being a teenager, she does not like to spend it with me!)

If I had not become a professional musician…I probably would’ve either been a singer/songwriter, or something completely different, like a career in the medical field.

I listen to all kinds of music-but rarely classical to unwind-I listen critically to classical music.

In the car, I listen to…the “loft” on satellite radio.

My cell phone is currently set on…vibrate.

The last book I read was…A friend of the Earth by TC Boyle.

Most people would be surprised to learn that…my brother, Terry, is a well-known science fiction author.

The craziest thing I have ever done is gotten my pilot’s license, although I no longer fly.  The experience of being alone in a tiny Cessna and knowing the only way down is totally dependent on your own skill is pretty scary-but thrilling!

My dream is to see my daughter succeed in life.

The non-musical accomplishment that I am most proud of is…building a house, currently in progress, with my own hands in Vermont.

My guilty pleasure is…eating really good chocolate, ice cream (Ben and Jerry’s Karmel Sutra) or both simultaneously.

My favorite vacation spot is in…Vermont.

The last movie I saw was…Volver.

How do you prepare for a performance?  Physically I learn the piece very well-Mentally, I try not to dwell on it.

If I could choose another instrument to play…I would sing.

Do you play any other instruments?  I play acoustic guitar for fun.  Folk music mostly-and I sing.

My most embarrassing musical moment was when…I dropped a mute in a very quiet section of Mahler’s first symphony...CLANG!!  I now hold onto them very carefully.

An extremely positive musical experience that I have had was…In 1984, I played a concert in DC with Leonard Bernstein at the Washington Cathedral.  It was a fundraiser for MANA (Musicians Against Nuclear Arms), and it was a wonderfully powerful experience.

Have you had a profound experience, musical or otherwise, that has shaped or deeply influenced your approach to music?  Profound experiences are extremely personal and of course, they have changed my approach not only to music but more importantly, to life.

If I could spend a day with any composer, it would be…Leonard Bernstein.  He was my hero growing up, and I love his music.