Illinois Symphony Orchestra
October 28, 2023
There were more than those often-pesky computer programmers and their algorithms at work that thrust ‘Rachel’ and I together. It was as if ‘Hiram Bradford Farmer’s’ ghost had known I’d be writing about this and wanted his name mentioned in this story of an amazing ‘violinist’ from ‘Illinois’ that attended the very same school as this writer, and the one he principled over in 1886. This Halloween, 137 years later, Hiram your ghost gets its wish; but now this story belongs to Rachel …
– Rick
Rachel was a challenge to interview; I knew she would be. She’s shy, hides her accolades well and has the most unassuming personality I’ve ever crossed. I had known for months that I had wanted to add her to my ‘Meet Me’ forum. But I had to wait for the right time to ask. Had to make sure she was comfortable with where these little pieces headed.
The time arrived a few weeks back and I asked her “I may think about that. Sounds interesting,” was her reply. I anticipated this, was expecting days for a response, but hours later came “Ok I ☺️ guess so. It’s probably a good thing for me. Sorry it took me all day to answer. Just got done with a rehearsal,” read her message a mere twelve hours after being asked and not the days I had anticipated.
Now that’s she’s opening up, lets ‘Meet: Rachel Sompong.’
Early Years:
Rachel was born into a family of musicians, and as she began her interview tells me her grandparents even owned a music store back in the 1960’s and ’70’s. “So, it has always been in my blood,” she says of taking her first violin lessons at age four. “My mother played piano, organ, cello mainly but also could play violin. Her parents, my grandparents, were also musicians.” as well as her uncle and five cousins Rachel added.
How old were you when you first played in front of a crowd, was my next inquiry. Rachel’s replied “I was probably the same age or maybe five. I think it might have been ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’ and all the Suzuki variations by memory,” she added when asked if she recalled the song.
The College Connection:
We both came out of ASU (Arizona State University) with ‘Midwest’ roots, and I began, you once told me “I come from a long line of U of I (Illinois) fans in my family” what led you from a dominant Big 10 area to attend a Pac 10 school (in my day, Pac 12 in your day)? And your take, I added, on the realignment which sees USC and UCLA moving to the BIG 10, while ASU moves to the BIG 12?
‘I went to Arizona State University, because they offered me a pretty nice scholarship. Mainly though because of the music professors and the music programs offered. My brother joked that I defected. To be honest, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go to U of I. Just because ‘I wanted to be different’ anyways and get away from the area. Well for sure the dessert and mountains are different”.
“This realignment thing just shaking my head ugh,” Rachel added when asked her take “I can’t even keep up anymore! Definitely not the same.”
College Experience:
I had already known of some of Rachel’s part time campus experiences but had to find out more, as she worked on a wide variety of things. I stated the following as a question. ‘I was a statistician for a community college’s women’s fastpitch softball club before attending ASU. I can relate to the college experience. What was it like doing these other cool jobs? (Sidenote: I, also, wrote sports for the campus newspaper)
“One cool job I had at ASU…I was an usher and cart driver at ASU stadium when they had Super Bowl XXX,” she said, while continuing, “I would do college games and NFL and then just kept going to other things like volleyball ball roller person, basketball usher, swimming lane time stop “puncher” for swim meets, girls’ softball record scores at games…so long ago.”
“I really enjoyed being part of the stadium and sport scene at ASU,” she said smiling. “It was only because I saw something at a freshman orientation week thing about going to see the Super Bowl. It was a job application to work the stadium and it led to a lot of cool things to see.”
“Super Bowl XXX seeing Diana Ross fly out the stadium and also seeing them practice this over and over, because my freshman dorm was right there,” was a highlight she mentioned and continued, “I also saw the Rolling Stones there and I remembered radioing into my supervisor, ‘hey there’s a fire on stage is that supposed to be there? No, it wasn’t.’ I was a cart driver for that. I also saw U2 there in concert as an usher for handicapped section. It definitely was a fun job you could sign up for events and just be a part of it all. And get some $$$ for it.”
The Musician:
After our most recent conversation, I discovered you’re rather shy in nature and introverted, I started out on her career. How does it affect your ability to play in front of large crowds?
Rachel stopped and thought for a moment then commenced, “I think lately in life I began to shy away from live things or just being in the shadows. Who knows maybe just the self-doubt and bad self-talk that gets to me. Especially after a couple bad auditions and yet I’m supposed to be a teacher. So, I just put on a smile and take some nice photos here and there.”
“I don’t know why I’m even doing this and even telling you this,” she continued about our interview and notoriety, “Maybe because I’m older and I can look back and say well it’s not really how I wanted things to turn out. But then now that I am older, I can see a lot of cool things I did in my life too and what I accomplished. Even if there was pain along the way. ooh it got deep on here. It may have affected the way I felt as an orchestral player,” the violinist said, while moments later attaching, “Being able to blend in and not be noticed. Just part of the big sound is where I feel comfortable.”
What would you estimate the largest crowd you’ve performed in front of, was my subsequent inquiry.
“I’m not sure what the biggest crowd I have played in front of,” she acknowledged yet supplemented, “I have played some cool places like Ravinia Festival, Millennial Park in Chicago, Phoenix Symphony Hall, Tucson. Henry Mancini institute in Los Angeles Brevard Music Festival in North Carolina. Albuquerque, New Mexico and of course local. The coolest one was when I played the National Anthem for Snoop Dogg when he came through our city.”
Music and Travel:
I see you like to travel; how much travel is for the Orchestra? And what’s been your favorite destination and why? ” Yes, I do travel a lot. I am a regional musician and gig in the central IL area. My favorite destination? Not so much a fav but Springfield, IL is nice just because of so much Lincoln history and he is buried there! Springfield being one of the cities I travel too for gigs.”
The travel question is interesting in and of in itself but was initially brought up because I had come across the photo below (ISO Facebook) of Rachel and her daughter before a side-by-side performance in 2021 with the ‘Bloomington Normal Youth Symphony.’
Apparently, talent runs in the family. I came across a pic of you and your daughter, I began, with the caption, “ISO Violist Rachel Sompong is joined on stage by her daughter for the side-by-side performance,” what was it like performing with her.
Without hesitation, Rachel excitedly said, “I really feel proud when I get to play with my daughter. A couple times, I was able to share the stage with her. It was really cool!”
Coming Up:
Nearing the end of our interview, I asked if she’d like to announce any upcoming holiday specials or other gigs.
Rachel replied, “I have two more concerts coming up in November. The Milliken Decatur Symphony, November. 11. They need me on violin for that concert. The Illinois Symphony has a concert coming up on November 4th and 5th I believe in Springfield and my hometown Bloomington Normal. In December Illinois Symphony will hold their annual side by side pops concert with the kids.”
About Me:
With one last question in tote, I hit Rachel with the final question. Why follow me?
“I couldn’t understand the algorithms at first. I’m like ok, ASU and Michigan are close enough to Illinois. I guess curious,” she said. “Why not see what another person’s day is? A normal non celeb. Kinda like my dad would tell me when younger…. make pen pals!”
Writers Note:
I must admit, I could talk to Rachel all day and probably not ask the same question twice. She’s an amazing person and I’ve truly been honored to have her as a friend and have her support as I battle cancer. Her kindness, candor and friendship are heartwarming. The world could use more Rachel’s! But there is one final question I have for her. Can you teach me to play ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,’ on my violin before Christmas? – Rick
You can find Rachel at:
Rachel Sompong (สมปอง) (@rachelsompong) • Instagram
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