Cellist and pianist play to raise funds for fledgling group.

CELLIST DEBRA FAYROIAN (right) of Maple City and pianist
Michelle Cooker of Ann Arbor before Sunday's concert
in Leland.

Money was tight in the Fayroian family when young Debra, who was working toward her bachelor of arts in performance degree from the University of Michigan, made a road trip.

Fayroian had higher expectations than many college road trips of the day as America was evolving from the “beatnik” generation to the “hippie” movement.

The year was 1968, and Fayroian had other movements on her mind, in particular the classics written by Beethoven and Hadyn. She headed to Philadelphia, home of the famed William Moennig & Son stringed instruments shop. It was and remains one of America’s most respected violin makers, restorers, experts and appraisers of fine stringed instruments.

“That’s a modern Italian instrument,” Fayroian said of the 1923 cello that served her well through a career as a performer with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO), and which had just delighted an audience gathered Sunday afternoon in the Leland School performing arts center. “My parents worked very hard to come up with that $2,000.”

And so did Debra Fayroian, who performed through her years with the DSO to repay her first-generation Armenian parents. Her father was a photo-engraver with an advertising firm in Detroit, but somehow the Fayroians found ways to emphasize the classics to their children and funds to equip them with instruments.

“They have always had a passion for classical music. We were told we will be a part of the music program,” said Debra Fayroian of her public school days.

She landed a chair in the Toledo Symphony Orchestra when she was a U-M undergrad, and in 1976 beat out all competition in preliminary, semifinal and final rounds for a position with the DSO.

The pressure was immense, Fayroian remembers, as the professional symphony industry sought to shake off all questions of gender inequality. Her tryouts were held behind curtains to hide her gender. “I was asked not to clear my throat, and not to wear high heels,” she said.

Coming out on top led to an exciting 30-year career that included five European tours. But Fayroian was ready to give up the glamor of playing for one of America’s top 10 symphony orchestras when eligible for retirement.

“The symphony orchestra business is incredible,” said Fayroian. “But I think I knew 30 years was enough, and I was ready to move away from that intense, urban atmosphere.”

She and her husband, Wesley Jacobs, have known for some time that they would eventually retire to Leelanau County. Both have a close relationship with the Interlochen Academy for the Arts, and as such have enjoyed vacationing and biking in Leelanau.

Jacobs is still a member of the DSO, for which his tuba has enlightened audiences for 37 years. While Jacobs and Fayroian have a home in Maple City, Jacobs often spends his nights at their son-in-law and daughter Adrienne’s home in Birmingham.

Not surprisingly, Adrienne and Eric Romark are continuing the family’s musical tradition. Adrienne plays the violin and Eric the saxophone for New Music Detroit, which is playing a brand of experimental music to large crowds downstate.

So what is Debra Fayroian doing with all her spare time? Playing the cello, of course — but to much smaller venues.

Fayroian is working to establish a non-profit group called Chamber Music North, with the stated goal of enhancing cultural offerings in the five-county area including, of course, Leelanau County. Proceeds from the concert Sunday went to the Leland Community Cultural Center and Chamber Music North, which has applied for 501(c)(3) non-profit status. Donations to the fledgling chamber organization are being held for now by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation.

Fayroian thoroughly enjoys the intimate venues so fit for chamber music. She and pianist Michelle Cooker of Ann Arbor brought an assortment of Bach, Haydn and other classical pieces to the Leland audience, which brought the musicians back on stage for a second curtain call.

“I know there are people wanting chamber music in Leelanau County. And my hope is that Chamber Music North will offer something for those people on a regular basis. It’s such an inspiring place to be — it goes hand-in-hand with great music,” said Fayroian.

Members of the Chamber Music North advisory committee are Jeff Haas, Jeanne Snow, Lynne Tobin, John P. Vinkemulder and Fayroian. Further information is available by email at DFayroian@ChamberMusicNorth.com; by mail at 300 West Harbour Ridge Ct., Maple City 49664; or by phone at 228-2172.

5 questions for aclaimed cellist

A 30-year career as a musician with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra preceded Debra Fayroian’s retirement to Leelanau County, where she is working to establish Chamber Music North to bring classical music to smaller venues in the area.

We had an opportunity to ask Fayroian five questions last week prior to her concert Sunday in the Leland School performing arts center. Here are her answers:

• You’ve played in famous concert halls across the world. Which is your favorite?

“I’d have to say Orchestra Hall in Detroit. It’s one of the best halls in the world. All visiting musicians concur. It’s amazing. Carnegie Hall in New York City would be my second choice.”

• Favorite chamber music repertoire?

“I think stringed quartets — two violins, viola, cello. There is a whole universe of incredible music written for string quartets spanning 300 years.”

• Future of classical music in America?

“I’m noticing that the stringed instruments are not as popular. But there are pockets where it is very important. It’s not a coincidence that schools with strong music programs produce students with good grades.”

Not a musical snob, Fayroian encourages the learning of all types of music on stringed instruments — including “fiddling.”

“There is nothing wrong with fiddling. It requires a skill level that is taught through classical music, and is part classical and part country music.”

• Most embarrassing moment on stage?

“My end pin breaking and my cello slowly sinking down, with me finally standing up and apologizing, but the concert cannot go on.”