By Andrew Mollenauer

amollenauer@altoonamirror.com

When Genaro Medina came to America, he had a violin and “lots of hopes.”

Originally from Venezuela, Medina came to the states in 1999 to study violin performance at Duquesne University, where he also tried his hand at conducting small ensembles.

Next weekend, Medina will make his professional conducting debut at the Altoona Symphony Orchestra’s

April 23 concert.

“You have to be that face; you have to be that leader,” Medina said of the conductor position.

From an early age, Medina knew music was his calling. He was in marching band, and had played drums, trumpet, cello, viola and clarinet before falling in love with the violin.

“I had this musical inclination,” Medina said. “I had this curiosity to be better and to learn.”

While his instrument was always his main focus, Medina decided to try conducting because he wanted to expand his understanding of music.

“I knew that there was more,” Medina said. “When you learn the craft of the conductor, you have to become the music. The goal is to bring all these people together with this common goal of making music. Conducting is not just what people think of — moving your hands. There’s a lot behind it because the conductor is the one who transmits to the orchestra his conception of the composer.”

Medina said when he was just 18 he knew that coming to the U.S. would afford him the opportunity to have this experience and further his relationship with music.

“I decided to come to America because I knew there is more to music and that America is the best country in the world; I knew that from the very beginning,” Medina said. “I knew that all the information I was craving, that I wanted to learn, came from here. So, I said to myself, ‘I’ve got to go to the source, the place that generates this.'”

At Duquesne, Medina studied with his beloved mentor, Sidney Harth, a renowned violinist who played an integral role in his student’s education.

“The pinnacle of my studying was to study with Harth,” Medina said. “He is, to me, one of the best musicians ever. What was so special about him was he was not just the best violin teacher, he was a great conductor and he was an amazing soloist.”

Harth was the first American violinist to win a major violin competition in Europe.

While Harth was his favorite instructor, Medina said, he was just one of many people who helped the New Jersey transplant become the musician he is today.

“I’ve been very lucky because all the people who influenced me with music were just fantastic,” Medina said. “All the teachers that impacted me personally in my life, they had something in common; they instilled in me enthusiasm.”

Medina’s colleagues at the symphony see that enthusiasm firsthand.

“He is a very valued, incredible leader with a great vision for the orchestra and cares about the music and players,” said Janey Scwind, executive director of the symphony. “We’re lucky to have his leadership, joy and enthusiasm.”

Nick Palmer, the symphony’s artistic advisor and principal guest conductor, said he looks forward to the concert, which will feature Medina and his wife, Lela, also a violinist, playing a Bach double concerto.

“Genaro is a consummate musician and has had some strong conducting experience, so it was a natural transition to the podium for this unique concert,” Palmer said. “I’m very confident that the evening will be a big hit with our audience.”

“He is very interested in moving forward and growing, as a musician, obviously, and as a person,” said former symphony executive director Rick Vanevenhoven. “I specifically remember a conversation late one evening when he called me and he asked me about the possibility of conducting this concert. We were in need of a conductor. I was a little surprised, but Nick said, ‘Why not give him a try?’ I think it’s a great opportunity for the symphony and a great opportunity for Genaro.”

Medina recognizes the magnitude of his role in the upcoming concert as leader of the entire ensemble. The position comes with great responsibility, he said, and is no simple feat.

“The job of the conductor is to bring the whole orchestra together and make them focus on sustaining the character of that style,” Medina said. “There are a lot of nuances behind conducting, which is beyond just moving the baton and your hands and dictating musical instructions. It is definitely an art, which I respect very much.”

“It speaks a lot for his leadership and willingness to try some new things,” Schwind said. “It speaks a lot to his artistic abilities, and he’ll bring a lot of his own musicianship to the experience as well. We’re really lucky to have him in Altoona.”

“When you play music, there’s something that happens when you connect with it,” Medina said. “You experience all the human emotions and it’s a world you learn to inhabit. You experience the purity of your soul. You learn to lead, and that reaches other human beings. Music is the perfect vehicle for it.”

Mirror Staff Writer Andrew Mollenauer is at 814-946-7428.