AYS Alumni Interview with Ronald Kidd, Anthony Plog, and Jock Ellis

AYS Manager of Community Engagement, Mandy Matthews Brockhaus and AYS Trombone player, Cole Davis interviews AYS alumni and novelist, Ronald Kidd, composer Anthony Plog, and trombonist Jock Ellis on their time in AYS during the 1960's. Watch this interview to get inspired to discover new interests or revisit old passions, hear about AYS’ early days, and receive advice from professional musicians.
This interview was recorded from October 18, 2021. Read reflections about the interview on our blog here: www.aysymphony.org/blog/alumn...
1:05 Please introduce yourself, give your brief bio, and your relationship to AYS.
6:25 It sounds like Ronald and Jock joined AYS in High School and Anthony joined in college. Were there typically more high school players back then? Also, how did it feel to play with such a talented group at a young age?
9:54 How would you describe Mehli Mehta’s conducting and leadership style?
16:32 Are there specific moments or quotes that you remember with Maestro Mehta that have been a guiding point for you throughout your career?
18:55 What do you think the biggest difference is between AYS then and now? How has the orchestra changed and grown?
20:48 How did playing in AYS prepare you for your chosen careers?
27:18 How has being a brass player shaped your identity, or what made you gravitate towards playing a brass instrument?
29:18 (To Anthony Plog) - What compositions of yours do you find the most difficult and for what reasons?
33:19 (To Jock Ellis) - Tell us about your experience playing with the different groups you were a part of, including the time you played with Frank Zappa.
39:40 How did your music playing career support your career as a writer?
45:02 What advice do you have for the young musicians today?