As she entered her 90s, Lois Snibson intended to put away the cello and retire from orchestral performances several times.
Each time she’s subsequently found out about the pieces selected for upcoming performances and changed her mind.
Lois, who turns 91 on December 6, is one of eight cellists with the Surrey Hills Orchestra, to which she has belonged for 14 years. More recently she has joined her viola-playing daughter to perform with Eltham Orchestras as well.
“At Surrey Hills we have about 50 musicians and there’s quite a spread of ages,” Lois said. “I’m the oldest and ages range from people in their 20s upwards.
“I’ve made many friendships over the years playing cello. The other cellists in the orchestra are lovely people – there’s a lawyer, a professor of maths, a GP, a retired minister and retired professional cellist.
“I never learned to a high standard but you improve so much playing with others.”
For Lois, the love affair with the cello began at school when a teacher suggested she try it and lent her one. She had lessons, although admits it wasn’t always a priority for her parents.
“Sometimes I had trouble getting the one and six out of them to pay for a lesson,” she said.
“I met my husband Ron when we were teenagers. He played cello and went on to play double bass. We married and moved to the country and played with Hamilton and Horsham orchestras.
“In 20 years we did 40 musicals with the two orchestras. I have lots of favourites, including Sound of Music and The King and I. It gave us a lot of pleasure over the years.”
When they moved back to Melbourne they continued their involvement with Whitehorse Musical Theatre. Then when Gough Whitlam’s government introduced free university education, Lois completed a BA in music, graduating at age 53.
“Music is so good for developing the brain and keeping it active. You’re using many faculties – you have to listen, follow the conductor, read music and concentrate on your bowing and fingering,” she said.
“I’m involved in other things as well, like the church choir and Probus. It’s important to keep interested in things, especially when you lose a partner.”
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