As second bass for Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Brian Zeigler of Somerset has the height to handle his large instrument.
At 6 feet 6 inches tall, Zeigler has no problem keeping his bass upright.

As a member of the first violin section of Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Jean Sedlar of Richland Township has a history of championing the cause of music programs at a grade school level. She has been with the symphony since 1973, a year after she arrived in Johnstown to teach history at Pitt-Johnstown and has played regularly, except when she has been on sabbatical.

As second percussionist for Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Michael Vatavuk sometimes clashes with the rest of the orchestra. “I play bells, cymbals, bass drums and snare drums,” said Vatavuk, who lives in the Somerset County community of Blough. “All percussionists play different instruments.”

As principal bassoonist for Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Michael F. Kokus is in the spotlight at every concert. “I’m expected to play all the solo lines. At every concert, I play things no one else plays, by myself,” he said. A relatively new member of the symphony, Kokus has been principal bassoonist since 2007. “I became a sub in 2004, then went from sub to second bassoon,” Kokus said. “I became principal in 2007.” Being a lead player in the woodwind section means that Kokus has to be in control.

Beth Good of Hollsopple is a key player. She has been a member of the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra since 1979 and its principal pianist since 1998. Good grew up in Davidsville, and hardly remembers a time when she didn’t play the piano.

As bass trombonist for Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Roger Johnston of Somerset bridges the musical gap between the two other trombones and the tuba.

As second trombonist for Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Dana Menser of Somerset can’t let anything slide. Menser started playing with the symphony in 1976, after graduating from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Winchester, Va.

As second clarinetist for Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Rebecca Catelinet of Westmont keeps in harmony with the rest of the orchestra. While the principal clarinetist has more to play, including more solos, the second clarinetist adds harmony and sometimes plays together with first clarinetist, Catelinet said.

As principal French horn player for Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Dennis Emert is glad he didn’t follow his childhood dream of playing the saxophone. Emert, who lives in Monroeville, began lessons on the French horn in sixth grade, when no one wanted to play the horn, including him.

Beth Pile of Somerset County doesn’t mind playing second fiddle. Pile began her stint with the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra as first violinist in 1989, then moved to second when an opening came about.

As principal timpanist for Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Ronald Horner carries a big stick and knows how to use it. Horner's sticks are not the plain wooden variety because a standard drumstick would punch a hole in the timpani, or kettle drums.

As principal percussionist for Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Gloria Miller makes sure all the crashes and bashes happen at the right times.

As second cello with the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Darlene Lopresti plays second fiddle to no one. A symphony veteran, Lopresti will start her 38th season with the orchestra this fall.