symphony spotlight
Meet Lorraine Plunkett
conroe symphony Violin
The Road Not Taken (Was the Band Room)
Meet Lorraine Plunkett, violinist and orchestra director — 7 seasons with the CSO.
Lorraine Plunkett picked the violin for the most relatable reason imaginable: she did not want to do what her older siblings did.
“My brother and sister had both been in band, and I did NOT want to follow in their footsteps,” she says. “So I was excited for something different!”
As luck would have it, her fifth-grade year was the very first year Conroe ISD offered orchestra, so Lorraine got her something different, and a lifelong instrument, all at once.
These days, she’s on the other side of that equation. Lorraine is the orchestra director at Stockton Junior High in Conroe, where she just began her 21st year of teaching; introducing a whole new generation to the instrument she chose on a hunch.
Now in her seventh season with the Conroe Symphony Orchestra, she treasures what happens when a whole group of musicians locks in together and loves the comradery of the Musicians.
“Music has the ability to connect people without words, and when you get to do that with an entire symphony, it’s a powerful thing.”
-Lorraine Plunkett
The teacher who shaped her most was her own violin professor, Andrew Wilson, whom she studied with from 11th grade through college.
“He was a major influence on my choice of college and major, which then built my life,” she says. “He told me once that he thought I was put on this earth to play the violin, and that stuck with me.” He also liked to tease her about her braces, about her technique before she met him.
“I am forever thankful that he showed me you can learn to be a musician with hard work, heart, and even humor.”
-Lorraine Plunkett
Lorraine, Off The Stage
She Can't Live Without
her dogs
Favorite Movie
Nacho Libre
(what else would your orchestra director watch :))
Notable Achievements
7 years with the CSO
Orchestra Director at Stockton Jr High
21 Years Teaching
Come Hear Lorraine For Yourself
“The musicians in the orchestra must have music in their hearts to make such a sacrifice to come to rehearsals after their day jobs. They just have music-making as part of their lives.”
— Gary Liebst, Music Director
To Learn More About Our Musicians
Honor Lorraine
Sponsor A Chair
Chair sponsorships are one of the most meaningful ways to support the CSO. Every dollar goes directly toward the artistic operations of the orchestra — music rentals, guest artist fees, venue costs, and the countless behind-the-scenes needs that make each concert possible.
Chair sponsors are recognized in every concert program alongside the musician they support.
Ready to honor a musician?