Another orchestra leader becomes an airline pilot

Another orchestra leader becomes an airline pilot

Orchestras

norman lebrecht

March 22, 2023

Jumping into the size-sixes of conductor Daniel Harding, who flies major interntional routes for Air France, the concertmaster of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra in Maryland has just obtained his pilot’s licence and will be flying for Delta subsidiary Endeavor Air.

First Officer Netanel Draiblate is in charge of an Endeavor Air CRJ 900. He says: ‘I bought a 77-cent hook that attaches the violin to my suitcase. You might see me in the airport and notice me because I’ll have my flight uniform and a traveling violin.’

Comments

  • alexis piantedoux says:

    probably the only violinist that can take his instrument on board without even think to be refused to board it at the check in…

  • Samach says:

    -so long as he doesn’t vacate his co-pilot’s seat so his violin can get its own seat

    – so long as he doesn’t fiddle while the plane burns

    – so long as doesn’t practice the flight of the bumble bees, or the lark ascending, or…

  • Hadenough says:

    Excellent role model and strong career move. I spent 30 yrs juggling concert pianist and executive mgmt. careers with no regrets.

  • Robert Holmén says:

    “Good morning, welcome to Endeavor flight 752! While we’re waiting for the jets ahead of us to take off, I have some scales I’m sure you’ll enjoy…”

  • Fred Funk says:

    Here’s a violinist that can fly a plane. And as a conductor, he’ll launch into orbit, out of frustration, with the viola section.

  • Raniero Tazzi says:

    And great Italian pianist Roberto Cominati pilots passenger and cargo flights as well. And Pianist Alexander Beyer (bronze medal at Queen Elizabeth) is a fighter jet pilot for US Navy.

  • C says:

    Roberto Cominati Is a pilot as well

  • Vera Micznik says:

    What made Daniel Harding want to pilot a plane? May the responsibility of playing the violin wasn’t weighing enough for him?

  • L.G. says:

    Baptiste-Florian Marle-Ouvrand, a French organist based in Paris is also a pilot.

  • Joseph says:

    The American organist Wm. Erik Suter (formerly organist of Washington National Cathedral) has been flying for several decades; more recently organist Simon Thomas Jacobs (1st Prize winner, St Albans 2013) transitioned to flying as his primary occupation.

  • Patrick Nugent says:

    He’s a great guy with a lot of accomplishments and deserves more coverage. He founded and still directs the Annapolis Symphony Academy, which serves kids from pre-school through high-school, and he’s an extremely successful fundraiser. Do some more digging!

  • MOST READ TODAY: