Normally a classical musician wouldn't be equated with world records, but one member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has defied expectation. Bassist Jane Little, 87, has now been inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for longest professional tenure with a single orchestra.
In what seems nearly impossible, the bassist has spanned the entire history of the Atlanta Symphony, having joined the group in 1945 when it was considered a youth orchestra under the tutelage of Henry Sopkin. Two years later the orchestra went pro.
Little remarked of her illustrious career with the company:
"We played in the old city auditorium, the old barn, we called it. They had everything there, the circus, the ice shows, wrestling ...We had to put up with a lot of Saturday morning rehearsals when they were taking the wrestling rink down from the night before and throwing beer bottles around."
Little is a double bass player with the orchestra and originally had dreams of becoming a ballerina until she discovered she was not coordinated enough to move her feet. She was, howver, able to push a bow just fine.
For an instrument that's male-dominated, at 4 feet 11 inches Little is perhaps one of the smallest double bass players around. Being such a petite woman, the instrument would have seemed to be too grand for her to play.
But as time has shown, that was far from the case.
Beginning tonight, Feb. 4, Little will celebrate her seventy-first anniversary with the company to the day. It will mark a triumphant celebration for a group and a woman who remain the opus of music in Atlanta.
Congratulations to Ms. Little as she continues to perform with dedication, loyalty and above all unremitting passion.
Give the magnificent player a preview below for the time being.
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