Artist rediscovers music
Monica Morosan picked up her violin again after immigrating to Canada with her family. She performs regularly with the Malaspina Choir and the Nanaimo Chamber Orchestra.
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Updated: November 03, 2009 3:31 PM
It was five long years before Monica Morosan was able to pick up her violin and play it again. She had been a member of the Medical Symphonic Orchestra in Bucharest, Romania, but in 2003, when her second son was born, she had to give up her music to take care of him.
“He was very ill and I had to stay home with him,” explained Morosan who at that time was a dental hygienist. “Bucharest is a very crowded and polluted town. We had hoped to move our family to the mountain area of Romania but a cousin of mine, who was living in Canada, suggested we move to Vancouver Island. It took a year to arrange but we managed to get here. My son is now in perfect health and doing well.”
When the young family of four arrived in Nanaimo two years ago, both parents had no choice but to change careers. Morosan became a floral designer, something she had always enjoyed as a hobby, and her husband, who had been a nurse, began university studies in media. With her sons now healthy and happy she turned once again to her own passion – music.
“Music is something I can’t live without,” she said. She saw an advertisement in a local newspaper calling for new members to join the Malaspina Choir. She signed up. One thing led to another and within the year she also became a member of the Nanaimo Chamber Orchestra.
Music has had a major role in Morosan’s life right from early childhood.
Lessons were provided in after-school programs.
“I took violin because we couldn’t afford a piano. Four years later my parents were renovating an apartment for an old man who no longer had room for an old concert grand piano and he gave it to them. I was then able to take piano lessons.”
It was when her parents bought her a violin of her own that she knew it was to be her instrument, her passion in life.
“Before then we had used the school’s student violins. My mother was very impressed with my progress and my teacher said that I deserved a full-sized violin. They made a big effort to buy it.”
With her new violin Morosan continued her studies at the School of Music and Art in Bucharest.
“I still play that violin today,” she added.
Like her parents, Morosan encourages her own children with their music. Both sons are taking lessons through the Nanaimo Conservatory; her oldest is studying piano and oboe, and her youngest, who is only in Grade 1, is taking harp.
“Since coming to Canada we have watched André Rieu concerts on DVD and my son has fallen in love with the lady playing the harp. I suggested he play piano first but no, he really wants harp.”
Morosan sings with the Malaspina Choir in La Diva and Le Choir Nov. 15, 2 p.m., at the Port Theatre. Tickets are available by calling 250-754-8550.
Morosan also plays with the Nanaimo Chamber Orchestra Nov. 27, 7:30 p.m., in The Candles of Christmas at Brechin United Church.
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