Donald Howey, a member of the Houston Symphony since 1999, has performed with the Grand Teton Music Festival and the Sun Valley Summer Symphony and has been principal and soloist with the Houston Chamber Orchestra. He began playing the bass at age 15 in his hometown of Sudbury, Massachusetts.
Howey completed his Master’s degree in Music Performance at Rice University in 1998 and graduated with distinction from Boston University in 1995. He is married to harpist Laurie Meister. In addition to busy musical careers, Donald and Laurie are proud parents of two sons, Gunther and Ian.
What inspired you to become a musician?
I think I was first attracted to the double bass by its size and the nature of the sound it makes. Much of the energy that comes out of this instrument works in a different way than most of the other orchestral instruments. When you play double bass, the floor shakes, the music stand rattles, and you can hear the window panes buzz. The double bass is often thought of as a quiet instrument, but it’s not. It’s a different kind of loud. Another way to think of it: part of our job is to be heard and part of our job is to get the room moving.
What hobbies and interests do you have outside of music?
I’m the father of two boys ages 7 and 11, so their hobbies and interests often become mine. From bike rides to camping to playing on the beach, we enjoy a variety of things together. I’ve also become a pretty good shot with a Nerf gun. When the kids are in school, I sometimes get to play a round of golf with friends from the orchestra.
What does music mean to you?
Music is a huge part of my daily life. It’s ubiquitous at home. My wife is also a musician, and we share a practice space so there is rarely time when we are both home and one of us isn’t practicing or listening to recordings or teaching. Quiet time at home has actually become a novelty.
Coming to work is always exciting for me, too. The orchestra is full of some truly extraordinary people, and getting together with them to play this incredible music gives me great joy.
