Bass
Sue McRae joined the Traverse Symphony Orchestra in 2006 and is also a member of the Midland and Alma Symphony Orchestras. The product of a musical family, she studied piano at the age of ten and was chosen for the bass in junior high. She took a few lessons, but was primarily self- taught. While in high school, Sue toured Europe as the principal bass of the Blue Lakes International Orchestra and was a member of the Saginaw Symphony.
Her musical passion was reignited in 1999 when her husband surprised her with a trip to Bavaria (Germany- her mother’s homeland) to purchase a new bass. She found a Poellmann bass, and also met and befriended the Luthiers, whose family has hand-crafted basses for over 100 years. Although the instrument was new, its wood was aged for 40 years and was “broken in” by the principal bass of the Viennese Philharmonic.
Sue has also performed with various pit orchestras, Midland Music Society and the Gaylord Chamber Orchestra.
She resides in Saginaw with her husband John. She works full time as a travel agent, is an aspiring author and enjoys traveling, gardening and riding her Victory motorcycle.
