Pat Francis, Violin

Violinist Pat Francis has been in the San Diego Symphony 55 years, longer than any other San Diego Symphony musician. She is a proud graduate of San Diego’s Hoover High School, and she received a BA in music and teaching credentials from San Diego State University. Her teachers were Henry Kolar, Concertmaster San Diego Symphony (1959-61) and Gilbert Bach of SDSU.

During her long career, Pat Frances has been: Concert Mistress, Hoover High School Orchestra; Member of San Diego Youth Symphony (Walter Peterson); Concert Mistress, Civic Youth Orchestra (Daniel Lewis). She taught music K-7 La Mesa Spring Valley School District for 10 years and played her first concert with the San Diego Symphony in August 1955 with Ferde Grofé as guest conductor. Pat joined the San Diego Symphony in 1957, and has also performed with the San Diego Chamber Orchestra and the San Diego Opera. She has been Assistant Librarian for the San Diego Symphony and Librarian for the San Diego Chamber Orchestra.

Among Pat Francis’ many accomplishments, she: Wrote a grant to enhance the study of guitars in the La Mesa Spring Valley School District; Was able to purchase enough guitars for every 4th grade student to receive 9 lessons; Introduced the first vocal festival in La Mesa School District; Initiated the successful fundraiser “Symphony Sunday” at the Civic Theatre. Pat Francis has been: Orchestra social chairperson for 3 years; Member of the Symphony Cookbook committee; Liaison to the Orchestra Auxiliary Council’s Docent Program for Young Peoples Concert; Orchestra Coach for Helix High School. She helped to originate the Symphony’s “Meet A Musician” program.