Published: March 12, 2009 01:37 pm      

'I like it where I am' | Somerset man is second bass in symphony

BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

As second bass for Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Brian Zeigler of Somerset has the height to handle his large instrument.

At 6 feet 6 inches tall, Zeigler has no problem keeping his bass upright.

Zeigler began playing bass in elementary school.

Born in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Zeigler attended elementary school in Indiana, where his teacher thought it would be a good idea for someone as tall as he was to play the upright bass.

“I think I was in second grade,” Zeigler said.

“I wasn’t particularly interested in strings, but it fit. I played the tuba in high school. I always take the big ones and have to haul them around.”

Moved to Somerset

By the time he was in junior high school, Zeigler’s family had moved to Somerset.

He joined the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra as a member of its Youth Orchestra at age 15.

“I wasn’t into sports, so music was my interest,” Zeigler said.

“I was in chorus and played in band and jazz band in high school, then played in jazz band in college.”

Zeigler attended Susquehanna University, where he majored in economics, minored in music and also taught bass.

Toured with orchestra, choir

The summer after he graduated from Somerset Area High School, Zeigler toured with American Music Abroad, an orchestra and choir that performed in 15 cities in seven countries in six weeks.

“It was really neat,” he said.

After he graduated from high school, Zeigler was music and marching instructor for the Somerset Area High School band from 1993-95.

Zeigler explained that Johnstown Symphony Orchestra uses five to six upright basses, depending on what the music requires.

As second chair, Zeigler takes his direction from first-chair bass Nathan Santos.

“I’ve never desired to be first chair,” Zeigler said.

“I like it where I am. When Nathan isn’t there, I fill in for him.”

Like family

After playing in Johnstown Symphony for so many years, Zeigler believes he is among family.

“It breaks up the day,” Zeigler said.

“I’ve been going to concerts for so long, it feels like I have to play. When you keep an interest in the orchestra over the years, the better it gets. At the end of the day, most of us do it for enjoyment.”

Zeigler’s parents have gone to Johnstown Symphony concerts since he started playing, and his grandparents, whom Zeigler now drives, have attended concerts for 50 years.

Three symphonies

At one time, Zeigler played for Johns-town, Altoona and Westmoreland symphonies simultaneously, but now he plays only for Johnstown.

“I think a lot of the Johnstown members played for more than one orchestra, so they didn’t make the schedules conflicting,” Zeigler said.

Through high school, Zeigler had his own landscaping business.

“I had worked for someone else and decided to go into the business,” Zeigler said.

“I planted trees and bushes, mulched and mowed grass.”

He also managed two restaurants after he graduated from college.

“The day before I graduated, my best friend said he was going to Harrisburg, and I should pack up and join him,” Zeigler said.

“The opportunity turned up, and I ended up managing Wanda’s Restaurant and Nightclub in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, for almost two years.”

He also opened and managed Café Fratelli in the Georgian Place, a restaurant that has since closed.

Zeigler is best known as the owner-operator of Hauger-Zeigler Funeral Home at 494 W. Main St., Somerset.

Now a fourth-generation funeral director, he always knew he would enter into the family business.

When the time came, he attended and graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and returned home to Somerset.

“I became involved in other ventures so my father and grandfather would know I can make it on my own,” Zeigler said.

“I’ve worked at the funeral home since 1998. I bought it in 2007 and became owner-operator.”

With four employees, Zeigler is able to get away for practices and performances with the symphony.

When he is at home, Zeigler enjoys cooking, but no baking, he emphasized.

“I think it comes from working in restaurants,” he said.

“You pick up some know-how. I like to have people over and cook for them.”

Zeigler also enjoys golfing in the Somerset area and when he goes on vacation.

He is a former member of the board of directors at Laurel Arts in Somerset.



Brian Zeigler

Position: Second bass for Johnstown Symphony Orchestra.

Age: 34.

Residence: Somerset.

Education: Attended Susquehanna University, where he majored in economics and minored in music. Graduate of Robert Morris University and Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science.

Employment: Owner-operator of Hauger-Zeig-ler Funeral Home, Somerset.

Family: Girlfriend, mother and brother.