Oregon Experience: Sagebrush Symphony

Mary's Method

Over the years Mary Dodge became increasingly interested in a scientific approach to bowing.  She traveled to France to study the suspended bow arm technique and even enrolled in chiropractic school to learn about the interaction of the body's muscles and bones. 

She believed making music was very mechanical - all about proper posture, balance and strength.  She placed weights on parts of the violin or bow arm so the student would gain strength quickly and feel the correct force and balance.  Mary wrote extensively on the subject believing that every child had music in them - if the child just used proper technique, the music would come out.

During her career Mary Dodge produced many outstanding musicians including former Sagebrusher, Ruth Saunders Leupold, who went on to become an assistant concert master with the Portland Junior Symphony Orchestra; Glenn Reeves, a principal violist of the Oregon Symphony; Oregon Symphony violinist Marion Fox; and Robert Mann who helped found the Julliard String Quartet.