Page 38 - Phil Nov8th program digital book

Spotlight on

Michael Zammito

the Phil Crew

What do you do for the Phil?
I set up the stage before each concert—risers, podium,
chairs, and music stands for Steven and the musicians.
Each stand gets a light, and I make sure the wiring is
neatly arranged so that everyone can move safely and comfortably.

Once the orchestra and staff begin arriving, I shift into problem-solving mode.
Someone might need help moving equipment or setting up tables. Staff may need
cases of water or decorations brought inside. Programs need to be distributed,
and sometimes the weather adds an extra layer of challenge. Whatever the
situation, my goal is simple: to make things run smoothly so the musicians can
focus on performing their best. If I can make their experience a little easier or
more comfortable, then I’ve done my job.

Why do you like it?
I don’t just like it—I love it. It’s incredibly rewarding to give back to my community
in a meaningful way and to feel like I’m part of something larger—the orchestra
and the community coming together through music.
Was there ever a time that was especially stressful before or during a concert?
Yes, there was one moment that stands out. A new musician was missing just as
the concert was about to start. No one had seen him, and he wasn’t answering
his phone. After a few tense minutes, I finally found him standing quietly near
a back entrance, warming up. It turned out he wasn’t playing in the first piece
and simply didn’t know where the Green Room was. Once we cleared that up,
everything went off without a hitch!
What has been your all-time favorite moment with the Phil?
One of my favorite memories was a Fourth of July performance that began with
an unexpected downpour. It rained heavily right before the concert, and we had
to move quickly to protect the instruments and keep the musicians dry. Everyone
jumped in to help—I loaded instruments (and some soaked musicians in concert
black!) into our cargo truck until the storm passed. When the skies finally cleared,
it turned into a beautiful summer evening, and the orchestra gave an incredible
performance for the people of Plymouth. That concert reminded me how much
teamwork and dedication go into every show.
What’s the most unusual request a musician or guest artist has ever made?
Guitarist Eliot Fisk once needed a music stand that was much shorter than any
of the ones we had. None of our standard stands would work. So I improvised by
modifying one of our sound baffles, attaching a thin strip of wood to create a

36 ~ Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra