Roy Martin is Finding Different Stages

a profile on one of Athens' most respected musicians

For 25 years, Roy Martin placed a violin upon his left shoulder and drew his bow to deliver concert master level notes for Athens Symphony Orchestra. The architecture of his body, rhythmic precision of his bow arm and dedication to his practice has yielded two complete muscle and tendon separations in his right rotator cuff, the one that produced once seamless sounds to his ears. One surgery and a full year of recovery later, Martin is finding his way to different stages.

Martin, 75 from Boston, Massachusetts, waits attentively to be conducted at weekly Monday rehearsals for the Athens Symphony Orchestra's spring concert. 

Since he was a child, playing the violin has been an integral part of Martin’s life. After failing at the piano in Kindergarten and the trombone in first grade, he picked up his uncle’s old and very bad, he added, violin.

Practicing, playing, performing for filled crowds in the “wonderful amateur music scene” in Athens has been Martin’s bread and butter. About 10 years ago, he started noticing less control of his bow arm but attributed that to natural aging as he was moving towards 70. For five years, he dealt with the shakes until it became painful to play. As a way to trim playing time but still stay in sync with his musical talent, he joined the choir section of the Athens Symphony Orchestra. He submitted to rotator cuff surgery and began playing again a year later, but on the condition that he wouldn't continue as concert master and attempt to play at a level his body cannot support. 

“I’ve come to the resolution that if I can be helpful, I’ll play at that level and that’s just fine,” he says about finding a seat among the second violin section.

Zach Jones, viola player in the Athens Symphony says Martin's absence among the strings during recovery was apparent.

"He was an incredible friends and an incredible presence in the room. I'm just glad he's here. Playing music is mental therapy, too. He says he's helping out and we are staying healthy," Jones adds.

Martin has stepped away from concert master, but has made strides back to performing with the Athens Symphony Orchestra in their 40th annual spring concert on March 25, where he will not only make a re-debut on the violin, but will resume his place among the choir.

He’s playing again and hearing the music from a new vantage point, but Martin feels conflicted. 

Martin taps his fingers against his chair. “As you age you have to come to a realization that you probably can’t do it and if you could, you wouldn't want to spend the six hours a day that it would take to do it. When I can’t do something because I’m not practicing like I ought to, it’s embarrassing to me, and it’s something that I could’ve easily done,” he says.

Before and during his shoulder injury, Martin became involved in the choir section as a way to stay connected with the symphony and his love for music. He's introducing his vocal talent to Athens with local jazz groups.

In his intentional and slow cadence of voice, Martin said, “I had always wanted to sing…this may sound corny to you…American standard songs with a jazz band.”

He has called upon friend Jim McKillip’s jazz group to do just that. Their first show was introduced at an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) luncheon and will play again for them on May 14, performing Georgia- native Johnny Mercer’s music. 

Roy Martin is a person who is synthesizing a union of his body’s limitations and musical ability. His composed disposition brings a calming mood to the air around him and seems to radiate into the players in his section. They seem to be held together in an ambience of respect and glorious bowing. He cannot be confined to the descriptor "violinist." He is an artist urged to sow his talent in new places where he will continue to create and inspire.  

"He certainly is a very strong player, and he's willing to help those that are weaker players. Having him in the section makes those around him play more confidently and stronger," said Athens Symphony Orchestra Conductor, Susan Dinwiddie.