Friday, May 27, 2005
The reunion kicked off with the Alumni Artist's Recital held at St. Paul Lutheran Church. For almost two hours, all in attendance to the nearly sold-out recital were treated to an excellent and varied assortment of classical and contemporary performances. In all, 20 alumni donated their talents to provide solos and ensembles. Those artists were as follows in the order of their appearances: Larry Hill, Alan Rafferty, Ann Rosandich, Kathie Loesch Jarrett, Densi McElderry Rushing, Renee Moore Skerik, Vic Firlie, Chris Jones, Rachel Harris Mazzullo, Megan Julyan Holland, Robyn Julyan, Steve Hearn, Thomas Shoebotham, Claudia Giese, James Harvey, accompanist Craig Brown, Shirien Taylor Donahue, Larry Watson, Damian Montano & David Felberg. Other alumni also helped to provide accompaniment and page-turning duties. It was obvious by observing the audience members expressions of astonishment that they were greatly impressed with the night's program.
Following the recital was a short reception with snacks and punch. There was a loud, joyful noise which filled the halls as everyone reconnected with the conductors and as many fellow alumni as they could recognize (pictured name tags weren't provided until the following morning). As the AYS had been only allowed the building's usage until 10:00pm, the crowd literally had to be shooed out the door. Some continued their conversations outside in the windy parking lot with the rest having to wait until the next morning at Popejoy Hall.
Saturday May 28, 2005
Beginning at 10:00am the reunion registration began in the lobby of Popejoy Hall. Each registrant was given an individually marked AYS gray & black tote bag filled with all of their reunion goodies: their music folder, name tag, event tickets and maps, orchestra seating chart, official reunion t-shirt, a DVD of KNME's "Colores" program featuring the Albuquerque Youth Symphony, one AYS pencil and one bottle of water.
At 11:00am the alum were treated to their very own AYS concert in Popejoy Hall under the direction of the current conductor, Amir Kats featuring the entire 2004-2005 AYS. Pieces that were performed were Bach's Passacaglia and Fugue in C Minor & Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4 in F Minor.
After a break for lunch, the Alumni Orchestra gathered onto the Popejoy stage for the first 3-hour rehearsal. As there were so many attendees who had opted to play with the Alumni Orchestra, the seating was pre-determined with each stand having their respective alumni names on them for easy location. Due to so many on the stage, seating was tight and interesting at times, especially for the string players. Great care had to be taken not to poke someone in the head with a moving bow or damage someone's instrument. After the first few shaky minutes of rehearsal and with some slight adjustments, orchestra members found their own safe space, which was clear of mishaps and allowed them each to play freely. No injuries were reported.
The National Hispanic Cultural Center was the site for the Gala Dinner party. All enjoyed the Mexican buffet while being entertained by a marimba band. This was the first time for many attendees to be able to locate and be reacquainted with their long-lost friends. Amidst the picture-taking and catching up, alumni were able to also visit with past AYS conductor, Dale Kempter, along with current conductors and staff.
Sunday, May 29, 2005
At 11:00am the Brunch was held in the UNM Sub Ballroom. The tables were arranged by decades so that it was a little easier to locate friends from the same era. Each attendee had a chocolate favor bag at their place setting, which contained M&M's (specially imprinted with "AYS 50th anniversary" & "AYS Alumni Reunion") in a custom AYS reunion bag. These favor bags were hand-made by the AYS staff specifically for this Alumni event.
After all had gotten their food from the breakfast buffet, the program began with the first speaker - Laura Snyder Dickinson (Viola, 1968). As the current AYS Alumni Association President, she gave a wonderful history and origin of the uniforms of the AYS, from mini-skirts to the maroon dresses to the current blue dresses of today. She noted that the maroon dresses were the staple of the AYS program for 30 years and that the maroon reunion t-shirts paid homage to that era.
Speaking second, was Dale E. Kempter, the current AYS Music Director and the past AYS conductor. He gave the "short version" of the history of the AYS, which began with Kurt Fredrickson and Ted Rush conducting. During the talk it was apparent how important certain steps and people were to getting where the AYS Program is today - from its inception of a small group of mixed middle school and high school musicians to the 5 orchestras and over 400 children that are now under the AYS Program umbrella. Mr. Kempter also acknowledged the past & present conductors along with past & present AYS Parent's Association officers and AYSP Board members, whom without their efforts the program would not be what it is today. He also presented the Executive Director, Kristine Purrington with a plaque.
Next up was the current AYS Executive Director, Kristine Purrington. She highlighted the exciting upcoming 50th anniversary events of the AYS, including the AYS tour to Brazil and a visit to the AYS Program by famed violinist, Midori. She also acknowledged Dale Kempter for all his hard work by announcing the renaming of the Endowment Fund to the "Dale E. Kempter Legacy Endowment Fund for the Albuquerque Youth Symphony" and commemorated it with a plaque.
The last speaker for the morning was the current AYS Program Board President, Regina Chavez (Violin, 1975). Her subject was "Looking to the Future" and focused on the need for securing the AYS Programs' future with ongoing monetary contributions. She challenged the alumni to each pledge $1,000 to the AYS over the next 3 years and announced that two alumni have each pledged $50,000.00 over the next three years: Janice Johnston Lucero (Violin, 1974) & Marie Brasher Robertson (Violin, 1966).
The final rehearsal took place next. Final efforts to mark the proper bowings, pauses & tempo changes were being made all throughout the rehearsal. A break was given after the rehearsal for dinner and/or further practicing as needed.
At 6:00pm the 2005 Alumni Reunion Orchestra performed its concert beginning with the Overture to Colas Breugnon by Dimitri Kabalevsky conducted by current AYS conductor, Amir Kats and followed by the Symphony No. 8 in G major, Opus 88 by Antonin Dvorak conducted by past AYS conductor, Dale E. Kempter. The orchestra was dressed in their official maroon alumni reunion t-shirts and either slacks or a skirt. There was a good-sized crowd of several hundred family, friends and reunion attendees that chose not to play in the orchestra.
In addition to many alumni siblings that played together in the concert, there were many past boyfriend/girlfriend combos and some currently married couples: Denise Fligner/Terry Edwards; Bonnie Rhodes Husler/John Husler & Karen Romero Snyder/Kurt Snyder, along with some parents & children: Laura Snyder Dickinson/ Maria Dickinson; Gretchen Senter Obenauf/Elisabeth Obenauf & Richard Obenauf; Marie Brasher Robertson/Aaron Robertson & Justin Robertson; Tom Schripsema/David Schripsema; & Jeff Brody/Caitlin Brody.
Following the concert, 12 huge sheet cakes were cut in the lobby to commemorate the start of the official 50th anniversary of the AYS Program. The lobby and surrounding areas were packed with people saying their last good-byes, having their cake and making arrangements to keep in touch.