THE CONDUCTOR'S NOTES

Sometimes classical music is attacked as elitist: a pastime for the wealthy, or a certain small crust of society. Last night's rehearsal gave the lie to such a view. Persons of all ages, from various communities, of all economic classes, of different faiths, races, and gender made music together bound to each other with common purpose and commitment. Their voices made a beauty that was beyond any individual, but possible only in combination.

I mention all of this because it is good to remind ourselves that a Bryan Symphony Orchestra concert is a community event. It involves the harnessing of so many resources: financial, artistic, and administrative concerns which all come together on Sunday. We can take those resources for granted, we can ignore them, or we can commit to their value and foster them - as we would the raising of our own children.

This is a gentle reminder of the need to care for this institution and others like it. Orchestras, choruses, theater groups, museums, public radio and television and other cultural institutions really do need you not just once but year after year. They need you to give, to buy tickets, to support them through your presence. They need you volunteer your time, to ensure they don't become elitist, but reflect the diversity and values of our entire region. They need you to be interested.

When we perform on Sunday, it will be a celebration of the best we can become. Even as we rehearsed last night, parts were already being bowed in Nashville and, in my office, we had been preparing the parts for the first rehearsal of the winds, brass, and percussion, which will take place later this week. By the time you read this, The Grandeur of God will be almost ready for its premiere, and we will be so familiar with it, that it will seem less like introducing a new work than presenting an old friend.

When we offer our individual gifts to each other, the whole is far greater than any one of us can ever hope to be when we are alone.

Come join us, and honor this great effort with your presence.

John Dodson

Robert Jager: An Appreciation

Robert Jager has had an enduring relationship with this orchestra. He has attended its concerts each season, written program notes for many of its concert booklets, and written extraordinary music which the orchestra presented, often for the first time, in concert.

Even when the Bryan Symphony Orchestra was the Tech Community Symphony Orchestra, it played works by Jager. I remember a performance in the 1970's of War Prayer, and a symphony was played under Jager's baton during the 1980's. In the 1990's, the orchestra continued to present his works; the orchestra premiered Kokapelli Dances, with flautist Roger Martin, and the orchestral version of the Percussion Concerto with Joe Rasmussen. Bryan Symphony Orchestra audiences have heard The Pied Piper of Hamlin with the composer narrating and I Dream of Peace with the Cumberland Children's Chorus collaborating with their guests from other states. Last season we played the Suite from Edvard Munch, and now comes The Grandeur of God, a work which draws together all of our musical forces, set to the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins.

It has been a rare privilege to conduct the recent performances. I have often been struck by the enthusiasm Jager's music generates among our players in the orchestra. He writes so well for the instruments that it is a pleasure to play the music. His music is idiomatic for each instrument and it creates interesting new orchestral colors. Beyond those characteristics, though, his music is expressive. It speaks to the heart. His is modern music which neither panders to the public nor leaves it cold. It has humanity; it connects to us and touches us. Last summer, when I recorded Jager's music ;in Russia, I was struck by the orchestra's immediate commitment to it, the musicians' curiosity about the composer, and their hope that they would someday meet each other. How many contemporary composers excite an orchestra these days?

My own feelings about Robert Jager are not confined to his roles as teacher or composer. He has been a mentor to me, and, as the years have passed, he has been a friend without parallel. I have valued his wisdom and his humor; I have found comfort in his companionship, and his deep love of beauty in all its forms. It is no surprise that he is a gardener; he is not content to accept the happenstance of nature, but is driven to partner with it in making something even more lovely. There is a Zen-like quality to his property - things are as they should be - a balance between the natural world and human aesthetics.

As a person, Jager is a man of deep integrity, and I know that he will be missed in these halls. Students have benefitted from his teaching, faculty from his advice, the university from his stature.

I wish him the very best, and I am glad that he will be able to spend more time with his beloved Sally and have fewer distractions from his composing. I am sure that this orchestral performance of his music is not the last our community will enjoy, although it may be one of the most poignant - for all of us.

John Dodson

A Message from the Volunteer Coordinator

Our next Social will be hosted at the lovely home of Dr. Lee and Cheryl Moore, 1900 R. D. Anderson Road, on Friday, April 27 from 6-8 p.m. and will feature the always delicious appetizers of Peggy Holleman and The Proof of Pudding. Directions to the Moore's home can be obtained at the time you make your reservation. As our final Social of the season, we have some very special auction items to offer. We will have for your bidding:

• A lovely framed original acrylic from B.C. North titled "The Gatherer."
• A "Blues, Brews andQ's" dinner party for 8-12 people hosted by Steve and Kay Ellis, with the "Brews" donated by Budweiser of Cookeville.
• The decorating expertise of La Vonna Phy from La Vonna's Interiors, offering us two packages of decorating hours and advise.
• A great watercolor framed print from local artist Roger Smith entitle "Sunflowers."
• A beautiful glass vessel from the Appalachian Craft Center artist Curtiss Brock.
• Dinner for Four in the Courtyard from Crawdaddy's.
• Repelling lessons from local expert repeller, Bobby Lee!
• And one more very special item: as you may know, the next concert will feature a new work by our very own renowned composer, Robert Jager, titled The Grandeur of God. Bob has offered to us, for auction, a copy of the score for this piece of music, which will include, inscribed in his hand, a signed page of actual manuscript, which will be framed for posterity. This is a once in a lifetime chance to own a piece of history, and we are thrilled to offer it to you.

Don't forget that you may pay at the door, but we need your reservation by Mondy April 23. And our next Preview Luncheon will be here in Cookeville at the First Presbyterian Church, with reservations due by Wednesday, the 25th. Reservations for both events can be made by calling the symphony office at 372-6088.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all those whom I have worked with over the last few years. It's taken a lot of very hard work to get the name of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra Association out there, and as your first-ever Volunteer Coordinator, despite the sometimes frustrating moments, overall it has been a most rewarding experience. I've met and worked with some of the best. I believe, however, that the time has come to let someone else take the helm. As of next season, I will be stepping down from this position, but will look forward to remaining on the Board of Directors and continuing my support of one of the finest orchestras in the Southeast, and certainly the jewel of the Upper Cumberland . Thank you all your kind words and support over the past few years. It has been my pleasure.

Jan Tate
Volunteer Coordinator

Notes from the President

This year we began something new, our Symphony Socials. These were the brainchild of Jan Tate and many thanks go to her for the coordination of these events. They have been a success, but one that can be improved on. I offer the board's appreciation to the generosity of the families that opened their homes to us for these events.

I would like to thank all the board members for their participation, their direction and their support of such a worthwhile body. I also offer my thanks to my wife and all the spouses of the board members for allowing us to devote our time to BSOA.

Last but not least, I thank the faculty members and students who play in the orchestra. Through their dedication, professionalism and love of music we are able to enjoy the concerts that we have.

We expect next season to provide you with another enjoyable series of concerts. To make the season successful and for the BSOA to continue to prosper we need the support of all association members and the community as a whole. Support is needed in the form of financial support as well as volunteer time. The board will be bringing you some exciting opportunities for both avenues of support next year.

Ed Haworth

SEASON TICKET HOLDERS

Brochures with program and ticket information for the 2001-2002 season will be reaching you soon. You will have the opportunity at the April 29th concert to purchase your season tickets for next year. Look for a table in the lobby of the Bryan Fine Arts Building which will be set up for that purpose.

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Bryan Symphony Orchestra
Office: Room 355 372-6088
Bryan Fine Arts Building
e-mail address: bryansymphony@tntech.edu
Gail Luna, Executive Director and Co-editor of Notes and Notices

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