OCR Text |
Show f v , The 20 members of the Golden Years Symphony Orchestra play because they want to keep a certain class of music alive, according to Lester Nielson, retired Granite School administrator and violist in the orchestra. She is now gest break came when the orchestra gained a permanent conductor. MR. DeJONGE knew of Marvin Strong who was past conductor of the Salt Lake Municipal Band in Liberty Park. Mr. Strong, also a retired music supervisor in Granite School District, had founded the Granite Youth Symphony Orchestra. I Mr. DeJonge said, finally got up the nerve to give him a telephone call and his response was very enMr. Strong couraging. agreed to direct the orchestra. ALTHOUGH some members of the orchestra like Horace Beesley, Clyde White, Sterling Beesley are professional musicians, others have developed music as a hobby, and just enjoy the association of playing together, said Luella Lundgren, orchestra librarian. The orchestra completed a concert at the Festival of Trees at the Salt Palace and will play fwo Christmas concerts - one at the Bountiful said Mrs. tired. THE ORCHESTRA started about five years ago when the Golden Hours Center Board r asked John Stahle, Jr., owner and publisher of the Davis '.County Clipper and Week-il- y to organize an Reflex, ."orchestra. We started out with one member me. At - practiced all alone and jdid solos. Then I put an ad in the paper. : The first musician to join I Mr. Stahle was Benno Kossin, who is now first violinist and ' concert master. Then Mr. Stahle advertised again and both de- Council. Nicolaas DeJonge, who is now secretary of the orchestra, r;: Beesley, scendants of Ebenezer and Alvin Beesley, founders of Beesley Music Company in Salt Lake City, belong to the orchestra. Horace, who began playing the flute 60 years ago, was a professional musician with the Utah Symphony for seven years. After retiring as a professional musician, he joined the Golden Years Symphony Orchestra. Sterling Beesley began as a professional violinist 40 years ago. As a member of the Salt Lake Musicians Union, he played for dances and weddings, but never joined an orchestra. Sterling Beesley was employed for 40 years by United Airlines before he retired. Then, joined not only the orchestra, but was also elected to the Bountiful City but were all too Lundgren, busy even though were re- 'first years ago before he came to the United States. He plays first violin in the symphony orchestra as well as playing the piano and organ. During world war II, Mr. Kossin played band music in hospi-tal- s in Germany for wounded soldiers. When he came to the United States, he became a cabinet maker while he played music for fun. He has been a concert master with the orchestra since it was founded. BROTHERS Horace and Sterling Golden Years Center on Dec. 20 and one at the Clearfield Center on Dec. 23. We could perform more, serving a mission for the LDS Church. The big- EVEN THOUGH Sterling had played for fun and for church groups for 40 years, joined, along with several other members. hesays he was pretty rusty MR. DeJONGE remembers '.in those early years the Orchestra rehearsed in the main room in the Golden Years Center where such activities as pool games and ) meal preparation also took It was distracting, place. Mr. DeJonge said. The orchestra, with the help of Center Director DeLois Robins, acquired a piano and a larger hall to practice in. when he began to play with the Golden Years Orchestra two years ago. Some of the musicians learned to play in foreign countries. Mr. DeJonge said he began playing the violin in 19 in Holland. My wife and I used to play in the kitchen, he said. BENNO Kossin, concert-maste- r, played ballroom music in Germany 20 or 30 v 4 ' j .. Jv v ?- J , f. A ? V t .m li in Contributing to the quality of the orchestra are six of the eight women in the orchestra. Master Benno Kossin and violinist iig Beesley play a selection from My Fair Lady. r'once MRS. LUNDGREN was the first woman to join the orchestra four years ago. She began to play the cello when she was 45, after her daughter started to school. She has also played in the Westminster Symphony Community Orchestra for several years. Vera Edwards, a three year orchestra member, plays the cello. In addition to the cello, Mrs. Edwards plays the guitar, saxophone and clarinet and sings with the orchestra. There are six women in the group. Ardella Mills, pianist, says she just retired recently from one organization after playing the piano for 60 years. Jr f ' ' ' - v J , & V MR. STAHLE says there have been a lot of changes in the five years since the orchestra started. Mr. Stahle, who plays six musical infirst struments, played clarinet and then drums for the orchestra. Then Mr. Strong said, the orchestra needed a saxophone. Now hes playing that instrument. Mr. Nielsen played the violin for many years and then taught himself to play the viola. Music has always been a sideline with him as he was a principal and administrator in Granite School District before he retired. Now he plays viola in the orchestra. THE GOLDEN Years Symphony Orchestra plays music. We dont get into deep overtures, Mr. Stahle said. They semi-classic- Conductor Marvin Strong leads the orchestra. 1 al are currently rehearsing music from My Fair Lady to play at the Christmas As well as being a talented flautist, Horace Beesley plays the piccolo. Con- certs. rk Photos by Fred Wright r in w 'mv s $ v 1 Section concentrates on Christmas selections. Bountiful Golden Years Symphony Orchestra Played To Christmas Concerts String Section rehearses. President of the orchestra John Stahle plays saxophone and drums. |