Eastman School of Music Gala Dinner, held at City Grill, Rochester, NY, October 10th, 2015
By Andrew Psarris
Every year, we get to step back and see where our alumni have been. During Meliora Weekend 2015, I had the opportunity to meet with many alumni and heard the various stories they had to tell: whether it be walking all the way from the Prince Street dorms to Eastman every morning in the snow and cold — something recent graduates never had to contend with — or going on a two-month long international tour with the Philharmonia under Howard Hanson in 1962. As a roving reporter, I had the opportunity to obtain an invitation to the Gala Dinner. While there, Dean Rossi honored the 50th anniversary alumni, whom you can see in the photos wearing their medals. But he also honored those who had graduated earlier, including one woman who graduated in the 1940s!
As a recent Eastman graduate, it is too early for me to get nostalgic — indeed I still go here — but I can put myself in their shoes. Many of these people have lived incredible lives in and outside of music. I remember our late Dean Doug Lowry saying, “When I travel the country and meet our alumni who are in different fields, I ask them, do they regret going to Eastman now that they are in a field other than music?” They would always tell him no, because the education they received at Eastman conferred upon them the discipline and perseverance to do extremely well in almost anything. That is the story of many people I met: engineers, lawyers, and doctors who went to Eastman. Being a double degree student myself, this is especially meaningful. I have interests other than music; I was never one to put all my eggs in one basket, so to see people who thought the way I do fifty years ago, and who came out all right, was more than simply consequential.
Meliora Weekend is always an intellectual and musical feast. Whether it be Walter Isaacson’s sage advice about combining technology and music, Kristin Chenoweth’s down-to-earth career advice, or the beautiful brass pieces of alumnus Eric Ewazen, the weekend was never boring. I think about what the world and Eastman will be like in 50 years, when my 50th anniversary will occur. If Eastman is anything like it is today, it should still be a wonderful place for musical immersion. Meliora Weekend 2065, book it.
Welcome reception with Dean Jamal Rossi at Miller’s Center, Eastman School of Music, October 9th, 2015.