Date Time Submitted:

Saturday, May 10, 2008 6:44 PM

From:

Danielle Baker

Member Type:

Musician

Last Year:

2003

Instrument:

Bassoon

Now Lives In:

London, KY

Comments:

My favorite CKYO memory (so many, but this one was pretty good.) was at the Mother’s Day Concert at the Singletary Center probably about 4 years ago... Mr. Brigg’s had rode his bike to Singletary and during the dress rehearsal the strings were playing something so all the woodwinds, brass, and percussion players left the stage. Andrew Boyce, Langston, and me were trying to talk Caleb into riding Mr. Brigg’s bike through were the seats are because his back would be to him and the orchestra would just start cracking up and if he got caught Mr. Brigg’s wouldn’t care too much because he was his prize trumpet player. But he wouldn’t do it, but it was still pretty funny. I also remember playing a concert at a school and Townsend Gregg laid his cello on it’s side when we were going to have lunch. Byron Farrar somehow managed to poke a HOLE into Townsend’s cello with his end piece. On the bus ride back to the Singletary Center I was sitting with Townsend, who was white as a ghost and had sweat beading down his forehead. He was so nervous. He was like “My mom is going to KILL ME!!!” and I was like, “Is your mom religious?”. Townsend replied, “No, why?” and I said, “Well if she was you could say you have a ‘holy’ cello.” I also remember less than a year after my mom bought me a brand new Fox 240 bassoon we were playing a concert at the Opera House. The strings were playing a piece and the non string players all left the stage. When the song was over I was trying to get back to my seat and at the time I was Principal bassoonist of the Concert Orchestra so I had a 2 stands and chairs to squeeze by to get to my seat. I laid my seat strap down and as I went to sit down the boot of my bassoon fell off and SLAMMED down on the stage. The concert hall was pretty much quiet before that and after that all I heard was a loud gasp from the audience... it was my mom of course and she lectured me all the way back home to London.

Since CKYO I’ve completed 2 years of college.

Date Time Submitted:

Friday, May 09, 2008 6:11 AM

From:

Pat Price (Fegley)

Member Type:

Musician

Last Year:

1967

Instrument:

Viola

Now Lives In:

Lexington, KY

Comments:

There are too many great memories to try to find a favorite.  I loved the summer workshop that included bonfires (with singing) and square dancing and getting to know all the members before the school year began.  Summer camp also included shaving cream fights and working on the camp newspaper. 

The Sunday afternoon bus trips and run-out concerts to various Kentucky towns were fun.

My senior year I sat on a stand with Kathryn Plummer which was exciting and awe inspiring (she was a fabulous viola player with a great sense of humor)!

I enjoyed being a member of the Youth Board.

I am now teaching orchestra in the Fayette County Public School system.

Date Time Submitted:

Thursday, May 01, 2008  11:28:08 AM

From:

Lucy Letton

Member Type:

Musician

Last Year:

1970

Instrument:

French Horn

Now Lives In:

Lexington, KY

Comments:

I have lots of favorite memories!  How can I choose?  I remember being a scared 9^th grader at Cathedral Domain my first year in Youth Orchestra; the trip to Washington, DC and “Are we there yet?”  and silly jokes about William Bennett, some critic....I remember Tim Baker’s bashful leadership and my friend Jo grimacing every time she made a mistake.  I remember Board meetings and auditions and a lot of laughter.  I think there was even some music and concerts in there somewhere.  I remember learning about pipes and white gloves from Mr. Ceo, and, of course, lots of friends that have transcended those years. 

These days I work for the state of Kentucky, as a regional supervisor for drug courts.  I don’t play a lot, but that won’t stop me from trying at the concert. 

Date Time Submitted:

Sunday, April 27, 2008 08:31:56 PM

From:

Laura Price

Member Type:

Musician

Last Year:

2003

Instrument:

Cello

Now Living In:

Murfreesboro, TN

Comments:

My favorite CKYO memory would have to be the weeks spent in Italy, I look back at those days as some of the best I have had thus far.  I am currently pursuing my Master’s of Arts in Music from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN.  I continue to study the cello and recently took a position as the orchestra director for the Preparatory String Orchestra in Murfreesboro, starting in the Fall of 2008.  It is the orchestra for string players before entering the larger, Murfreesboro Youth Orchestra. 

Date Time Submitted:

Fri 4/18/2008 9:12 AM

From:

Jim Shannon

Member Type:

Musician

Last Year:

1948

Instrument:

Cello

Now Living In:

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Comments:

Congratulation on the forth coming 60 anniversary.

I played cello in the first CKYO.  I do not remember the name of the music store on Main Street where we rehearsed on the second floor.  We later had lunch at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Thorton Scott of 2nd Street.

I have good memories of those days and the many friends then in central Kentucky. I since have lost contact with all.  We always had great times together.

Currently I am 76 years old and live most of the time in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  I continue in good health, travel, continue my hobbies, enjoy electronics, walk on beach each morning, daily exercise in pool and go to Gold Gym 3 days a week.  Although retired, I stay very busy.

Date Time Submitted:

Mon 3/31/2008 1:04 AM

From:

Jo Abbie-Wallace

Member Type:

Musician

Last Year:

1967-1970

Instrument:

Violin

Now living in:

Plano , Texas

Comments:

I am the orchestra director at Plano West Senior High school, and professional violinist in the Richardson (Texas) Symphony.   My HS string orchestra has been selected as the best orchestra in the state of Texas by the Texas Music Educators Association 4 consecutive times. We are currently the state Honor Orchestra.

My mother took me to a performance when I had just begun playing the violin, and I loved the entire experience.  A few years later I auditioned and was chosen- it became a huge part of my life and helped me develop the love I have for playing in the symphony. I went on to major in music at UK while Joseph Ceo was a professor there, and after graduate school at U of Illinois I moved to Texas to teach  orchestra and have done that ever since. Many of my students here are in the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra and I enthusiastically encourage that.