All-Class Reunion
September 13-15, 2002

'38

John Weinzweig (Mas), professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, writes that a three-CD set of music, the culmination of his career, was released by the Canadian Music Centre. The recordings feature performances by The Canadian Brass, the Orford String Quartet, the Louisville Orchestra, and a special documentary on the composer.

'49

Gordon Epperson (MM), professor emeritus of music at the University of Arizona, has published his latest book, The Guru of Malad. The book tells the story of the main character's return to his hometown to find it doesn't match his memories.

'54

John White (Mas), '60 (PhD) writes that he has had several recent publications of his music, including Palindromes for Native American Flute, Time and the Water for Horn and Piano, and Concerto for Flute and Wind Ensemble. His Guidelines for College Teaching of Music Theory (second edition), was published as well. Maria Laudata was premiered by the St. Martin's Chorale in Denver in December, and his Palindromes for Native American Flute received its premiere in September 2000 under the direction of James Pellerite. He was recently appointed professor emeritus of music by the University of Florida, and he now lives in Evergreen, Colo.

'56

James Basta was appointed music director at Unity Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C., in May. He was formerly the music director of Mizpah Moravian Church in Rural Hall and had served as first French horn in the U.S. Marine Band for 20 years. . . . A February concert by the Winston-Salem Symphony included Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra, composed by George Walker (DMA). Walker won a Pulitzer Prize in 1996, the first black composer to win the award for music.

'58

In February, Jane Varella, a percussionist with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, gave the premiere of Javarella, a concerto for marimba and orchestra written for her by Steven Winteregg.

'59

Ron Carter, Grammy Award- winning jazz bassist, spoke at the Eastman School's Commencement in May. He also received the Hutchison Medal, the highest honor the University gives its alumni.

'60

John White (PhD) (see '54).

'61

Ann Labounsky Steele has published Jean Langlais: The Man and His Music. Langlais (1907-91) was considered a foremost French musician whose body of work for organs is considered by some experts second only to Bach's compositions.

'62

Geoffrey Gibbs '63 (MM), '74 (DMA) retired from teaching at the University of Rhode Island last year to compose music full time. In April, he was the guest performer at a concert in his honor that featured songs drawn from his teaching career.

'64

Horace Boyer (MA), '73 (PhD), an authority on the history of African-American music, is a frequent performer and lecturer at events around the country.

'65

Laura Dexter Mann '72 (MM) is opera director and professor of voice at George Mason University in Virginia.

'68

Carol Lucas '71 (MM) writes that she is assistant conductor and chorusmaster for the Portland (Ore.) Opera and made her conducting debut in February, leading Cosi Fan Tutte. She was preparing the Verdi Requiem for the Oregon Symphony to be performed in April.

'69

Gene Tucker sends an update. He retired from the Army Chorus at the end of March, capping a 28-year military career. He has been accepted into the ordination process to be an Episcopal priest and was scheduled to begin full-time seminary study in August. In addition, he became a grandfather on December 22, 2001. He also notes that William Messerschmidt retired from the U.S. Army Band at the end of April.

'70

Bruce Hangen, music director of the Indian Hill Symphony in Littleton, Mass., and artistic and general director of the Portland (Maine) Opera Repertory Theater, was principal guest conductor of the Boston Pops in May. . . . Geary Larrick (MM) writes that in 2002 he composed two solo pieces, The Search II for multipercussion and Twelve Chorales for marimba.

'71

Carol Lucas (MM) (see '68).

'72

Laura Dexter Mann (MM) (see '65).

'73

Julianne Baird '76 (MM) notes that she performed in Handel's Messiah in Philadelphia and at the Kennedy Center. She has recorded more than 110 CDs, and recent recordings include the premiere of Handel's last opera, Deidamia, and a CD entitled Rossini in Venice. Her album, Passionate Pavanes and Galliards, won the Chamber Music America award in January. She was also appointed distinguished professor of music at Rutgers University. . . . Horace Boyer (PhD) (see '64).

'74

Geoffrey Gibbs (DMA) (see '62).

'76

Richard Austin sends an update. After 22 years as a school music teacher, he retired to pursue a new career as an actor and singer. He now works in the Chicago area in theater, in a theater operetta, and as a member of an a cappella quartet. . . . Julianne Baird (MM) (see '73). . . . Charles Tompkins '85 (DMA) gave an organ recital on January 27 in Greenville, S.C., in honor of Mozart's birthday.

'77

Clement Reid writes that two concerts featuring Eastman performers and composers were presented in the Washington, D.C., area last summer at Montgomery College in Rockville, Md., and St. John's College in Annapolis, Md. The programs featured primarily contemporary solo and chamber music. The musicians included
Deborah Brown '79 (MM), Steven Haase '99, Walter Kovshik, Wayne Smith '96, and Carol Wilke Heinick. They performed music by professor emeritus Samuel Adler, David Heinick '76, '77 (MM); Eric Ewazen '76; Clement; and David Snow '76.

'79

George Vosburgh is principal trumpet player for the Pittsburgh Symphony and has played trumpet with rock bands and in commercials.

'81

Jazz pianist William Cunliffe (MM) was the guest artist for a Sinclair (Ohio) Community College Jazz Ensemble concert in April.

'83

Renée Fleming (Mas) performed Amazing Grace and God Bless America at a New York memorial service for the victims of September 11.

'85

H. Joseph Butler (DMA), an associate professor of music and university organist at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, gave a performance on Stetson University's historic von Beckerath organ in January. . . . Leslee Mabee (MM) is director of visual and performing arts in the Brighton, N.Y., school district. . . . Lauriejean Reinhardt (MM) married Ofer Plotnik in May. She is the director of fundraising at Chamber Music America in Manhattan, and he is a manager at Kennedy International Airport. . . . Jazz composer Maria Schneider (MM) was scheduled to conduct Gil Evans's classic 1958 recasting of Porgy from Porgy and Bess in San Francisco in March.

'87

Katherine Pardee (DMA), a professor at Oxford University in England, performed an organ recital in March at Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas. . . . Adrienne Pavur '96 (DMA) writes that she recently performed on organ with the Nyack College Chorale at Alice Tully Hall in the Lincoln Center. Also featured on the program was pianist Tammy Lum '83, '85 (MM).

'89

Sophia Hyun-Park '95 (DMA), director of piano at Tarleton State University in Dallas, was featured in a recital in March. Guest cellist Kenneth Law joined her in the recital.

'92

Percussionist Ingrid Gordon founded the music ensemble Time's Arrow, which debuted in June with a minitour of Queens, N.Y. The group performed works for flute and percussion by both American and international composers, focusing on a contemporary chamber repertoire.

'95

Sophia Hyun-Park (DMA) (see '89).

'96

Adrienne Pavur (DMA) (see '87).

'98

Jonathan Arevalo Coo (MM) sends an update. In May, he performed Three's Company (The Keyboard Quarrel) at St. Scholastica's College School of Music in the Philippines.

'01

Brad Alexander won the top award in the 2002 Eleanor Lieber Competition at the Portland (Ore.) Opera. He also appeared in the Schwabacher Recital in San Francisco in April, performing Schumann's Dichterliebe.

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