Kenneth
Posted at 07-23-1999 5:04 PM
What I remember MOST about Ken:
A few seasons ago the Orchestra was preparing a VERY long and difficult
work, Stowkowski's arrangement of Bach's "Passacaglia and Fugue in c
minor". With only a few rehearsals to go, it was becoming clear that
the piece was too difficult for the orchestra and the potential for a
musical disater was quite real. At the end of one of the final
rehearsals I broached the subject of making a huge cut in the piece with
the students and sent them home to practice.
Ken immediately came up to me and implored me with the deepest passion
and conviction not to cut the piece, but instead to challenge the
students to learn it, and not to give up on them. He cited such things
as musical integrity, composer's intent and so on, but mostly he was
distressed that I was losing faith in the orchestra's abilities.
"We can do it, Mr. Hollin!"
And we did.
I am glad he did that.
Sincerely,
William J. Hollin
Music Director
Potomac Valley Youth Orchestra
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