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Home , Appalachian Spring, Appalachia Waltz, Fanfare, Jack Benny, Jonita Lattimore, Rhapsody in Blue

HighNotes is brought to you by the Evanston Symphony for the senior members of our community who must of necessity isolate more because of COVID-!9. The current pandemic has also affected all of us here at the ESO, and we understand full well the frustration of not being able to visit with family and friends or sing in soul-renewing choirs or do simple, familiar things like choosing this apple instead of that one at the grocery store. We of course miss making together, which is especially difficult because Musical Notes and Activities for Seniors this fall marks the ESO’s 75th anniversary – our Diamond Jubilee. While we had a fabulous season of programs planned, we haven’t from the Evanston Symphony Orchestra been able to perform in a live concert since February so have had to push the hold button on all live performances for the time being. th However, we’re making plans to celebrate our long, lively, award- Happy 75 Anniversary, ESO! 2 winning history in the spring. Until then, we’ll continue to bring you music and musical activities in these issues of HighNotes – or for Aaron An American Voice 4 as long as the City of Evanston asks us to do so! O’Connor Appalachian Waltz 6 HighNotes always has articles on a specific musical theme plus a variety of puzzles and some really bad jokes and puns. For this issue we’re focusing on “Americana,” which seems appropriate for Gershwin 7 November, when we come together as a country to exercise our constitutional right and duty to vote for candidates of our choice Bernstein West Side Story 8 and then to gather with our family and friends for Thanksgiving and completely spoil a magnificent meal by arguing about politics… ☺ Tate Music of Native Americans 9 But no politics here, thank you! “Bygones” features things that were big in our childhoods, but have now all but disappeared. This month we’re highlighting food – stuff we ate as a child and now Dvořák “New World” Symphony 10 wonder why! Good discussion starters - and there’s a lot more! Bygones, Puzzles,

Jokes & Other Amusements 11 Vol. 1, No. 5 HighNotes November 2020 Editor ...... Kelly Brest van Kempen Technical Advisor...... David Ellis Puzzle & Maze Checkers …………………………..Connor, Addison, Ryan, Calli, Ciara & Gus HighNotes© - Copyright 2020 - ESOA (except for original authors’ copyrights) November 2020

ESOA makes no claim to copyrights held by others and uses such materials for educational purposes only under the “fair use” exception to copyright law. xxX X

1945. World War II was winding down in both Europe and the debut with the Symphony Orchestra in 1954 with Fritz Pacific. Rationing was still in effect until after VJ Day in August, Reiner conducting, which is no doubt when she and Frank Miller when prices started to rise. You could buy a cup of coffee for 20¢, became acquainted. The date of her performance with the ESO, but students on a frayed shoe-string budget knew that you always however, was November 22, 1963, and the assassination of bought two 5¢ White Castle burgers instead of one 10¢ double- President John F. Kennedy caused City Hall to cancel the concert, meat burger because you got twice as much bread! even though the musicians and Schwartzkopf wanted the performance to go on in Kennedy’s honor. In the arts, Animal Farm, Black Boy and Pippi Longstocking, appeared in bookstores. John Declining health caused Frank Miller to retire Wayne and Anthony Quinn battled in 1984. His successor, Dr. Lynn Schornick, the enemy in Back to Bataan, and led the ESO for the next 17 years, stepping Gene Kelly danced with Jerry the down in 2002 to concentrate his efforts on Mouse in Anchors Aweigh. Doris the burgeoning arts scene in his then home- Day sang Sentimental Journey at town of Waukegan as the Conductor of the the top of the charts, and Aaron Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and the Copland won the Pulitzer Prize for Director of the Jack Benny Center for the his work Appalachian Spring. Arts, as well as being greatly involved with local and the renovation of the Genesee Theatre. On the home front, an influx of veterans on the G.I. Bill meant there were no longer places for local musicians in Northwestern’s Lawrence Eckerling, Schornick’s replace- . Into this void stepped a group of enthusiastic, talented ment, was Music Director of the St. Cloud musicians to form what has developed into the Evanston Symphony Symphony in Minnesota for 16 years, is on Orchestra, which gave its premiere concert on November 4, 1945. the faculty of the Music Institute of Chicago, Over the next 17 years, the ESO had a and since 1984 has been leader and pianist succession of conductors, including Hans of Larry Eckerling and his Orchestra. In a Heniot, conductor of the Utah Symphony and particularly poignant moment of ESO history Sidney Harth, Concertmaster of the Chicago at a concert in March of 2012, Shirley Miller, Symphony Orchestra. In 1962, the baton widow of Frank Miller, presented Maestro Eckerling with Frank’s passed to the legendary Frank Miller (left), favorite baton, one that had been given to him by , principal cellist of the CSO, who led the the renowned conductor of the , Evanston Symphony for the next 22 years. From the moment Maestro Eckerling had the audience howling One of the most memorable concerts in ESO with laughter at his ESO audition concert, to his ability to schedule history was one that didn’t happen. Under top soloists, to his own incredible performance as both conductor Miller’s leadership, the ESO had grown in size, quality, and repute- and soloist in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, he has proven himself tion, and was scheduled to perform a concert for the first evening to be the perfect leader of a truly community orchestra. The ESO of Evanston’s Centennial Music Festival, with renowned German has been playing to packed houses in Pick-Staiger Concert Hall soprano Elisabeth Schwartzkopf as soloist. Schwartzkopf was at and will resume our tenure there when this pandemic is well and the height of her career in the U.S., having made her American truly behind us- and for many years to come!. Stay tuned! 2X 3X is also a cowboy-themed work, but with a very different (1900-1990) is one of the story: awkward cowgirl finds love. It was written in 1942 at the credited with developing a request of Agnes DeMille, a famed choreographer who herself felt distinctly “American” style of music. He was awkward except when she was dancing. The work also incor- born into a Russian immigrant family in porates cowboy and folk songs, especially “Bonaparte’s Retreat,” Brooklyn, , in 1900. His older which has become known by the name of the movement Copland sister, Laurine, taught him to play the used it in: “Hoe Down. and he started to make up his own songs Appalachian Spring is another ballet, this one composed in 1944 right away. He then asked for lessons from for choreographer and dancer . The L.A. a “real” teacher and by the age of 15 he Times described it as a ballet that “…tells a simple story. had decided to become a . A young farm couple ruminate on their lives before getting married and setting up house in the wilderness. In 1921, Copland went to Paris for three years, where he was the An itinerant preacher delivers a sermon. An older first American to study with Nadia Boulanger, one of the best th pioneer woman oversees the events with sympathy and composition teachers of the 20 century. When Copland came wisdom. The newlyweds…will face a future that will not be all home, he began the process that every composer must eventually sweetness and light, but … [they have] private and shared emotional tackle - that of finding his own distinctive musical “voice.” Copland resources they will be able to bring to the challenges.” You’ll began experimenting with sounds and mixing jazzy rhythms in with recognize the Shaker melody “,” presented here as both . Some people found his music complicated and triumph and hope. Appalachian Spring is a lovely piece of music. hard to understand, but the end result was a “voice” that is distinctly American and instantly recognizable as Aaron Copland’s. At the height of World War II, Copland was commissioned to write a musical portrait of Copland went on to compose many pieces based on American an "eminent American" for the New York folk songs. These works provided the people of this country with Philharmonic. He chose President Abraham a feeling of comfort, pride and, most important, hope during the Lincoln and used material from the of the 1930’s. His works still speak to many President’s speeches and letters as well as Americans, especially today. folk songs of the era, including "Camptown Copland’s most famous works for orchestra Races" and "On Springfield Mountain". include , a “cowboy ballet” that Copland finished in April 1942. The text of the premiered in Chicago on October 16, 1938. narration contains some descriptive comments ("Abe Lincoln Although built around the character of the was a quiet and a melancholy man") and excerpts from six of notorious 1870s outlaw Henry McCarty, whose Lincoln’s writings, including this from his Annual Message to alias of William H. Bonney led to his nickname Congress (State of the Union) on December 1, 1862: “Billy the Kid,” the ballet is more about the Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this congress symbolism of the westward expansion in the and this administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. U.S. In addition to Copland’s sweeping song "The Open No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or Prairie", the work is famous for its incorporation of several another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us American cowboy and folk tunes, including “Git Along, Little down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation. We, even Dogies," "The Old Chisholm Trail" and "Goodbye Old Paint." we here, hold the power and bear the responsibility 4X X5

In 1925, a southern writer named DuBose Heyward wrote a Mark O’Connor comes from a musical novel called Porgy about life in a poor African-American com- family in Seattle. The guitar was his first munity in coastal South Carolina. read the instrument, then the /fiddle at age book in 1926 and expressed interest in turning it into an opera. 11. Just a year later, at age 12, he won He and Heyward had some promising talks, but never reached the Junior National Fiddling Champion- an agreement, and two years later Heyward and his wife, Dorothy, ship. From then on, it was one national turned it into a stage play. It wasn’t until 1933 or so that George championship after another, including began writing the music; and DuBose Heyward on and flat-picking guitar! collaborated on the lyrics, with most of the better lyrics being Then came recording contracts, and Heyward’s, although Ira is usually given credit for them. three Grammys – a career that skyrock- eted and is still sending off glorious bursts of American music. Porgy and Bess opened on in 1935. It has some From our of many cultures comes a distinctly American comic elements, but it is by flavor, one that we find in Mark O’connor’s music. Mark has three and large a tragedy with birth personal pillars of musical influence and training: western classical and death, love and betrayal, music; American folk music; and , all things he continues to be crime and punishment - all the interested in and all are present in his music. He says that his stuff of great opera. In fact, it music is a blend of violin and fiddle that together create a third has been called the greatest of thing: something new, which we can certainly hear in his works. American . The music (Note: the main difference between a violin and a fiddle is the type was so well received that of music played on each – classical on violin and folk on fiddle – George turned the main pieces and a slightly different bridge to accommodate each style.) from the opera into a suite for orchestra, which the ESO has O’Connor has recorded some of his own works with top artists performed several times, occasionally with singers. including cellist Yo-Yo Ma and bassist and, in Among the most well-known songs are: “Summertime,” an achingly 1996 composed The Olympic Reel for the closing ceremonies of beautiful lullaby; “I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’,” Porgy’s take on his life; “It the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. It premiered in front of Ain’t Necessarily So,” where the low-life Sportin’ Life gives his 100,000 people in the Olympic Stadium and another 3.5 billion sarcastic opinion of religion – “The things that you’re liable to read people in the worldwide television viewing audience. in the Bible – it ain’t necessarily so!” One of the best performances In the fall of 2009, Mark O’Connor was inducted into the National we’ve seen in this role was by the fabulous Chicago-based tenor, Fiddler Hall of Fame, one of only four in the third class of Curtis Bannister, who was so convincing in the role that he got honorees. Just a few months before that event, O’Connor had both thunderous applause and heartfelt “boos” at the curtain call! appeared as violin/fiddle soloist with the ESO and performed three The suite ends with the hopeful “Oh Lawd, I’m On My Way!” And, of his own works: Fiddle (”fiddle” from the folk tradition, we vividly remember an ESO performance of the Porgy and Bess “concerto” from the classical); Waltz, a picture of life in Suite some years ago with Chicago soprano Jonita Lattimore and the southern Appalachian mountains; and Fanfare for the tenor Kenneth Gayle. Their rendition of “Oh Lawd, I’m On My Volunteer. (We’ll provide links on the information sheet.) XXXXXX Way!” was so powerful that many in the audience were in tears. 6X 7X

William Shakespeare wrote his play Romeo and Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate, born July 25, Juliet in 1695 and now, 425 years later, it’s still 1968 in Norman, Oklahoma, is a classical one of the most popular plays ever written. Romeo composer and pianist and a member of the and Juliet were two teens who lived in Verona, Chickasaw Nation. His works are inspired by Italy. Their families were feuding over something, Native American history and culture, and he but Shakespeare never really tells us what the makes use of traditional instruments. His feud was about. Perhaps it was so far in the past that Chickasaw middle name, Impichchaachaaha’, everyone had forgotten why they were fighting and Shakespeare means “high corncrib.” It’s his inherited tradi- wanted to show how ridiculous and, eventually, how dangerous tional Chickasaw "house name," used much such feuds can be. We don’t know. The teens met by chance and like a family or last name. fell in love, to the great dismay of everyone connected with their Tate’s father, Charles Tate, Chickasaw, is a classically trained families, and the feud between the families led to tragedy for the professional pianist and baritone. His mother, Dr. Patricia Tate, is young lovers. The story, unfortunately, is universal and timeless. of Manx Irish descent and was both a professor of dance and a In the , composer-conductor (1918-1990) choreographer. They recognized and nurtured Jerod's musical and three other famous theatre people wrote a musical based on talent and were influential in encouraging his work in music. By the Romeo and Juliet story, but did not set it in an Italian city in the accompanying his father to tribal events, Jerod heard much of the past. Rather, they made it a modern story set in a city they loved – American Indian music among the peoples of Oklahoma. New York. West Side Story opened on Broadway in 1957 and is Tate received his BM in Piano Performance from Northwestern one of the most successful shows ever produced. and his MM in Piano Performance and Composition from the Like Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is the Cleveland Institute of Music. Shortly before he began his master’s tale of a feud between two families, but in this case with a twist: studies at Cleveland, his mother commissioned his first work, a the “families” are the Sharks, a Puerto Rican gang, and the Jets, a ballet score. He wrote Winter Moons, exploring traditions of the Polish gang, reflecting gang rivalries of the time in the blue-collar tribes from the Northern Plains and Rockies. It premiered at the neighborhood of ’s Upper West Side. Tony, an ex-Jet, in 1992. falls in love with Maria, sister of the Sharks’ leader. It does not Tate found composition to be a way to combine American Indian end well. The two gangs finally stop their feud but by then it is tradition and classical training: "I didn't mix my identities of being a too late and their stupidity has cost a life. classically trained musician and being an American Indian. I never Bernstein’s music has survived well over the saw that there was even a possible relationship between those two past 60 years, and West Side Story’s songs still until I started composing. And that's when they came together in a resonate: the hope in "Something's Coming", way that made me feel just wonderful." He also worked with his the love of the two teens in "Maria," "Tonight" father and others to study Chickasaw music more deeply. and "Somewhere," the joy (and sarcasm) in Tate has said that he works with "sound icons," comparing his Puerto Rican culture in "America" – and what use of traditional and drums, to the way that visual artists girl hasn’t sung “I Feel Pretty” to herself? The ESO has played explore iconic images such as feathers and horses associated selections from this wonder musical over the years. You can find with American Indians. His music is hauntingly beautiful. links on the information sheet. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 8X 9X

Antonin Dvořák (pronounced D’vor- African-American music, and spent his summers in Spillville, Iowa, zhak) (1841-1904) was born into a a community founded by Czech immigrants, where he was intro- family in Bohemia, then part of Austria duced to Native American music. It was during his time there that but now part of the Czech Republic. he finished his Symphony No. 9 in E minor, “From the New World.” His parents were innkeepers, and Dvořák had the wonderful ability to absorb the musical expres- folk music was part of his everyday sions of the cultures in which he lived and to compose original life. Dvořák showed early natural music that mirrored those styles. In this symphony he used both music ability and took lessons on the Native-American and African-American themes to , violin, organ and piano. At 16 give his symphony a uniquely American flavor. he entered the Prague Organ School, where did very well in his studies in The first movement of the “New World” Sym- theory, composition, and performing. phony reminds us of a storm, then clear skies and perhaps a dance or people working in the After graduation Dvořák played viola with a dance orchestra, fields. The second movement has a beautiful then became part of the Provisional Theatre Orchestra. Dvořák melody on the English horn that was later was principal cellist with this group for 9 years turned into a hymn called “Goin’ Home” by Dvořák’s student and played under famous conductors such as William Ames Fisher, who adapted the music and wrote the Bedrich Smetana and . Finally lyrics. The notes of this famous main theme are beow. he decided to leave the orchestra and devote himself to composing full time. He was not The third movement has a waltz and some lovely parts for the immediately successful as a composer but he flutes. The fourth movement contrasts strong marches with more was aided three times by a stipend from the quiet themes, then plays variations on the themes from the other state. Dvořák was also befriended by Johannes movements, reminding us of what wonderful music we’ve heard. Brahms, who was so taken with the young man Dvořák spent only four years in the U.S., returning to Bohemia that he recommended Dvořák to his own in 1895. However, his “New World” Symphony has such an publisher. Dvořák and Brahms became good “American” feel to it that many people don’t realize that the friends, and Dvořák quickly gained the composer was European. Antonin Dvořák – Honorary American! support of other important people in Brahms’ musical circle. He finally began to be recognized as a fine composer and conductor. In 1891, he was invited to to become director of the National Conservatory of Music, which was founded in 1885 to encourage an American style of music. He was able to teach, conduct and compose in New York, where he first encountered 10X 11X But wait! There’s more! - Sandwich loaf and Waldorf salad!

More “Bygones,” things we enjoyed as kids that are completely Sandwich loaf was a very popular offering at bridge clubs and gone now or hard to find. In this issue of HighNotes, we’re ladies’ luncheons. Here’s how to make it: take an unsliced loaf of featuring food – things that many of us ate as kids and now either white bread (or whole wheat) and cut it lengthwise in into four can’t imagine eating again or wish we had the recipe! How many equal flat slabs. Spread tuna salad on the bottom slab and top with of these were part of your life growing up? What foods do you a second piece of bread. Spread egg miss – or would never eat again on a dare? ! salad on that slab and top with a third piece of the bread. The final layer is traditionally ham salad, but could also be chicken salad or anything else you’d like. Top with the last slab of bread. You now Oh no! It’s the have a huge triple-decker Dagwood maid’s night sandwich. BUT – to make it a true out! Whatever “sandwich loaf,” you must do the final shall we do step: slather the whole thing with cream cheese and decorate the top with sprigs of dill or pimientos or whatever garnishes you’d about dinner? like. Then chill, cut in scant one-inch slices and serve – on a We’ll starve! plate and with a fork, please! This is definitely not finger food!

Waldorf salad! That wonderful concoction invented in 1893 at the Waldorf Hotel in New York City by Chef Oscar Tschirky, a Swiss immigrant who became known simply as "Oscar of the Waldorf." The original Waldorf Hotel is long gone and we haven’t seen Chef Oscar’s creation on a restaurant menu in years, but it’s definitely a Jell-O is still very favorite childhood memory that’s popular, but we easy to make. For one serving: doubt anyone today core, peel (or not) and chop one would really want to medium apple; chop one stalk of celery; mix with 1/4 cup mayon- eat a Jell-O salad naise (or to taste) and serve on with these particular lettuce. That’s it. The recipe has ingredients: Lime evolved since 1893 to include Jell-O with olives walnuts (although we prefer pecans) and some like to add blue and American cheese or raisins. But the original is an exercise in simplicity: cheese. (We added four ingredients that have lived on for well over a century! the ingredients to NEWS FLASH! Coca-Cola has announced that, after 57 the ad…) EEWWWW! years on the market, its first ever diet drink, Tab, (“Tasty Aerated Beverage”) will be gone by the end of 2020. Noooo! 12X 13X

More of these delightful grammar funnies from Jill Thomas Doyle. Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice If you get the jokes, thank your English teachers! Day, was set as a U.S. legal holiday to honor the end of World War I, • A gerund and an infinitive walk into a bar, drinking to forget. which officially took place on “the 11th • A comma splice walks into a bar, it has a drink and leaves. hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month” -- November 11, 1918. In legislation passed in • A misplaced modifier walks into a bar owned 1938, November 11 was "dedicated to the by a man with a glass eye named Ralph. cause of world peace and to be here-after • Two quotation marks walk into a “bar.” celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day.'” As such, this new legal holiday honored • A question mark walks into a bar? World War I veterans, for was it not “the war to end all wars”?. • An comma walks into a bar, Alas, World War I was not, as had been hoped and proclaimed, where it spends the evening watching “the war to end all wars.” Not at all. In 1954, after having been TV, getting drunk, and smoking cigars. through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. • A figure of speech literally walks into a bar and Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- ends up getting figuratively hammered. amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation • An oxymoron walked into a bar; on June 1, 1954, November 11 was the silence was deafening. declared a national holiday to honor • A synonym strolls into a tavern. American veterans of all wars. In addition to Veterans Day, there are two other days designated each year for honoring the members of our military: Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day, And speaking of language-mangling and both in May. Armed Forces Day, taverns, did you ever hear Duffy’s Tavern on honors those currently serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day, the radio? It was a classic that ran for which we observe the last weekend of May, is to honor the a decade, ending on December 28, 1951. memory of those women and men in uniform who gave their lives The program often featured celebrity guest in service to this country. By comparison, Veterans Day is a time stars but always hooked them around the for us to pay our respects to those men and women who have misadventures, get-rich-quick schemes and served in our armed forces. It is a day to stop and thank them for romantic missteps of the title establishment's malapropism-prone, that service, to honor our living veterans who well deserve their metaphor-mixing manager, Archie, portrayed by Ed Gardner, the retirement. Veterans Day is a time to thank and to celebrate; writer/actor who co-created the series. We’ll provide links on the Memorial Day is a time to remember and to mourn. information sheet so you can laugh all over again – or for the very first time! 14X 15X

Some important people, and items are hidden in this puzzle! 1. Aaron ______composed a stirring can you find them? Remember: Words can go up, down, narrative about “Honest Abe” called across, OR diagonally, AND backwards or forwards - 8 directions in all! And, can you find “OZ” at least 36 times? “______.______”. 2. Mark ___ ’ ______‘s beautiful A Z E O D J Z P O S B L “______Waltz” P P O D E V O Z N Z I Z evokes life in the mountains of the southeastern U.S. O Z P L I R O A O N R O 3. “______Story” is Leonard R Z L A T S R R C Z C B ______’s re-telling of G O Z R L E T O A O N E Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Y Z A Z T A L S Z K R R 4. Gershwin’s “______and Bess” has been O I O E O N C O E O O N hailed as the great American opera. T Z V S P A M H Z W C S 5. Antonin ______used Native C O P L A N D O I O Z T American and African American themes in his very “American” symphony, “From the D L R O W W E N Z A O E ______” Z O Z R O N N O C O Z I 6. Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate’s “house name” in Chickasaw O Z O W A L D O R F Z N means “high ______.”

7. ______Day is when we thank and honor our living retired service members. 8. Oscar of the ______. 9. ______- for when it’s the maid’s night out…Ha! 10. Would you eat a lime ______- ___ salad that had stuffed olives and American cheese in it…?

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When the Evanston Symphony celebrated its 50th Can you find at least 18 four-letter words and Anniversary in 1994 with a huge gala, the theme 7 five-letter words using the center letter in each? was the end of WWII. music was provided by the Grand Avenue Big Band and a group of young women who sang in the style of the Andrews Sisters. When guests arrived at the Orrington Hotel in downtown Evanston, they found the grand stairway down to the ballroom festooned with balloons – and each bunch anchored to the steps with a can of Spam! Lots of fun!

Adapted from Sam Ezersky, New York Times CLUES: Copland, Lincoln Portrait, O’Connor, Appalachia, West Side, Bernstein, Porgy, Dvorak, New World, Corncrib, Veterans, Waldorf, Spam, Jell-O,

18 Words @ 4 letters each: Afar, Afro, , Calf, Ciao, Coal, Coca, Cola, Fail, Fair, Foal, Lair, Liar, Lira, Loaf, Oral, Orca, Rail,

7 Words @ 5 letters each: Carol, Coral, Flair, Flora, Focal, Frail, Local

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