Rogers Whitmore Recital Hall Dedication Concert
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ROGERS WHITMORE RECITAL HALL DEDICATION CONCERT Wednesday, February 20, 1991 8:00 p.m. Department of Music School of Fine Arts University of Missouri-Columbia Dedication and Portrait Unveiling Chancellor Haskell Monroe Mrs. Rogers (Catherine) Whitmore Mr. John Rogers Whitmore Mrs. Stanley (Carolyn Whitmore) Bueg Dean Larry D. Clark, Master of Ceremonies Concert Program I. Quartet in G Minor, K. 478 W. A. Mozart (1756-1791) Allegro Andante Rondo: Allegro Members of the Esterhazy Quartet John McLeod, violin Kate Hamilton, viola Carleton Spotts, violoncello with Janice Wenger, piano II. Sextuor Francis Poulenc (1899-1963) I. Allegro vivace 11. Divertissement Ill. Finale Missouri Arts Quintet Steven Geibel, flute Paul Garritson, clarinet Dan Willett, oboe Laurence Lowe, horn Barbara Wood, bassoon with Janice Wenger, piano Ill. Chacun le sait Gaetano Donizetti (from La Fi/le du Regimen~ (1797-1848) Mi chiamano Mimi Giacomo Puccini (from La Boheme) (1858-1924) Cantata (based on Spirituals) John Carter (b.1937) Prelude Rondo Recitative Air Toccata Costanza Cuccaro, soprano Edwin Penhorwood, piano THE WHITMORE LEGACY The Whitmore family legacy at the University of Missouri-Columbia can be traced back to Professor Bolivar Stark Head, a graduate of the University in 1849, a Mathematics professor, and Librarian from 1853-1860. He compiled the first printed catalog of the library, classifying over 2500 books into thirteen different subject areas. At least seven other members of the Whitmore family are known to have attended the University. Mrs. Catherine (Gray) Whitmore received her BSEd in Education 1928. Her sister, Ms. Carolyn Susan Gray earned three degrees, i ncluding an AB in Geology in 1925; a BSEd in Education in 1926; and a Master's Degree in Chemistry in 1938. A cousin, John Head, received a business degree in 1935 and has taught at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. John Head, Jr. , was a magna cum laude graduate from the College of Arts & Science in 1975. Rogers and Catherine Whitmore's children, John Rogers Whitmore and Carolyn (Whitmore) Bueg, attended the University's Lab Schools. John went on to earn an AB in Political Science in 1954, and a Law degree in 1958. Carolyn was also a student at the University, and went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota. Carolyn's husband, Stanley Bueg, received an AB in Mathematics in 1953 before going on to study Applied Physics at MIT. Professor Rogers Whitmore The Whitmore family's historic legacy at MU continues with the man whose memory we honor tonight, Professor Rogers Whitmore. Rogers Whitmore served as Professor of Violin from 1925-1971 , and as Chairman of the Department of Music from 1936-1966. He was born August 23, 1902 in Ilion, New York, the son of Harrison Arthur and Ada (Frank) Whitmore . Most of the men in his family worked in the Remington typewriter business. His mother was a musician herself, and started Rogers' study of music with a graduate of the New England Conservatory when he was seven years old. At twenty he had graduated from two American Conservatories, Utica and Ithaca. On the recommendation of Walter Damrosch, conductor of the New York Symphony, and Mengelberg, conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, he was awarded a scholarship for study in France. Mr. Whitmore became successively a pupil of three of the greatest masters of mode~n times. He studied three years with Ottahar Sevcik of Prague. In 1922, he accomplished the rare feat of studying with two masters at the same time : Cesar Thomson of the Brussels Conservatoire, and Leopold Auer at Julliard. Mr. Whitmore then worked a short time as a concert violinist on the East Coast, but the relentless travel and unpredictable income left him open to the idea of moving west in 1925 when he was invited to become a violin instructor at the University of Missouri. He said that he, " ...loved the idea of associating with younger people." In 1928 he married Catherine Gray, becoming part of that family's long-standing tradition, while creating his own place in the history of MU . In 1936, Whitmore became Chairman of the Music Department, a position he held for thirty years. The record of accomplishments under his administration is impressive. The department became a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music, and was one of the first to be accredited for graduate work. The expansion of courses during his tenure included areas of concentration for music education and music performance. Classes in music appreciation were also offered for non-majors. Whitmore was active in carrying music to the people of the state by sending out programs, and by having MU sponsor the statewide inter-scholastic meet. During World War II he also served as Assistant Director of Instruction for Armed Forces, College of Arts & Science. This was a vast program serving about 3,000 military students. He was Chairman in 1961 when the present Fine Arts Building was designed and built. In addition to his administrative and instructional duties, Whitmore was Director, and played first violin with the University String Quartet, a traveling performance group. He also gave individual recitals, accompanied by Elisabeth Taggart, a graduate assistant in the Music Department. He always played to rave reviews, encompassing a "Brilliant and fluent technique .... " The Telegram of Herkimer, New York labeled Rogers Whitmore, "A master of the violin." The University of Missouri has held a great influence on generations of the Whitmore family, just as the Whitmores and their ancestors have become a part of the history of MU . The Whitmore legacy continues with the naming of John R. Whitmore, son of Rogers and Catherine, as the 1991 College of Arts & Science Scholar in Residence, and recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award. He was awarded the University Distinguished Alumni Award in 1977. Rogers Whitmore once said, "Since I came to the University as a young man, it has meant almost as much to me as my own family." Certainly, the Whitmore legacy has made them an integral part of the MU family as well. Quotes "My first teacher, and my most important one. I put high value on my many years of study with him." ... John Ferrell, Professor of Violin; University of Arizona; University of Iowa "I came to Missouri as a young cellist with Conservatory training and New York City performance experience. Rogers Whitmore was my mentor as well as my first violinist and department chair. His artistry, sympathy, and advice were major factors in making my adjustment a happy and successful one." ... Carleton Spotts, Professor of Cello, Interim Chairman, Music; Interim Director, Fine Arts ; University of Missouri-Columbia "An enthusiastic audience heard Rogers Whitmore last night in violin recital. .. The finish and artistry of Rogers Whitmore so outstripped the average that one is tempted to indulge in superlatives ... double-stops, and octaves, springing bow, harmonics, arpeggios-the whole stock in trade of the violins! trickled and flowed from bow and fingers with the most carefree and unpretentious abandon." ... John Mueller in the Columbia Missourian "Mr. Whitmore's music held the huge audience breathless as he played." .. Herald-Dispatch; Utica, NY .