November 10-12, 1977 - We enjoyed a three-day visit with eminent Polish composer, Krzysztov Penderecki, and presented nine of his works in concert, including his celebrated "Threnody - To the Victims of Hiroshima" chamber music, and large ensemble pieces.
November 10, 1979 - Composer Carlos Surinach visited, and the Academy orchestra performed the harp concerto that he wrote for Maria Royce and the Grand Rapids Symphony Society. Maria's parents had commissioned the work to honor Maria upon her graduation from the Academy in 1977.
November 18, 1962 - The Liberal Arts Building was dedicated on this Sunday morning in the presence of benefactor, Stanley S. Kresge and architect Alden B. Dow, whose circular floor plan presented a new "look" to classroom design. Mr. Dow spoke first, describing his concept for our growing educational campus, then Mr. Kresge made the presentation and Dr. Maddy accepted the building, echoing a ceremony he had enacted many times before. Even though the original campus plans were changed over time, it is reassuring to know that although our school was only two months old, dreams and plans for the future were very much alive in the minds and hearts of the giants in whose footsteps we tread.
Thankgiving at the Academy - In the first decades of the Academy, the school year began in September and ended in June with only two breaks: the school was closed for most of December and for three weeks in March and April. Thanksgiving was celebrated on campus - with the traditional turkey meal served at the mid-day dress dinner. But by late afternoon rehearsals were underway for the dance concert and music performances that would occur just before the winter recess. Think of it as a precursor to the "flexible" Thursdays we now enjoy every week!
Wendell Turner would give a carving class a few days before the holiday for the students and teachers who would be responsible for carving the turkey at each table. From his days of running a fine restaurant in Sarasota, Wendell knew the importance of elegant presentation, but he always reminded us that the anxious diners would judge our work not by the finesse in our carving but by the speed at which we delivered the meat to their plates!
As Thanksgiving became the principal holiday for most American families, our "half-holidays" evolved into a Thursday-Monday recess and eventually, as teachers grew weary of haggling over Tuesday night departures, returns on the following Tuesday noon and everything between, we "threw in the towel" and just made the holiday a full week.
Thanksgiving 1967 was a most interesting time: two journalists from LIFE magazine spent all week here preparing an article about the Academy that would reach millions of American homes. Watch this space because I'll have more to say about this article on the anniversary of the month it hit the stands!
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