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Jewish World Review Nov 4, 2011 / 7 Mar-Cheshvan, 5772 The Sound of Music By Paul Greenberg
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | I was just a bystander and had nothing to do with it. That much should be made clear from the first. It was a most improbable occurrence. But I can testify it took place. I was there. And was as awestruck as everybody else. It wouldn't have been at all unusual in It happened on the night of Just as improbable, a quarter of a century later, the music goes on in On another splendid October night, supporters of the orchestra gathered for a gala dinner to celebrate the orchestra's silver anniversary season. What a night. It was a combination of hometown reunion, celebration of the past, and the beginning of the orchestra's next quarter of a century. It was good to get back home and see so many familiar faces. Well, most of them. There was much talk of absent friends, for time takes its toll. Yet nothing good is ever lost. The light from distant stars continues to shine long after they themselves are gone. I had been present at the creation of the orchestra, but only by happenstance. I was the husband of one of the founders. And husbands are just bystanders when a group of Southern women determines to do the improbable. And, being Southern women, proceed to do it. One day a few of them decided that what Until I read a brief history of the orchestra the other day, I had only the sketchiest idea of how it all came about. All I knew was that one day back in the 1980s, I wandered into the back bedroom and found it full of fund-raising letters for, of all things, a symphony orchestra in What an improbable idea. But these ladies made it a reality. Which was just like 'em. What they decided on, they did. It started with They knew their woman. You'd have to have known Carolyn yourself to understand why she was the perfect choice. She had this mellifluous voice deep out of the heart of Culturally, I'd say she was a cross between It was all in a day's work for a When we left Most impressive of all, Carolyn thought everybody was just as nice as she was. And when it was she who approached them, they were. Regardless of race, creed, color, national origin or personal temperament. When it came to raising funds for this unlikely endeavor, Carolyn in turn made a perfect choice of her own. She recruited the ever gracious The rest was history -- and music. The orchestra's 25th year was the perfect opportunity for this little Southern river town to celebrate itself. And it did. All it had to do was wake up and listen to the music.
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JWR contributor Paul Greenberg, editorial page editor of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, has won the Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing. Send your comments by clicking here.
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