NOTES

The National Orchestral Association

 

VOL. 5 August 2000

Message From The Chairman

As we enter a new millennium, the National Orchestral Association is poised for a significant expansion of its activities to include not only the support of classical musicians and composers, but greater involvement in community outreach and education programs.

The past decade has been an exciting one for the Association, during which the NOA sponsored a variety of projects, including the New Music Orchestral Project that helped American composers present world premieres at Carnegie Hall under the baton of Maestro Jorge Mestres. In 1997, the NOA presented the New York debut recitals of six young pianists, and in 1998 sponsored performances and education outreach by a new string orchestra called the NOA Soloists. In 1999 the NOA helped in the creation of a new American string orchestra, SONYC, and has expanded its performance and outreach projects throughout the country. Over the coming years, the Association will be supporting a variety of new projects aimed at broadening and deepening its mission..

Since its inception in 1930, the NOA has been a unique organization that has enjoyed the support of thousands of individual, corporate and foundation donors. As our many supporters around the country know, the NOA depends entirely upon private contributions to sustain its work in support of aspiring American musicians and composers. As we enter the new millenium, we would like to thank all of our contributors for their loyalty over the years, and for their enthusiastic support of our many initiatives.Since its inception in 1930, the NOA has been a unique organization that has enjoyed the support of thousands of individual, corporate and foundation donors. As our many supporters around the country know, the NOA depends entirely upon private contributions to sustain its work in support of aspiring American musicians and composers. As we enter the new millenium, we would like to thank all of our contributors for their loyalty over the years, and for their enthusiastic support of our many initiatives.

NOA Continues Support for Lark Quartet

The National Orchestral Association is pleased to be a continuing sponsor of the extraordinary work of The Lark Quartet. This classical string quartet is comprised of four remarkable young female musicians who are quickly gaining an international reputation. The Quartet has played at some of the nation's most prestigious halls, and the NOA was proud to have been instrumental in introducing the Lark Quartet to various communities in Utah. In December, the Quartet was the first musical group outside of Utah to be invited to perform at Robert Redford's Christmas Concert held at his private concert hall at Sundance. In addition to the Christmas concert, The Lark Quartet visited Sundance and Park City last fall for a series of concerts, master classes and outreach in the communities' local schools. The Lark is the only group to have appeared every season at the request of the Park City Performing Arts Foundation. In addition to the outreach program, The Lark conducted master classes at Utah Valley State College for students from the college and another nearby university, following a concert the previous night for the Directors, Trustees and Department Heads of the college. The Lark returned this spring to give special performances and lectures at the Orem Public Schools, and concerts at Sundance and Utah Valley State College.

Alice Tully Hall Concert Benefiting Lake Luzerne Music Camp

The National Orchestral Association will be one of the principal sponsors of a special benefit concert for the Lake Luzerne Music Camp to be held in New York on September 20th at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. The concert will celebrate the Camp's 20th Anniversary, and will be performed by musicians who are alumni of the Camp. The Lake Luzerne Music Camp has been an outstanding resource for young people, and enjoys a reputation as one of the country's leading music camps. The NOA would like to congratulate all those associated with the Camp for enriching the lives of so many young musicians over the years.

In honor of the NOA's founding conductor, the late Maestro Leon Barzin, the National Orchestral Association is supporting a young student with a conducting scholarship at The Lake Luzerne Music Camp in the Adirondacks. Maestro Barzin was a frequent visitor to the camp, and was one of its longtime principal advisors. This scholarship is one of the many ways that the NOA is honoring the great work of its beloved founding conductor.

Mother's Day Concert

On May 13th, The National Orchestral Association, Park City Bank, The Judson Foundation, and several other organizations sponsored a concert by the String Orchestra of New York City ("SONYC") Octet at The Sundance Resort, as part of its continuing "Spirit of Sundance Series." On May 14^th, the Octet gave a Mother's Day concert at the Eccles Center for the Performing Arts in Park City. During their visit, the members of SONYC continued their educational outreach activities in area schools, building on the successful outreach program which they initiated in Utah in 1998.

NOA Fall Gala to Honor Thomas E. Lazour

On September 19th, the National Orchestral Association will hold a gala black-tie dinner at New York's exclusive Lotos Club honoring Thomas E. Lazour. The Board of the National Orchestral Association is pleased to be honoring the many accomplishments of Mr. Lazour, who is District Director of Civic and Promotional Affairs for Delta Air Lines in Salt Lake City. A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, Mr. Lazour began his career in 1973 as a Customer Service Agent for Delta in Boston, where he later became a marketing representative for the company. In 1988, he assumed responsibilities as Delta's Marketing Manager for Walt Disney World, and in 1990 was named District Marketing Manager for all of Southwest Florida. Following his success in Florida, Mr. Lazour became District Marketing Manager in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was later promoted to key management positions in Corporate Communications and Olympic Marketing based in Atlanta. In 1996, Mr. Lazour was named Regional Manager for International Relationship Marketing for Delta in London, England, and in 1999 was elevated to the newly created position of District Director of Civic and Promotional Affairs for Delta at its strategic hub in Salt Lake City.

The Board of Directors of the National Orchestral Association has chosen Mr. Lazour as its honoree at the Fall Gala in order to recognize his many accomplishments, including his commitment and support of many worthwhile civic and cultural organizations, including the George S. & Dolores Dore Eccles Center for the Performing Arts in Park City. His work on behalf of the Eccles Center has had an important impact on Park City and the surrounding communities. Mr. Lazour and Delta Air Lines have also enabled National Orchestral Association musicians to come to Park City and Sundance for educational outreach visits and concerts in both communities. The National Orchestral Association is most grateful for Mr. Lazour's support, and that of Delta Air Lines in helping to make these musical outreach programs available to students in Utah. The Association is proud of its affiliation with Delta Air Lines, and is pleased to have this opportunity to recognize Mr. Lazour's leadership role in enriching the cultural life in Utah.

For more information concerning the dinner, please contact the National Orchestral Association's office in New York by telephone (212-350-4676) or via fax (212-350-1440).

Christie's Expert to Lead NOA Auctionn

Renowned art expert Eric Widing will be presiding over this year's benefit auction to be held as part of the Association's Annual Fall Gala. Mr. Widing heads up 19th Century American art for Christie's Auction House in New York, and is a longtime supporter of the NOA. The annual auction is always an exciting event that includes the auctioning of fabulous trips donated by NOA patrons. One of this year's auction items will be a trip to Maui.Renowned art expert Eric Widing will be presiding over this year's benefit auction to be held as part of the Association's Annual Fall Gala. Mr. Widing heads up 19th Century American art for Christie's Auction House in New York, and is a longtime supporter of the NOA. The annual auction is always an exciting event that includes the auctioning of fabulous trips donated by NOA patrons. One of this year's auction items will be a trip to Maui.