Cape Ann Symphony celebrates 60 years of music

When the Cape Ann Symphony began 60 years ago, Harry Truman was president and a gallon of gas cost 27 cents.

"The world has changed tremendously since then," notes Yoichi Udagawa, the symphony's conductor and artistic director, "but something that has remained constant is the way that great music can touch our hearts and inspire the spirit."

In an economic era when many regional symphonies across the country have had to shut down, the Cape Ann Symphony has continued to develop its offerings.

"We are celebrating 60 years and this is a remarkable milestone for any type of arts group," said Tom Class, president of the symphony's board of directors. "The fact that we're still here and bringing classical music to the community and serving the community is something to celebrate."

In light of economic downtown in recent years, the Cape Ann Symphony restructured some programs, offering just one instead of two concerts over some weekends. But it also has branched out with new plans as well.

It held a holiday pops concert in Beverly and is planning a summer Pops concert.

"This will be in July at Gloucester High School so we can take advantage of its air conditioning which Fuller School does not have," said Class. "The idea is to take advantage of the much bigger population on Cape Ann during the summer. It will be an opportunity to celebrate and bring to a close our 60th anniversary and introduce the symphony to folks who haven't had opportunity to hear us before."

Continuing season

The Cape Ann Symphony is only half way through its season.

Upcoming concerts include "The Glory of Beethoven" on Sunday, March 25, at 2 p.m. and "Mother's Night Out" on Saturday, May 12, at 8 p.m.

The latter concert will showcase the overture by Rossini from his tragic opera "Semiramide," a piece noted for its dramatic contrasts, high energy and orchestral virtuosity. The May concert also includes Elita Kang, assistant concertmaster of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, who will play a violin concerto by Max Bruch, a German Romantic classicist composer, and the program ends with Brahms' "Symphony No. 4," one of the pinnacles of the Romantic musical tradition.

Class, a long-time patron before joining the board, said it was the quality of the music that always drew him back to concerts by the Cape Ann Symphony.

"I have always been a lover of classical music and to hear it performed so well by a regional symphony orchestra is terrific," he said. "It's so great to think that I can stay right here in Gloucester and have great works performed right here in my back yard."

Better and better

Udagawa, who joined the symphony a decade ago, said the symphony is always looking to make itself better.

"It has been a consistent joy to work with this group of musicians and our concerts seem to get better and better. Over the years we've had some turnover so we have a slightly different group now than 10 years ago," he said. "An audience survey showed there was tremendous support for what we're doing — and what we're trying to do always is make sure we present our audience with things they enjoy first of all, but also we want to throw in a couple of curve balls and surprise them."

"We are always trying to improve and find a balance of what's tried and true and what's interesting, new and entertaining," he said.

Peter Beacham, the board's vice president, said it has grown from an all volunteer orchestra to a professional one.

"It's been a wonderful kind of metamorphosis," he said. "The quality of the music is superb. We got incredibly positive reaction from everybody in the recent supporter survey."

Looking ahead, Beacham said the symphony hase begun to look at other places to perform in addition to Gloucester. He noted the holiday Pops performed last year at Beverly High School and plans for an open rehearsal at the now 3-year-old Manchester Essex Regional High School.

The history

The Cape Ann Symphony had its beginnings in February 1952 with Sam and Helen Gordon, an East Gloucester couple. They were described as "devoted amateur musicians" who conceived the idea of a local orchestra, using the talents of local people — including Helen Gordon who played violin.

It began as a volunteer group of about 30 musicians, and was initially called the Gloucester Civic Symphony Orchestra. Its debut that summer at the Gloucester High auditorium was a success; an estimated 800 concert goers listened to Beethoven's "First Symphony."

Soon after, the group changed its name to Cape Ann Symphony and concerts were free.

Sam Gordon presided over the organization for 28 years. After his death in 1980, the board of directors adopted new bylaws, which included provisions for a professional conductor, printing, music, hall rental, insurance, postage, soloists, and additional instrumentalists — all which would be paid for by charging admission, as was the case with other community orchestras.

A young David Benjamin, a clarinet player with the orchestra for many years, was chosen to take over as business manager in the wake of Sam Gordon's death. Benjamin has continued in that post since 1981.

The conductors

Early conductors were Bernard Whitram and Armand Vorce, followed by Leonid Milk, Haim Elisha, and Chester Roberts.

Royston Nash and Kay George Roberts presided in the 1980s, followed by Richard Van Stone in the 1990s. His tenure led to the naming of Udagawa, who also guided the symphony through the celebration of its 50th anniversary to standing ovations.

Another symphony effort with longevity is the Youth Initiative Program, which was developed in 1982 and has grown over the years. The youth initiative introduces the area's fourth- and fifth-graders to classical music and includes a concert as well as curriculum developed working with local teachers.

The program is administered by Bruce Bradshaw, who took over in 2004.

Bradshaw, a former summer resident who now lives on Cape Ann, had a career as a band and orchestra director in the public schools of Piscataway, N.J., but Bradshaw was familiar with the local symphony long before he began work with the youth initiative. He used to watch his father play the flute in the Cape Ann Symphony during the Gordon era.

Gail McCarthy can be reached at 978-283-7000 x3445, or at gmccarthy@gloucestertimes.com.

Symphony's Birthday

Why: Cape Ann Symphony celebrates its Diamond Anniversary (60 years).

When: Saturday, 7 to 10 p.m.

Where: Cruiseport Gloucester, Rowe Square

What: The event, with tickets available to the public, features the 18-piece Soft Touch Dance Band, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, cash bar, champagne and birthday cake. State Sen. Bruce Tarr will lead a live auction, which includes a week at a beachfront condo in Puerto Rico, a diamond ring, Patriots tickets, a French wine tour in France with tour guide and wine expert as well as a stay in a chateau.

How much: $50. For reservations or ticket information, visit www.capeannsymphony.org or call 978-283-6750.

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