MY RETURN TO MUSIC SINCE RETIREMENT FROM ENGINEERING
Walter L. Elden, P.E. (Ret)


I am pleased to write that I have had a positive effect upon our daughter, Marianne, in respect to enjoying classical music. She acquired an approciation for good, classical music, throughout her years. I believe it began when she performed in her school bands and because I was always exposing her to it at home and at concerts we would go to. Before she and her husband, Ed, moved aswy from Winter Park, FL to the Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas area, she and I had yearly subscriptions to at least 3 music event series in Orlando. First, we would go see/hear the Festival of Orchestras. Here, the world's greatest orchestras would come to Orlando and perform. Next, we would attend the Bach Festival of Winter Park. At one time I got to meet the current conductor, Dr. Sinclair, and let him know I once sang in the choir, back in the late 1950's. He invited me to consider returning to it, but I have not done so. Lastly, a small chamber music series was begun a few years ago, and Marianne and I attened those intimate concerts as well. One real thrill we got to experience was when my daughter and I got hear the Bach Festival Choir perform the Verdi "Requiem". That is the work I had been a part of back at the University of Florida in 1957. In the Requiem, there is a prat where two brass choirs play and answer each other, one off stage, the other on stage. I was pleased that she finally got to hear how thrilling that was.

When Ann, my wife, and I visited Marianne and Ed last year, in Texas, we all attended concerts held in the new Dallas Performing Arts Center and the Bass Music Hall in Ft. Worth. One particularly exciting concert was given by the Moscow Philharmonic at the Bass Music Hall.It was all Tchaikovsky and the highlight was the "1812 Overture". Boy was that spectacular.

Now, I am acquiring DVDs, and adding them to my large CD collection, so that I can both listen and watch the musicians perform. I find this a lot more enjoyable. That is why I wish to share these experiences with my community. So if this appeals to you, please let me know, and when it begins, just come out and enjoy.

If you read all the previous about my music background, thanks for being interested.

Walter L. Elden

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