MUSIC HALL Marks1241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

A Publication Of The Society For The Preservation Of Music Hall

2012WinterIssue

Happy Holidays!! The holidayseason is happily here and we cer-tainly have much to be thankful,and joyful for, here at Music Hall.

A successful summer startedearly with an outstanding May Fes-tival, followed by theCincinnati Opera and a“blockbuster” productionof Porgy and Bess.“Smack-dab” in the mid-dle of the year was atrue first for Music Hall……..sold out concerts aspart of the 2012 WorldChoirs Games, in theirfirst USA appearance.Music Hall showed itsloveliness to the world audience at-tending. September witnessed asold-out Symphony season openerand October brought a Cincinnatipremiere by the Ballet Company ofAlice (in wonderland).

And, from the steps of MusicHall, we have seen an increasinglydynamic community. The openingof Washington Park has vastly sur-

passed everyone’s hopes. MusicHall’s “front-lawn” is now so muchmore and is an almost non-stopbeehive of activities of concerts,movies, and festivals. So, come ondown!

Your SPMH hasalso been extremely ac-tive in a most successfulyear. With the delay inthe revitalization plans,SPMH has stepped upan interior painting pro-gram and has completedthe beautiful refinishingof the hardwood floors inthe ballroom, mainstage, rehearsal halls

and has restored to freshness theoutside of the Elm Street woodendoors. In addition, current initia-tives include the restoration of theart carved wooden 1878 organpanels. Plans are underway to ex-pand our already popular tour pro-gram. Our Wurlitzer Organ seriescontinues with sold-out audiencesand will shine again with a pair of

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SPMH - President!s Message

Don Siekmann

Table of Contentspage 1page 2page 2page 3page 7page 8page 10page 12page 14

President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2012 Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . SPMH Mission Statement . . . . . . . . 2012 SPMH Annual Meeting . . . . . Tour Program Excitement . . . . . . . .Interview with Joyce Van Wye . Art-Carved Panel Documentary . . . C’est Si Bon!. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .Mighty Wurlitzer Concert . . . .

‘Alice (in wonderland)’! . . . . . . Handel’s Messiah . . . . . . . . . . . .. Do Buildings Smile? . . . . . . Imposing Springer Statue. . . . . . The Doors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . SPMH Members List. . . . . . . . . .Philip Groshong, Photographer . Acknowledgements. . . . . . .

page 15page 16page 17page 18page 20page 21page 25page 26

SPMH BOARD of Directors 2012

PresidentDonald Siekmann

Immediate Past PresidentNorma Petersen

Vice PresidentsJoanne GrueterKathy JansonPeter Koenig

Ed RiderRecording Secretary

Karen McKimCorresponding Secretary

Marcella HsiungTreasurer

Mark WeadickDirectors

Lisa AllisonBarbara Boyd

Adrienne Beaudet Cowden

Meredith DowntonJoel Ebersole

Jodi M. GeiserMelissa Godoy

Marge HammelrathBarbara Harshman

William HenrichKen Jones

Ramon RodriguezEugene Saenger, Jr.

Rosemary SchlachterJohn Senhauser

Kathryn W. ShahaniSue SommerJim Tarbell

Norman ThomasRonald Wehmeier

Ex Officio DirectorsPatty Beggs

- Cincinnati Opera

Trey Devey - Cincinnati Symphony

OrchestraVictoria Morgan

- Cincinnati BalletLaure Quinlivan

- City of CincinnatiSteven Sunderman - Cincinnati May

FestivalHonorary Director

Claire PhillipsLife Member

Joyce Van Wye, Co-Founder

Past PresidentsMarlene Johnson

Joyce Van Wye Music Hall Liaison

Scott Santangelo

SPMH MISSION STATEMENTThe mission of The Society for the Preservation of Music Hall

is to preserve, promote, improve, and provide education about Music Hall,funding special projects in addition to Music Hall management’s operational

and maintenance obligations, and facilitating communications among Music Hall management, owner, and tenants, in order to perpetuate Music

Hall as the premier cultural center of the Region, and as a National Historic Landmark of international significance.

MUSIC HALL Marks 2concerts on December 13th. Suc-cess breeds success, so, we arealready looking forward to a greatyear ahead.

Please know how much weare thankful for you, the membersof SPMH. Your support is an inspi-ration to the Board to serve the in-terests of the community at MusicHall. We hope we have shown we

deserve that support, so I urge youto renew, or start, your member-ship. It’s easy. Just use the en-closed membership envelope.

Our continued best wishes aswe look forward to 2013! See youin Music Hall!!

- Don Siekmann

The SPMH Annual Meetingwas held on Monday, September10th in Music Hall’s Corbett Tower.Celebrating the25th anniversaryof the inception ofSPMH, the meet-ing was attendedby nearly 150members andfriends of SPMH.During the cocktailreception, with anelegant horsd’oeuvres buffet,guests were sere-naded by pianist,Don Hurd, andgreeted by currentSPMH Board members.

Board President, Don Siek-mann, called the meeting to order,emphasizing theSPMH’s Mission: ToPreserve, Promote,Improve, and ProvideEducation aboutMusic Hall in order toperpetuate Music Hallas the premier cul-tural center of the re-gion, and as aNational HistoricLandmark of interna-tional significance.Mr. Siekmann’s open-ing comments high-lighted a few of the

year’s major accomplishments.These included the sold-out Holi-day Wurlitzer concert last Decem-

ber and theBroadway tribute inMay. He shared up-dates to content onour website,spmhcincinnati.org.He also announcedthe upcoming Holi-day Wurlitzer con-cert on December13th and the intro-duction of a newSPMH holiday or-nament featuringan etching of MusicHall. Tickets to the

concert as well as the 2012 Christ-mas Ornament were available atdiscounted prices at the meeting.

The attendeeswere then treated to adelightful perform-ance, courtesy ofCincinnati Opera. TwoCincinnati Operacompany members,Claude Cassion &Jackie Echols, per-formed moving ex-cerpts from thesummer’s hailed andbeloved production ofPorgy and Bess.

The meetingmoved to Committee

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2012 SPMH Annual Meeting:Celebrating 25 Years

Don Hurd pianist

Don Siekmann

reports. First up was Peter Koenig,Head of the Membership Commit-tee, who reviewed current andnewly elected SPHM Directors andOfficers. Directors elected to a sec-ond term, ending in September,2015, are Lisa Alli-son, William E.Hendrick andRonald F.Wehmeier. Mered-ith Downton waselected as a newDirector, returningto SPMH after ashort hiatus.

Officerselected for anotheryear are President:Don Siekmann;Recording Secre-tary: Karen McKim;Vice Presidents: Joanne Grueter,Kathy Janson, Peter Koenig, EdRider; Corresponding Secretary:Marcella Hsiung; Treasurer: MarkWeadick. Mr. Koenig also thankedMace Justice, who is retiring at theend of 2012. Mace provided valu-

able leadership and dedicated asignificant amount of his time asthe head of SPMH’s Tour Program.

Ed Rider took the podium topresent his report for the FacilitiesFunding Committee. Over an 18

month period, theFacilities FundingCommittee pro-vided nearly$100K in financialsupport to com-plete a new ticket-ing system, repairand refurbishmentof patron ameni-ties, extensivepainting through-out Music Hall, re-finishing the floorsof the Ballroom,stage and re-

hearsal hall and refurbishing thebeautiful exterior the large woodendoors at the front entrance to MusicHall. Mr. Rider previewed newprojects under consideration for thecoming year including restorationand preservation of historic wood

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Claude Cassion and Jackie Echols

Peter Koenig Ed Rider Kathy Janson

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carved organ panels.Kathy Janson, Editor of

MUSIC HALL Marks, presentedhighlights from the 2012 publica-tions. With two issues publishedannually, and over 3000 distributedin total, MUSIC HALL Marks is avaluable SPMH member benefit.This past year articles covered awide range of topics: a history ofSPMH; a profile of Sue Sommer,SPMH Board Member and HeadUsher; restoration of the 1878organ panels; OTR Flags in Wash-ington Park; and 19th Century Ex-positions at Music Hall. Continuingfeatures are “Music Hall Memories”and Member recognition.

Lisa Allison, from the Market-ing Committee, spoke on behalf ofMeredith Downton who was travel-ing. Mrs. Downton has been newlyappointed to head SPMH’s TourProgram. Her goal for a revitalizedtour program is to expand andbuild on the tour program legacyestablished under the fine steward-ship of Mace Justice. Mace waspublically thanked by the evening’s

attendees for his contributions. Mr. Siekmann then turned at-

tention to recognizing the followingfounding members of SPMH 25years ago: Nadine Bellini, BarbaraBoyd, Patricia A. Corbett, EricDoepke, Dianne Dunkelman, Eu-gene V. Frey, Mary S. Ghory, BettyW. Herschede, Marlene Johnson,Jill Kamin, Frank L. Koucky III,Patrick M. Korb, Alberta Marsh,Louise D. Nippert, Norma Pe-tersen, Jean S. Reis, Linda Siek-mann, John R. Van Wye, JoyceVan Wye, Howard S. Wacksman.Those founding members whowere present were asked to stand,and received a standing ovationfrom the audience. Mr. Siekmanninvited SPMH’s first President,Joyce Van Wye, to provide her re-flections on the people and thepassion for Music Hall that was theimpetus for SPMH. Mrs. Van Wyeoffered humorous and poignantstories of the key individuals whoprovided vision, leadership, initial financial sourcing and long termendowment for the association that

Lisa Allison Marlene Johnson, Norma Petersen, Joyce Van Wye

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Joanne Grueter and Maureen Dillon

Mary Ellyn Hutton and Allen Martin Linda Siekmann and Patty Beggs Laure Quinlivan, Patrick Korb

Patty Beggs, Missie Santomo and Steve Sunderman

is now SPMH. Her comments werethe highlight of the evening.

In closing, Mr. Siekmann en-couraged all to support SPMH’s vi-sion for Cincinnati’s crown jewel,Music Hall, through continued an-

nual membership. The 2012 SPMHAnnual Meeting was adjourned byMr. Siekmann who thanked all forattending.

-- Lisa Allison

Mary Coyne, selling SPMH DVDs and Holiday Ornaments

Key objectives of the re-vamped tour program underMeredith Downton, newly ap-pointed Head, were outlined at theAnnual Meeting. These include thefollowing:

1.Expanding thetour guide base. Ourtwelve “Hosts and Host-esses” are exceptionallyknowledgeable aboutMusic Hall history andlore and they love shar-ing their knowledge withvisiting groups.

2.Coordinating withexistingperformances/events.

3.Embarking onmore proactive marketing and PR.In 2013 we will be expanding ourtour offerings by going “on theroad”. Our plan is to develop abrief “History of Your Music Hall”presentation which can be usedwith clubs, retirement centers andother organizations. We will do thisin order to generate further interestin Music Hall and to encouragemore groups to sign-up for a fulltour. Once Music Hall’s revitaliza-tion gets underway we would like

to have “hard hat” tours – enablingpeople to develop new apprecia-tion for the beautiful craftsmanshipthat has gone into and will begoing into the building - - - thingswe often take for granted.

4. Using technology(iPads etc.). We hope todevelop additional MusicHall interest, especiallyamong younger, morediverse audiences. Thiswill also add to our col-lective information basewhich will benefit all visi-tors.

Our current MusicHall tour program isthriving and several

tours are scheduled for this fall andinto next year. The future is excit-ing for the tour program!

Have an interested group?Want to be involved yourself?Please contact Meredith Downton(mdownton@aol.com) or SaritaCiers at Cincinnati Arts Associa-tion, 513-744-3344,(sciers@cincinnatiarts.org )

-- Meredith Downton

Tour Program Excitement

Meredith Downton

Give the gift of HistoryPurchase Music Hall:

“Cincinnati Finds its Voice”DVD or VHS

call (513) 744-3293

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She placed her nimble fingerson the keys and within moments,calm settled into the room turning asimple lunch time into a dining ex-perience for those at ‘The Lodge’.Joyce Van Wye continued her se-lection “I’ve got Rhythm”, “If YouKnew Susie”,“EmbraceableYou”, “God BlessAmerica”, beforemoving frombench to chair topartake of herown lunch. Joyceprovides 15 min-utes of her musicbefore all meals,making specialnote of each birth-day of the 209residents with thetraditional song. “Ilike hearing residents tell me theyenjoy my playing.”

Giving of herself comes easilyto Joyce, founder and honoredspeaker at the September 10thSPMH Annual Meeting which cele-brated the organization’s 25th an-niversary. She told of how friend,Charlotte Shockley suggested,years ago, that volunteering forCincinnati Opera might provide anopportunity for a job. Offered a po-sition in the ticket office, Joyce ad-vanced to Ticket Manager, a titleshe held for 18 years. Her officedoor, positioned across from theconference room (where Sym-

phony, Ballet and May Festivalgroups met) afforded frequent op-portunities for encounters withJean Reis of the Corbett Founda-tion. Seeing a need for support ofMusic Hall, Joyce voiced her con-cerns with Jean. Daily meetings

and/or phonecalls resulted inthoughtful plan-ning. “We startedwith a luncheonmeeting at the lit-tle restaurant‘Bacchus’. JeanReis, Louise Nip-pert, Norma Pe-tersen and I metto discuss the sit-uation. In time wecontacted severalpeople who wereinterested in help-

ing.” These included Patricia Cor-bett, Betty Herschede and ManuelMayerson. Thus they laid thegroundwork for the support grouplater to be known as the Society forthe Preservation of Music Hall. Oneof the first projects taken on wasthe replacement of the old andstained stage curtain. Louise Nip-pert paid for a new curtain forwhich Joyce ordered gold fringefrom Belgium. Betty Herchede paidfor 10 box seat renovations, chairs,draperies, etc. Joyce, after acquir-ing permission from the City andthe Manager of Music Hall, ap-proached her friend Manny Mayer-

Joyce Van Wye

An Interview with Joyce VanWye

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son about the need for lights on theoutside front of Music Hall. Hegave the project $100,000. Sincethose early days hundreds of proj-ects, large and small have beentaken on by SPMH. When asked“What is your favorite place inMusic Hall?” she replied “I just loveMusic Hall period!”

Joyce was eager to talk abouther background, growing up inCincinnati. “At an early age, Mothertried teaching me to play piano. Intime I made up my own music.Mother sang and played piano andmy Father was an excellent drum-mer. I played melophone at NorthNorwood elementary school.” TheNorwood High School Bandneeded horn players and so, still inelementary school, she was askedto join the band. “I really lovedplaying the horn. Here I wasmarching in the high school bandbefore I was in high school!” Shealso played in Herb Tiemeyer’sBand which met on Saturdays 10a.m. ‘til noon. “I auditioned for asmall scholarship to pay for les-sons at The College of Music. Istarted playing in the band onenight and the orchestra two nightsevery week. Each year I wasawarded more scholarship dollarsto do more activities at The Collegeof Music (which was next to MusicHall). At Christmas time I played ina church orchestra under JosephSurdo, who spoke of me toNicholas Gabor, director of theJewish Community Orchestra. Iwas invited to come and play in

that orchestra.” She met John R.Van Wye a bassoon player in theJewish Community Orchestra andthey were married on October 22,1949. Many men were still in thearmed services at that time and theCSO had a shortage of musicians.“The Orchestra was doing Rite ofSpring so another student and Iwere asked to join the Musicians’Union. We did and I played extrahorn for nine years when CSO didWagner, Bruckner, etc. I alsoplayed horn under direction of An-drew Brady, R. Earl Snapp, CaptainHarry Meuser (from WashingtonD.C.) and George (Smittie) Smith.”Early in their marriage Joyce’s par-ents owned and lived on the Fal-mouth, Ky. Fairgrounds. The youngcouple played in the band at thefairgrounds on a regular basis.

“Jack and I wanted to have aWoodwind Quintet. Jack was excel-lent at making arrangements foroboe, flute, clarinet, horn and bas-soon. After many rehearsals it wasdecided we would like to have anorchestra. The Woodwind Quintetwas the basis for what later be-came The Cincinnati CommunityOrchestra. Largely under the ef-forts of personnel director andFrench hornist Joyce Van Wye andher husband Jack, a bassoonist,the orchestra steadily grew.Founded in 1954 it is still in exis-tence today under the direction ofGerald Doan

Joyce and Jack have threechildren: Ben, who played clarinet,Barbara who played the flute and

MUSIC HALL Marks 10Claudia who plays bassoon. Whileliving in Terrace Park the Van Wyeshad band rehearsals on their drive-way every Monday night in thesummer. Soon residents from Ter-race Park and other musical friendsasked if they could join. Subse-quently, The Terrace Park Some-times Marching Band was formedin 1961.

While Joyce was working forOpera in the 1980’s, George Dil-worth, trumpeter in charge of per-sonnel for the Boston UniversityBand asked Jack, retired from theposition of engineer at BaldwinPiano, to play baritone sax with theBand on a European tour. Joycegot permission to take a two weekleave from Opera to play Frenchhorn. In the two weeks, the bandplayed in 7 European cities. Mar-cus Nieman & The Sounds ofSousa Band, comprised of some ofthe finest musicians in Ohio, is yet

another of the bands/orchestras inwhich the couple played both musi-cal and administrative roles. Joycewas the manager for a time in the1990s.

Not surprisingly, Joyce VanWye was named one of the En-quirer’s 10 Women of the Year in1969. She currently is a member ofthe Matinee Musicale Club, theMacdowell Society (President2000—2002), Women’s Clef MusicClub of Cincinnati and an HonoraryMember of the Opera Board. Shehas been a resident of the LodgeRetirement Community for 8 !years. Here she met dear friendGeorge Stephen. “He is not a musi-cian, but a lover of good music,and we get along very well,” shesaid. “I have been blessed by manyteachers in my life – in school, inmy family and by circumstances.”Yes, blessed and a Blessing!

- Kathy Janson

Art-Carved Panel Restoration Documentary to Begin

With gratitude to a fellowshipfrom the new Cincinnati Arts Am-bassador Program, filmmaker andboard member Melissa Godoy isable to begin principal photographyon a short documentary that willtell the story of the forthcomingrestoration of the art-carved woodpanels from the 1878 Hook &Hastings Organ. The verité-stylefilm will be approximately 5-7 min-utes in length and will be availableto Music Hall visitors. Plans are

also underway to stream it on theSPMH website with more informa-tion and text that will not fit into thefilm. Envisioned are links to the re-gion’s internationally-known ex-perts and exhibits on the Cincinnatiart-carved furniture movement.“This film is just one short story,”Godoy says, “But my hope is that itwill crack open the door to witness-ing the tremendous undertaking ofrestoration and the people who doit.”

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Background Neglected treas-ures from Cincinnati’s unique artcarved furniture movement—18 ofthem hidden in the orchestra pit ofMusic Hall—will finally be broughtto light this year, restored, and puton display in Corbett Tower.

When the Hook & HastingsOrgan was unveiled at 1878’s MayFestival, it was sur-rounded by the opus ofthe Cincinnati Art-CarvedFurniture Movement—amagnificent multi-paneledscreen carved by 108+Cincinnati women, stu-dents of Ben Pittman andWilliam and Henry Fry.This was a unique artform, developed inCincinnati through theconvergence of two Eng-lish immigrant cabinetmaker fami-lies (the Frys and Pittmans) whoeventually made Cincinnati thecenter of one of the most importantmanifestations of the AestheticMovement in the United States(Kathy Janson, “Passion Flower,Trumpet Vine,” MUSIC HALLMarks, Winter 2011). Followers ofthe Aesthetic Movement eschewedindustrialization and looked to na-ture for inspiration. They valuedcraftsmanship and the union of thebeautiful and useful.

Frys’ and Pittman’s students atUC’s School of Design capturedand carved the Ohio Valley’s floraonto wood. Women often carved inthe evenings, the way they used toneedlepoint. It was tough and un-

ruly, requiring a variety of sharpand heavy tools to make their de-signs come to life.George WardNichols wrote in his book TheCincinnati Organ (1878), “It neveroccurs to the beholder that this isstiff hard wood with difficulty fash-ioned into the desired shape. It hasthe texture of leaf and stem, the

flexibility of foliage, thefragrance of the forest.”

And so the screen, awork of Cincinnati collab-orative art, was enjoyedand admired until themovement faded and theorgan was replaced. In1974, the organ was dis-mantled and its panelswere dispersed. 18 re-maining panels were hid-den in the orchestra pit.

Restoration Process Amaz-ingly, descendents of the Fry familycontinue to reside in the area andare still able to carve and restore.As the heavy panels, each uniquewith their Aesthetic Movement val-ues, are brought back to light, howwill they resonate in a digital age?Will the women’s art still speak?Are there any new clues to befound to the art form or to the eraor even to the city? “My approachwill be as non-intrusive as possi-ble.” Godoy said. “The womenmade their carvings come alive. Iwant to do the same in the film withphotography and sound, in a con-temporary way. There’s no guaran-tee it will all go smoothly – not therestoration, nor the film. And if it

Melissa Godoy

MUSIC HALL Marks 12did, it would be dull. The humanpart of the story will make it relat-able.” The project’s creativeprocess also includes two studentsfrom Cincinnati State.

Seven out of 125 applicantartists were chosen in this first yearof the Arts Ambassador Program.The initiative to reinstate an artsgrant was spearheaded by board

member Laure Quinlivan, Chair ofthe Cincinnati Strategic GrowthCommittee. The selection processwas done by a volunteer committeeof artists, business people, and mu-seum executives and required aproposal, sample work, and an in-terview.

- Melissa Godoy

“I am 100% confident that wehave selected a thoughtful andpassionate artistic leader who willengage our musicians, our audi-ence and this community.” And mo-ments after Trey Devey spokethese introductory words on April24, 2012, Louis Langrée acceptedthe baton from concertmaster Tim-othy Lees, to become the CSO’s13th Music Director! “It is a greathonor for me to have been offeredthe position of Music Director ofthis prestigious orchestra. I amsure that our creative journey to-gether will be very stimulating forall of us and I am eager to sharethis deep and wonderful experi-ence with the community in Cincin-nati and beyond.”

World renowned, Langrée hasheld the position of Music Directorof the Mostly Mozart Festival atLincoln Center since 2002 and isthe Chief Conductor of the Camer-ata Salzburg, a highly regardedchamber orchestra. As Music Di-rector Designate of the CSO (tak-ing on the full role in 2013) he

brilliantly led the orchestra in theNovember 9th and 10th perform-ances of a program entitled“French Romance”, with selectionsfrom Messiaen, Franck and Saint-Saëns. He returned to the podiumon November 15th, 17th and 18thfor a program which includedBeethoven’s Symphony No. 9 andits triumphant “Ode to Joy” finalewith the May Festival Chorus.

Langrée began as a pianist,having graduated from the Stras-bourg Conservatory, and launchedhis career as a vocal coach andassistant at the Opéra National deLyon in 1983. Although he had noformal academic training in con-ducting he had a passion for thepodium, watching as many re-hearsals as possible. John EliotGardiner, music director at thetime, required an assistant for aparticular piece and offered theyoung Langrée his first chance.Conductor Jean-Claude Malgoire,aware of Louis’ talent with thebaton and eagerness for an oppor-tunity, asked him to conduct in his

C!est Si Bon!

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place for two programs and sobegan his, now, illustrious careeras a conductor of international sta-tus.

In an interview by ThomMariner for ‘Express Magazine’Langrée cited both the quality ofthe orchestra and the spirit of themusicians as key reasons for com-ing to Cincinnati. “Not only do theylisten”, he said, “but they are ableto translate technically what I say.”Richard Jensen, associate principaltimpanist said “some conductorslook right past you as a musician inthe orchestra and that’s not thecase with Langrée. On the podiumhe’s in the moment with you as aconductor and really connects wellwith the players.” “I want to talk topeople,” said Langrée “to ask musi-cians about their dreams, theirwishes as a way of under-standing the personality ofthe audience and orchestraand then using that knowl-edge to guide my program-ming. I need inspirationfrom all of you. I wantit to be a collectiveexperience.”

In additionto his conduct-ing talent andrapport withthe musicians,Langrée ischarged withaudiencebuilding andpromotingthe repu-

tation of the CSO both on a na-tional and international basis. Hehas said of Music Hall “it’s justmagnificent. It has really goodacoustics, and it’s absolutely su-perb, I think.” It is important to himthat he establish a home base inthe community and he finds Over-the-Rhine particularly attractive. ToJanelle Gelfand he said “maybe be-cause I am European, I don’t know,but I like the life downtown.” Helooks forward to bringing his familyhere. Living in Paris and married toAimée an actress and scriptwriterfor French television, the couplehave two children Céleste, 12 a vi-olinist, and Antoine 10 who playsboth violin and accordion.

To Thom Mariner he said that“art is here so that we can discoverthe beauty, the depths and the

strengths of pieces but alsoso we use them to dig intoour own secret garden ofsensitivity. Art elevates us.Let’s enjoy this together!”

Gracious, engaging andwarm, Langrée antici-

pates this new ad-venture with great

enthusiasm andhe will, no doubt,bring freshnessand a goodmeasure ofFrench Flair!

- Kathy Janson

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"ALICE #in wonderland$!!

“Cincinnati Ballet’s recentproduction of Alice (inwonderland) at MusicHall (October 26-28)proved to be atremendous suc-cess. From pre-show publicity andticket sales to thetechnical ability ofdancers on stage andaudience reception, it wasa success in every sense ofthe word. We were thrilled to beable to bring this regional pre-miere to Cincinnati audiences inour own neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine, right down the streetfrom the Ballet Center at historicMusic Hall. Not only were the vi-suals on stage impressive, theCincinnati Symphony Orches-tra’s live instrumentation filledthe spacious auditorium; thelarge pit allowed 55 players.Coming to Music Hall for anevening out, sitting in the theaterand watching Alice (in wonder-

land), listening to the liveorchestra-- it’s hard not

to realize the impor-tance of this build-ing as a Cincinnatiicon. It was truly atreat to perform ina building withsuch a rich history.”

-- Cincinnati Ballet

(Editor’s Note: Nutcracker aCincinnati tradition, December

14-23, for tickets: Box Office 621-5282or www.cballet.org)

photos by Peter Mueller

Messiah willsound as grand asever this year whenthe Cincinnati Sym-phony Orchestraand the renownedMay Festival Cho-rus perform Handel’s inspiringmasterpiece on Sunday December16th at 2 p.m. in Music Hall. TheOrchestra will be led by Baroquespecialist Jane Glover who is incontinual demand on the interna-tional opera stage. Director ofOpera at the Royal Academy ofMusic, Ms. Glover is also Music Di-rector of Chicago’s Music of the

Baroque. Her con-cert engagementstake her all overthe world. The MayFestival Chorus,directed by RobertPorco, will feature

guest artists Arianna Zukerman(soprano), Phyllis Pancella (mezzo-soprano), Nicholas Phan (tenor)and Kevin Burdette (bass). Ticketsfor this Christmastime classic startat just $10. Call 381-3300 orwww.cincinnatisymphony.org Joinin with those on stage in singingthe jubilant “Hallelujah” Chorus!

MUSIC HALL Marks 16

Handel!s Messiah A Tradition

Arianna Zukerman Phyllis Pancella Nicholas Phan Kevin Burdett

Jane Glover

Do Buildings Smile? Music Hall most certainly smiles from the inside when it is filled with

happy patrons attending an event.

Now, with the rejuvenated Washington Park, Music Hall smiles from theoutside as well, as individuals, families, friends gather to enjoy the

many fun and interesting aspects of the Park and the enjoyable enter-tainments taking place in Music Hall’s front yard!

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MUSIC HALL Marks 18

It is quite possible that the ma-jority of patrons to Music Hall missthe statue of Reuben Springer, inthe central entry, due to the factthat it is ‘lost’ or rather blends intothe lightly colored wall behind.The following is an excerptfrom Picturesque Cincinnati,a book published by the JohnShillito Company in 1883:“Upon the west side of thevestibule of Music Hall, midwaybetween the south and centralentrances to the main hall,stands the Springer Statueerected to commemorate themunificence of Mr.Reuben R. Springer.The statue which is sixfeet three inches inheight represents Mr.Springer standing in agraceful and easy posi-tion, with his right handresting on a stand uponwhich are carved em-blems of Music, Art, andIndustry. The left handholds a scroll, on the innerpage of which can be dis-cerned a section of MusicHall set in bas-relief in gilt.The immediate base withthe statue itself is onepiece of pure white Car-rara marble. Thepedestal, a dark red mar-ble traversed withstreaks of light greenand white, affords a

strong contrast to the pure white ofthe statue resting upon it, thoughmined only a short distance fromeach other. On the four sides ap-pear bas-relief in delicate gilt letters

the word “Springer” at the front,“Music” at the right, “Industry”at the back, and “Art” at theleft. The base upon which the

entire work rests is a fineMaryland gray granite,

octagonal in shapeand sloping from thepedestal. The entireheight of the work asit stands is elevenfeet and seveninches. The walldecorations in therear, in striking con-trast to the sur-roundings, with aneat railing enclos-ing the statue, addvery much to the

effect. The statue isthe work of PrestonPowers of Florence,Italy, where it was ex-

ecuted, and is recog-nized as the best effort

of this eminent artist.It was unveiled and

presented to thetrustees of MusicHall on MondayMay 15, 1882.”

The generousand humbleReuben

The Imposing Springer Statue

Available at the Bravo Shop!

SPMH 2011 and 2012 lead crystal ornaments, featuring

Music Hall’s Rose Window and Music Hall at $25, perfect for gifting or keeping!

19 MUSIC HALL Marks

Renew your membership today by using the enclosed envelope.

If not a member, JOIN now and become a part of the

Society for the Preservation of Music Hallwww.spmhcincinnati.org

Springer never kept a record of amajority of his gifts, preferring tokeep knowledge of those betweenhimself and those to whom he hadgiven. Contributions to his privatecharities were vast amounts in theday and he never turned a beggarfrom his door. “I give when calledupon.” Springer objected to his

statue being placed in Music Hallsaying “I think my friends had bet-ter wait until I am dead.” In spite ofhis protestations, the committeeheaded by Chairman GeorgeMcAlpin, proceeded with the proj-ect. Reuben Springer refused to at-tend the unveiling ceremony.

MUSIC HALL Marks 20

The DoorsRemember the doors? “Oh

yeah, Jim Morrison ‘hello, I loveyou…” No, not those ‘Doors’—these Doors and aren’t they gor-geous! SPMH restored andrefinished the Elm Street woodenentrances to Music Hall in gleam-ing fashion! Pre-viously dingyand barely no-ticeable, theynow greet pa-trons as theywere intended.The wood grain,window detailsand stunninghinges arestandouts! Andthese aren’t theonly examples ofrecent SPMHfunded projects.Check out therefinished woodballroom floors adding new pizzazzto the space filled with Albee fur-nishings and artifacts and thespectacular Albee Mighty Wurlitzerorgan! The stage and rehearsalhall floors have also been refin-ished. SPMH has purchased soft-ware for the Bravo Shop to trackinventory and equipment for pro-cessing customer transactions.Funding for the ticketing softwarethat enables print-at-home ticketingand electronic ticket scanning wasprovided by the SPMH CorbettTrust. The revitalization of Music

Hall has seen delays but SPMHhas stepped up to the plate to helpwith building enhancements in theinterim. Plumbing repairs, waterfountains and much needed paint-ing are additional uses of SPMHdollars. Future projects will include

care and restoration of many of thehistorical artifacts of Music Hall in-cluding the 1878 organ panels andadditional projects are soon to beannounced. To see a full listing ofall SPMH funded projects, go towww.spmhcincinnati.org. All of this,for the benefit of Music Hall, muchneeded and much appreciated, ispossible because of the donationsfrom you, our members. So, re-member ‘The Doors’ and ‘Hello,We Love You!’

- Kathy Janson

21 MUSIC HALL Marks

AGloria G. AckermanMary AbbottLisa & David AllisonAnonymousNancy J. ApfelVicky AronoffMr. Donald AubergerMrs. Mary Lou Aufmann

BMs. Elsa Jane Baer Michael & Kimberly BaranowskiMr. & Mrs. Wayne K. BarfelsRobert A. BauerMr. Donald BeckMr. & Mrs. Sheal L. BeckerPatricia BeggsDrs. Leslie & Carol BenetMrs. Thomas S. BenjaminEllen A. Berghamer Harvey & Thelma Bergman Mary Bergstein Eileen BerkeBruce & Barbara Best Arnulf H. BestehornEdward Betz, Jr.Thelma R. BetzTodd BezoldDr. David & Elaine BillmireNancy Kohnen BlackKathryn Blackburn Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Blum, Jr. Fay K. BoehJohn & Mary Ann BoornKenneth B. BordwellBarbara Boyd Marilynn K. Braude James & Carolyn BruckmannThomas G. Bruckmann

Trish & Rick BryanOtto M. Budig, Jr.Richard & Roberta BullAnn J. Bunis

C - DDeborah W. CampbellMrs. Mary E. CarrollJoan CavallyCincinnati Research & Paranormal StudiesCincinnati Stege Employees Local #5Mrs. Jackson L. Clagett IIIJoan M. ClearMr. Lawrence W. ClineJohn & Theresa ClockDr. & Mrs. John & Julie CohenMr. & Mrs. Leland M. ColePam & Mike CollinsMr. & Mrs. John P. ConnoleCorbett FoundationDr. Robin T. CottonAdrienne B. CowdenDavid & Martha P. CraftsStephen and Marian CrawfordPaul & Janice CrumrineMark DaunerSally H. DessauerTrey DeveyW. C. & Jean Dicken, Jr.Ms. Maureen C. DillonMr. & Mrs. Daniel DiltsDr. Karen DinsmorePaul J. DirkesWayne & Mary Jo DoeblingJean Z. DonaldsonConnie Bergstein DowMr. & Mrs. Charles Downton lllMarjorie W. DrackettSandra & Richard DrewesSuzanne F. Dunbar

2011 - 2012 SPMH Members

MUSIC HALL Marks 22Richard B. Dusterberg

E - FHarold & Linda EberenzJanet & Joel EbersoleCarol EcholsAnn EllisonMr. Charles N. EllmanConstance ElsaesserJames & Janet FergusonHilliard J. FjordDoris A. FluckGail F. ForbergJane A. FosterMs. Rochelle FradkinTom & Peggy FrankBercie C. FrohmanDr. & Mrs. Harry F. Fry Patricia & Roger Fry

GMrs. Marie F. GallagherJoseph N. GanimNeil & Linda GartnerMrs. Philip O. Geier, Jr.Ms. Susanne E. GeierJodi GeiserDr. & Mrs. Michael J. GelfandEvelyn M. GerdesPatricia GigliaGary l. GilmerJerry GlennMelissa GodoyClifford J. Goosman & Andrea WilsonMartha GramssWilliam E. Griess, Jr.Joanne GrueterDr. Carlton B. GuertlerMarilynn R. Guertler

HMr. & Mrs. Richard HaberstrohPriscilla G. HaffnerOliver & Jeannette HagermanDr. Kelly HaleMarge & Smith Hammelrath

Mercedes M. HanceCatherine HarrisDr. & Mrs. Morton HarshmanDr. & Mrs. Robert J. HaslLenore S. HatfieldMr. & Mrs. John HeldmanMr. & Mrs. Robert A. HenleyWilliam E. HenrichAlison HerschedeFrederick W. HinkleMr. Daniel J. HoffheimerMrs. Florette B. HoffheimerRobert & Dorthy HolzwarthDebora HopperRuth Ann HopperMarcella Hsiung & Tony LangMs. Carolyn Ruth HuntDonald A. HurdMary Ellyn Hutton

J - KMr. & Mrs. Michael JansonTommie J. JenkinsLinda Busken JergensJean JettMarlene JohnsonRobert L. JohnsonLois K. JolsonKen JonesMr. Robert M. JonesMary Ann JordanMartin & Shirley JoyceMr. Mace C. JusticeMr. Paul C. KeidelArleene KellerTerri & Gary KidneyThe Walter & Olivia Kiebach FoundationDavid KlingshirnEileen KnollmanChristopher Knoop & Carol GrashaLee KoehlerPeter KoenigMr. Patrick M. KorbCarol & Scott KosarkoKen & Sue Kramer

23 MUSIC HALL Marks

Carol L. Kruse

LSusan LaffoonThomas L. LakeWalter LangsamFred & Claire LawrenceAlan J. & Mary J. LehnMs. Cynthia A. LeslieCalvin & Patricia LinnemannAdele & Thomas LippertDr. Jennifer LoggieCarl & Joyce LohstrohMr. & Mrs. Phillip C. LongJoyce & Dan LoreyMr. & Mrs. William LottsRalph & Frances LowensteinDr. & Mrs. Joseph T. Luttmer

MHelene & Millard MackJudy & Allen MartinMr. David J. MasonBobbie MaybrierJames & Rebecca McDermottNancy A. McGaryDr. & Mrs. William McKim, Jr.James & Sarah MichaelDr. & Mrs. John A. MichaelMr. Jerome M. MillerDavid & Martha MillettIvan & Patricia MisrachDonna S. MontgomeryHerta L. MooreVictoria MorganWayne MorseMarjorie MotchPatti Myers

N - OSr. Ruth Nastold. R.S.M.Timothy S. NeedlerJerry & Monica NerlJanet NeumannMr. & Mrs. Thomas Neyer

Rita W. NowikowskiJane & Ervin OberschmidtCarolyn Roland O'BryanTamar & Alan OestreichMr. & Mrs. William R. OligeeFred & Lela OliverRobert W. OlsonMarilyn Z. Ott

PJudge Mark and Sue Ann PainterMrs. Mary L. PalmerMrs. Jill ParsonsJulie PattersonPaycor Inc.Ms. Lavonia F. PaytonCarol & James PearceMark & Kim PearsonMr. & Mrs. John E. Pepper, Jr.Mrs. Norma PetersenClaire PhillipsDavid & Alice B. PhillipsMr. & Mrs. Joseph A PichlerDr. Maria E. PinhoMr. & Mrs. John W. PlattnerTimothy L. Pohlman, D.D.S.Dr. & Mrs. Michael PorteJudith PrinzMrs. Amanda H. Prus

Q - RLaure QuinlivanCliff RadelJ. Lee RasmussenJean RatcliffSandy & Frank ReederDavid & Marilyn ReichertProf. Edward J. RequardtMs. Alene W. RiceMelody Sawyer RichardsonMr. & Mrs. Ed & Barb RiderRichard P. RobinsonRamon RodriguezEdward & Nancy RosenthalMrs. & Mrs. Jack Rouse

MUSIC HALL Marks 24Solvegia Rush

SMr. & Mrs. Eugene Saenger, Jr.James & Joyce SalingerDr. & Mrs. Richard SalzerScott SantangeloMelissa G. SantomoDavid SavageRosemary SchlachterStacy Sommer SchmidtDr. & Mrs. Harold SchneiderCharlotte & Richard SchnitzMr. & Mrs. Richard SchorrMrs. Zell SchulmanJoseph & Kathleen SchwabTheodore Schwartz & MinetteHoffheimerMartha SeamanMr. & Mrs. Howard W. SeitzMs. Mildred J. SelonickTeri & John SenhauserKathryn W. ShahaniMrs. Jean J. ShawDeb ShulanskyEli E. Shupe, Jr.Donald C. & Linda SiekmannJames & Linda SimpsonMr. & Mrs. Paul SittenfeldDavid A. SkidmoreMr. & Mrs. Gerald SkidmoreAdrienne A. SmithAlex SmithMr. Carson SmithSisters of the TransfigurationBill & Sue SommerMarie F. SpezialeRichard & Lois SpriggMr. J. R. Bob SteelmanMr. & Mrs. Thomas E. StegmanJulia & David StephenMary S. Stern

Brett Stover & Christopher HassallJoan G. StraderGeorge & Jill StumpSteven SundermanMr. Dale Swisher

TThmas L. TallentireDr. & Mrs. Shiro TanakaJim TarbellNorman ThomasJames L. ThompsonJanet G. ToddMrs. Marcella G. Trice

V - ZMadge VanbuskirkJoyce Van WyeEdward & Wilma Vignale, Jr.Ruth Ann VoetMr. Howard S. WacksmanNancy WagnerPatricia WagnerMr. & Mrs. Paul H. WardMr. & Mrs. John M. WardMr. & Mrs. Frederick D. WarrenPaula J. WatersMark & Lisa WeadickKatie K. WeedMr. Ron WehmeierRichard W. WespMr. & Mrs. David WesterbeckSusan E. WestrickDr. & Mrs. James WillisDonna S. WirthShelby WoodDr. & Mrs. Richard WurzelbacherJohn M. YacherMr. & Mrs. Eric B. YeiserMargaret YeiserDr. & Mrs. Robert W. Ziegler III

Corrections? Please Call (513) 744-3293

A native of Bay Village, Ohio,Philip Groshong attended the Uni-versity of Kentucky and majored inJournalism. Upongraduation, he beganhis photography careerat Kentucky Educa-tional Television in Lex-ington. He and hiswife, Mattie, relocatedto Northern Kentucky in1984 where he startedhis own commercialphotography business.He opened a studio inCincinnati in 1994.

Mr. Groshong isthe company photogra-

pher for the Cincinnati Opera,Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra,Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and

25 MUSIC HALL Marks

Philip Groshong, Photographer

Children’s Theatre. He is the co-team photographer for the Cincin-nati Reds. For SPMH Phil hasphotographed the holiday orna-ments, the Fry carved organ pan-els, the Rose Window, and othersubjects. Two of his stunning pho-tographs have provided the cover

art for MUSIC HALL Marks in re-cent years.

His photo, “Belle of Louisville,”won first place in the National His-toric Landmark photography con-test and was published in the 2010NHL Event Planner. www.photophil.smugmug.com.

EditorKathy Janson

Contributing WritersLisa AllisonMeredith DowntonMelissa Godoy Don Siekmann

Cover: Photo- Phil GroshongDesign - Kathy Janson

Design and Layout Creative Flair Co.

Photo Credits: Meghan BernekingChristopher BuchananPhil GroshongMichael JansonPeter MuellerChris Pinelo

PrintingSpringDot

MUSIC HALL Marks 26

Acknowledgements

MUSIC HALL Marks241 Elm Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

A Publication Of The Society For The Preservation Of Music Hall

2010Winter Issue