Accomplishing Almost the Impossible
In a memo to Dean Stein, of the School of Fine Arts, BYSO Board member Wilbur Fullbright wrote, "...a presentation was made concerning the possibility of a trip to Israel during the Summer of 1970. Great interest was expressed and the board voted to pursue the matter in detail for consideration at the next meeting."
Unlike BYSO's previous tours, there was serious consideration given to the destination, as highlighted in a letter written to BYSO President Mrs. Kuffler from Dean Stein, in which he stated, "there is perhaps in many of us an element of apprehension about the responsibility for sending a group of students to the country as we hear and read reports of violence and other unsettled conditions." Stein went on the say that the decision should be made with great thoughtfulness, but added at the end of his letter, "I am for the trip."
In the end GBYSO did tour Israel and in August 1970, GBYSO participated in the 10th Israel Music Festival with performances in Caesarea and Jerusalem. The orchestra also had concerts in Tel Aviv and Nof Ginosar.
View Memo of Trip
View Itinerary for Trip
View Copy of Telegram sent to the Orchestra
Israel Festival
A Jerusalem Post reporter wrote of the BYSO's performance in Jerusalem, the orchestra, “is a disciplined body — through hard work succeeded in accomplishing almost the impossible — to present no less than five contemporary compositions in one programme.”
The orchestra performed Penderecki's “Capriccio”, the overture from Glinka's “Russlan and Ludmilla,” Hindemith's “Symphonic Metamorphosis,” Faure's “Pavane” and Boston University professor, Gardner Read's “Vernal Equinox”.
Boasting first-rate artists from both the classical music and jazz worlds, the festival opened with Zubin Mehta conducting the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Other artists who performed during the festival included Issac Stern and the Paul Winter Consort.
The critics were enchanted with the orchestra as were the audiences. Reporter Dan Aranowicz's best captured this sentiment when he said, the orchestra, “by its extraordinary artistic quality has left an unforgettable impression on the people of Caesarea and Jerusalem. How can one not admire these young high school students whose level (of performance) is superior even to some professional orchestras!”
View BYSO Impressions of Israel
View Festival Program