Speaker shares her passion, persistence
■ COMMENCEMENT:
Director of the Eugene
Symphony Orchestra Marin
Alsop addressed the audience
at the University’s summer
ceremony
By Kristin Bailey
Associate Editor
If you ask Marin Alsop for her
recipe for success, she’ll probably
tell you the usual ingredients:
passion and perseverance. But the
music director of the Eugene
Symphony Orchestra has used
her penchant for music to become
one of the world’s leading classi
cal music conductors.
“The one thing I can offer you is
to share the experience of the pur
suit of that which I’ve always
been passionate about,” Alsop
told the crowd at the University’s
summer commencement ceremo
ny. “Today it feels like it’s been
easy, but most days it feels as
though it’s been very, very chal
lenging. But I think that’s the only
rewarding way. I’ve known what
I’ve wanted to do since I was very
young. I don’t know if that’s a
blessing or a curse.”
But many of Alsop’s peers say
Alsop’s determination has been
anything but a curse.
“Marin Alsop has created her
own standards of excellence of
achievement in her work, con
ducting and directing several
symphonies nation-wide,” An
thropology Professor Paul Si
monds said. “Creative and coura
geous excellence have been the
driving force of her life. Creative
and courageous performance the
result.”
At the age of seven, Alsop said
she decided she wanted to be a
professional conductor. But
reaching her goal hasn’t been as
easy as just picking up her con
ducting batons.
“I wanted to play in the orches
tra until someone started com
plaining that there was some little
kid in the back of the second vio
lins who was trying to lead the or
chestra the whole time,” she said.
“So I got called into the conduc
tor’s office, and he said ‘You
know, you really have to stop
moving around and having such a
good time back there. Music is se
rious.’”
.■■■".—-..—.SMB.,,,,.;-L.- _ _____I
ANDREW BRACKENSICK/Emerald
Marin Alsop speaks about her history as a conductor to the 1996 sum
mer graduates at the summer commencement Saturday morning.
But Alsop said she never lost
sight of the fun she can have
when doing what she loves.
“My parents told me if you
don’t enjoy the rehearsals along
the way, you’re never going to
have a good concert,” she said.
“And I try to use that [advice]
whenever I can because the jour
ney has been very grueling at
times.”
Alsop’s journey has included
the founding of two New York
based music groups, a position as
the St. Louis Symphony’s creative
conductor chair and work as mu
sic director of the Colorado Sym
phony and the Long Island Phil
harmonic. She has studied with
the late Leonard Bernstein and re
cently received the University’s
Distinguished Service Award.
“I’m one of those people [for
whom] the biggest motivating
word is ‘can’t,’” she said. “As
soon as I hear that word, some
thing in me says, ‘Absolutely I
must.’”
But Alsop said her success has
also come from the help of others.
“If I could give a little bit more
advice, I would say try to sur
round yourself with people who
are supportive of what you do and
people who can give you honest
feedback that you can handle and
that you can use to benefit your
self,” she said. “Always invest in
yourself. I think it pays wonderful
dividends in the end.”
Back»° *he Books
Deadline is TODAY!
Don’t miss out.
Gall 346-3712
to reserve space.
Restaubant1&J5azz Club
Fine Italian &
Northwest Cuisine
Kitchen open ‘til bar closes
Lunch Served M-F 11:30-2:00
Live Jazz Nightly
NO COVER
http://www. rio. com/-jo feds/
Lunch M-F 259 E. 5th Ave. • 343-8488 Dinner 7 Nights
Nine Holes Eighteen Holes
$7 $12
• With Student ID
• 5 min from
campus (off
Coburg Rd.)
• Quick play
• Rentals
Available
• Restaurant
• No tee times
• Mon-Fri
18 challenging holes of golf
2000 Cal Young RcL • 4844927
Oregon West
1475 Franklin
485-1624
Across from
Campus
Expires
10/31/96
FALL TERM SPECIAL
STUDENTS PAY NO
INITIATION FEE!
Find out why more students
are coming back to
Oregon West Fitness!
It’s the ULTIMATE!
Oregon West
FITNESS
1475 Franklin
485-1624
Across from
Campus
Expires
10/31/96
ONE FREE
WORKOUT!
Aerobics Included!
You Don't Need to Be a Member!
One visit per person with coupon.
One time only.
Oregon West
- FITNESS -
• Treadmills & Stairclimbers
Available
• The Ultimate in Aerobics!
• 40+ Classes a Week
• Complete Free Weight
Selection
• Computer Cycles & Rowers
• Short-Term Memberships
• Individualized Training Program
• Tanning
• Co-ed Spa Facilities
• Easy Access to Biking &
Running Trails
485-1624
Ultimate Location/Ultimate Hours
1475 Franklin
Open 7 Days A Week