2000, 71 pages
Ernest T. Kretschmer: Reflections on Santa Cruz Musical Life, Volume II, 1993-1999
This volume is the project's second publication on Kretschmer, a notable presence in Santa Cruz musical life for more than 30 years. In this volume, Kretschmer reflects on the significant local cultural developments of the last decade and his role in those events. He describes the coming-of-age of the Santa Cruz County Symphony under Maestro Larry Granger, the need of the symphony and other musical organizations for a performing arts concert hall in north county, and recent efforts to establish such a facility.
Kretschmer also discusses the Henry J. Mello
Center for the Performing Arts, the
premiere cultural venue in south Santa Cruz County,
which Kretschmer was instrumental
in founding.
Kretschmer discusses the world-renowned Cabrillo
Music Festival, which he has participated
in since its inception. He recalls the festival's
acclaimed 1999 production of Leonard
Bernstein's "Mass," and the innovative
tenure of the festival's Music Director/Conductor,
Marin Alsop. He also gives a lively history of Santa
Cruz's New Music Works, directed
by Phil Collins, which has highlighted the work of
local composers, including Lou
Harrison.
Kretschmer's philanthropy over the years has
included the donation of concert grand
pianos to local venues, the establishment of music
scholarships for UCSC students,
the support of UCSC's resident student ensemble
program, and, most recently, the
establishment of a permanent endowment to enrich
musical archives in the University
Library's Special Collections.
Krestchmer's memoir demonstrates the importance
of dedicated volunteers in local
cultural organizations and how their contributions
have created in our small community
unusually diverse and thriving performing arts and
musical organizations.