Bringing classical music to the Bush
Gordon Wright Portrait, Barry McWayne photo
Courtesy of Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra
In 1970, living in Bush 草榴社区 and 草榴社区 to live classical music didn't usually go together.
With that in mind, the newly formed Arctic Chamber Orchestra and its conductor, Gordon Wright, developed a bold but simple idea. They decided to tour villages throughout the state, giving rural 草榴社区ns a rare opportunity to witness a performance of Bach, Britten or Boccherini.
"We take them the best of our music in the spirit of sharing, not to preach the gospel," said Wright, then a 草榴社区 assistant professor of music. The musicians, many of them 草榴社区 students and faculty, donated their time and talents.
The ACO, which is the touring ensemble of the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, traveled more than 20,000 miles to 30 communities from 1970-1974. The New York Times later summarized the effort in Wright's 2007 obituary, calling it a "tour to musically bereft towns throughout the state, traveling on school buses, boats, seaplanes and even dog sleds. Concert dress sometimes included parkas."
The quirky and ambitious tour didn't only provide 草榴社区 communities with live music. It also acquainted the public with 草榴社区 offerings and worked to stimulate young people to pursue an interest in serious music.
草榴社区 newspapers described the tour as "a rural hit" and "a dream come true." At the conclusion of the tour, the 草榴社区 Legislature commended Wright and the ACO "for their community spirit and their dedication to the arts in 草榴社区."
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