Music was in the air during Wednesday’s Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary meeting and if you missed us, we missed you too. Thrills abound as we welcomed special guests from the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra. Pat Thompson got things off with our Invocation expressing words of Peace, Hope and Forgiveness for our Nation. Expressing Love through Giving was Pat’s emphasis in his message therein lays our opportunity to perform daily as Rotarians.
Gentleman Bill Black created the perfect mood in leading us in our Pledge of Allegiance as darling Past President Denise Haynes gleefully inspired by having us join in singing My County Tis’ of Thee. President David Spalinger is certainly a trained observer if I might say. He spotted our Mindy Wilmot on ZOOM with an eye-catching backdrop scene. The Prez wanted to know the significance. With an ear-to-ear smile, Mindy told us the backdrop mural reflects the United States Supreme Court’s decision May 4th 1987 that the court mandated women be accepted as active members in Rotary. Thank You Mindy for reminding us of this special day in our Rotary history. We are all better for the court’s decision!
**Featured Program**
Michele McClure had the honors of introducing our special guests from The Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, Executive Director Holly Arnold, Director of Education and Engagement Kendra Green, and Director of Marketing Gabe Adame. Holly, who to our benefit, moved to Bakersfield in 1991. She brought with her a zest for community service which has progressed through a number of profit and non-profit businesses. All the while nestled inside was a seed for the how she could contribute to local culture through our symphony orchestra. Fast forward to 2018 - Holly was appointed our symphony’s executive director. A lot has changed over the years with the orchestra. Call it luck, or good timing, the orchestra and Kern County community have both benefitted.
I detected a certain amount of pride exuding from Holly, Kendra and Gabe as they took turns speaking about the symphony’s success. Gabe told us that since 1932 the symphony has attracted local fans to classical music which over the years has found more ways to engage the community. Gabe sees the symphony as a unifier in community engagement with more than just high-level live performances. He sees the symphony to increasing the quality of life in the Golden Empire. Holly agrees, as she is all about quantifying the symphony on the same value proposition as any industry that promotes economic development. From attracting professionals to Kern County, to closing gaps in our rural communities by sharing the symphony with marginalized youth; the symphony is the driver to achieving positive outcomes.Not only is the symphony a “hidden gem” in Kern County in and of itself, the orchestra conductor is pretty special too. We all know of the talents and leadership of conductor Stilian Kirov. Stilian is a vital piece of what makes being a part of the symphony so much fun. The man has natural talent that exudes in the festive manner he leads his band of musicians to the delight of thousands of fans every year. Holly told us we are privileged to have a conductor of such talents, and by all indications, it seems we will be seeing Stilian for some time to come.
As I mentioned earlier, the symphony was literally forced to recreate themselves during the pandemic, and they most certainly did. Brainstorming a modified delivery system, Team Holly focused upon making small groups of musicians, such as quartets, available for public and private appearances. From appearing at anniversaries, senior citizens facilities, or even an unexpected tuba solo of all things at 7 am for a wake-up call for an unsuspecting birthday celebrant, the symphony had found a new way to stay in the present. Hum, I like that tuba thing. Do we have a Rotary President Demotion coming up soon Past President Cheryl Scott?
Kendra told us that since live concerts had to be cancelled in the face of the pandemic, her focus was how she would re-direct the symphony to the community and on what platform. According to her, there was direct relationship to what the symphony offers and education needs that plagued educators. So here comes the symphony to the rescue! Numerous virtual videos were produced and complied that were made available to teachers which in turn enhanced teachers’ delivery of the on-line students. What Kendra and the symphony admin did not expect was the instant demand by educators for the 24 virtual videos. The videos became accessible to local teachers on the symphony website, and word soon traveled fast. It was noted by Kendra that teachers in 36 states and internationally also began to visit the symphony’s website to acquire the videos for their classes too!
An astounding result from all of this focus on education was that these virtual Young People’s Concerts, which have been a mainstay since I was a kid growing up here, became immensely popular. Bringing the symphony to children who would not otherwise had the opportunity to enjoy music performances at this high level. The symphony saw an increase in viewership of remarkable 930%! Be it though convenience of access, or the need for teachers to enhance their lessons to children, everyone involved enjoyed that “Hidden Gem” Holly speaks so proudly of.The Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra has certainly demonstrated their ability to flow with punches and grow in very special ways, yet they have not lost their sense for their humble beginnings. Simply, they just got better. Sure, Holly promised that we will still see Summer concert performances at Beale Park and we can anticipate a full slate of live concert performances for the 2021-22 season. She promises more surprises to follow. A special Mother’s Day concert is available today, Mother’s Day at 2:30 on KERO-23. The concert will recognize long-time symphony member and staff member matriarch Mary Moore who has been an integral to the symphony’s success. Mary has retired from the symphony after a stellar 62-year career.
BBRC in the past supported the symphony through attendance and membership. Holly hopes for continued community support of the non-profit symphony and expresses her gratitude for our years of generosity. She urges us to visit the website to keep abreast of the goings on and purchase concert season tickets, to become a symphony club member, or even provide financial support. Find the Bakersfield Symphony at https://www.bsonow.org/ Because getting connected and joining in the fun is as easy as “A one, A two and A three”! Thanks Holly, Kendra and Gabe for all you are doing for Bakersfield and taking the time out to visit with us!
**Announcements Announcements**
Absent Marianna Buoni and Dale Bender are both celebrating Rotary Anniversaries! Congrats to the both of you and your valued friendships in the club.
The Prez, was pleased to have Holly, Kendra, and Gabe as our guests, but when their presentation was complete the music was over. Yes, you guested it, it was time for The Prez to see who read The Beacon. A chief moneymaker for the President Dave in recent weeks, he anticipated a big payday this morning, and he was right on as several members had failed to read The Beacon to know The Clue. Falling by the wayside were Sandra “Hawaiian Punch” Parnell, Dr. Tom Burke, Frank Tripicchio, Karen Bonnano, Greg Desume, and Athena Collup. All good Rotarians, now just all short $10 bucks! Then comes Past President Carol “Camping” Smith who correctly answered The Clue which was as to the Kern Bridges mural Rotarians recently painted, the butterflies symbolize foster families for children reaching them. By the way very nice clue Mindy and thanks for writing last week. Nice work!
Past President Cheryl Scott is out on the lookout of co-conspirators to organize President Dave’s Demotion, or Demolition! If you have the knack to help, or just want to payback your president, see Cheryl and she’ll give you something fun to do in preparation. Projected dates appear to be June 24th or 25th.May 29th certainly is the date Rotarians big and small are asked by Denise Haynes to participate in staging this year’s Thousand Flags Event over Memorial Day weekend. Sign-ups for 3-hour time slots are available. With the help of surveyor extraordinaire Past President Ron Nelms, the work at Riverwalk Park will be made so much easier for us. There are a number of tasks which we Rotarians can help with and from what I hear the weather is going to be magnificent.
June 26th is the date for our next Pancake Feed serving the Baker Street/East California Avenue community. Lend a hand and help Interactors in preparations of cooking eggs, and flippin’ pancakes. The program will be held from 7am to 10am. See Jeff Haynes for further detail and mark your calendar.
May 20th marks our next BBRC Social at Bottleshock 1002 19th Street #C. Sounds fun because Michele McClure is organizing this! The event is from 6pm to 8pm.
**Happy Spots**
Well let’s start off with Teresa Waller who recently returned from a vacation in North Carolina who was generous enough to bring The Prez some Steak Sauce that SUCKS! Well done, Teresa, FINE for you.
Jeff “JAWS” Haynes achieved victory for his execution of skill in deep water exploration. As an experienced scuba diver, he and his son have been working hard at becoming certified and they did so on Catalina Island last weekend. Congratulations and that will be a $20 FINE.
Temo Lopez who is the happy go lucky owner of Bakersfield Bytes, a computer service company announced he is celebrating 10 years running his business. We wish you another 10, 20 years Temo. A grateful Temo touted success and gave a $100 investment to the club’s coffers. Wowzie! Our Beacon Clue for next meeting is what is the name of Temo’s business and what does he do?
Oh, it’s prize time boys and girls! Our drawing yielded $43 dollars to this week’s winner who turned out to be John Guerard. A second ticket was drawn as the former mask wine give-away is waning. The second ticket was drawn and our very own Teresa Waller brought home some fine wine.
Peace Through Rotary,
Frank Wooldridge
Beacon Writer