It was stifling hot - a rehearsal in the midst of summer coupled with the glare of harsh lights beating down upon the orchestra players from above the stage. It took only too long for someone to decide to open some vents and let some air in, vents that had not been opened in years. Instead of the respite of cool air, it had come as a surprise to everyone when a rain of age-old pigeon poop poured down upon the players. This is

Jack Utley & JoFran Bendix

a memory that JoFran Bendix (who has been with La Porte County Symphony Orchestra for the past forty years since it first started, and is still an active member today) remembers fondly. The Symphony Orchestra was more casual back then, Bendix relates. People from all sorts of backgrounds got together for the love of music. This passion for music is what makes La Porte's symphony orchestra quite unique; it is rare for a small town to have such a community gem.

Years later, it still inspires the same sense of passion. Charles Steck, who has also been with the LCSO for much of the past forty years as Principal Trumpet and Associate Conductor, joined the orchestra while in high school. He then went on to get a Master of Music from Valparaiso University and teach music for a living. His wife, Mary is an oboist for the orchestra; their son Andrew performs trumpet in his dad's section and their youngest son Matthew recently became a LCSO Student Apprentice playing horn. For Steck, the music is his life. Playing for the orchestra is an opportunity for his family to bond, to share the experience of being able to perform the music of the greatest composers, music that has been appreciated by mankind for generations.

Now, to be celebrating the 40th year anniversary, the members of the LCSO look not only to the past, but also the future. LCSO member Cynthia Ault shares her own love of music with the children she teaches, working with kids to support the orchestra. Over the years past, the Kesling Middle School Student Council has raised and donated $3,275.85 to the orchestra, of which $1,000 was donated at the 2012 Spring Concert's Magic Baton auction as a matching challenge to others who wanted Mrs. Ault to conduct The Stars and Stripes Forever. When she won the honor to conduct she shared the podium with student officers at an evening that will long be cherished. The middle school children adored their elementary school experiences at the annual education concerts and wished to give that same experience to the current elementary school kids, to be role models, and to give back to their community.

40th Anniversary of LCSO   

Honoring Those Behind the Scenes

Twenty-four years ago on an unassuming Saturday afternoon, the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra held its very first concert for children, called the "Children's Family Concert". V. Michael Drayton, who has been a member of the LCSO Board of Directors on and off for the past 26 years (10 of those years as President of the Board), remarked that there had been more people on stage performing than there had been in the audience. Clearly something had to be done, and Drayton helped coordinate with local schools, meeting with superintendents, to change the event into an educational field trip for children.

Soon after that, the Children's Concert became the single biggest event in one day. Children from 52 schools in 8 different counties between Indiana and Michigan would come to see the concert--an average of 7,000 children with the largest amount totaling 8,400 children.

Michael Drayton & Maestro Bauman working together

While the concert might seem like a one-day thing, many months are spent in advance to supply teachers and students with learning materials and sending guest speakers to meet with the children. Many state standards for music are met during the concerts and are done so in an enjoyable and memorable manner. The concerts also give children life long lessons on proper concert etiquette and an irreplaceable appreciation for symphonic music.

The passion for music kindled in childhood never truly leaves us. While the LCSO maintains focus on educating children, newer members of the Board of Directors such as Dr. Paul Hecht, who joined in 2009, can see where adults still need the experiences that the orchestra can provide. Small college campuses, such as Purdue North Central where Hecht teaches literature, have benefited from collaboration with the LCSO, giving college students worthwhile experiences that broaden their perspectives as they plan their future careers.

Hecht finds that the orchestra provides a sense of professionalism that high school orchestras lacked. The musicians are there because they love to play, but it does not necessarily take playing an instrument to appreciate the music. For Drayton, who has never played a note on an instrument, the Children's Concert was the sole reason for his extended involvement with the Board of Directors which has been longer than most people. He is proud to see how successful the concerts have been, to see the children participating in the side quizzes and to hear them shout in excitement when they get the answers about the music and composers right. Drayton has received many "thank you"s over the years as well as statements from the children that they hope to be musicians when they grow up.

The 40th anniversary concert on November the 17th is not just a time to honor the musicians, but to celebrate and honor all those who have helped the LCSO become what it is today.