14 minute read
Voices
State of the Arts
In response to our summer Arts Issue, readers reflect on memorable music, art, and theatre that profoundly impacted their lives.
Someone at Andover in 1957 arranged for a group of students to attend an afternoon concert by Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic at Boston Symphony Hall. Though I was a very unsophisticated Seattle kid on a full scholarship, I knew Brahms’ Second Symphony by heart from my well-worn Columbia LP. Suddenly, in Boston, in the middle of the second movement, I found myself sobbing. It seemed to me that Brahms was crying his heart out, and I could only join him.
I had never experienced such a response to music before, and it frightened me. That evening, I wrote to the blind violinist who owned the neighborhood record store where I worked as a teenager, asking him if I should be worried about this extreme behavior. Was I losing it? He had been my guide to many musical discoveries (Callas, Milanov, Ponselle...and all the great composers). And I trusted him. To my tears, he answered, “Welcome to the club!”
Much earlier in Seattle, as I was stepping into adolescence, I asked my somewhat musical mother if the intense joy I got from classical music was a gift I would have all my life, or was it “just a phase?”
For the first time in my life, I realized she didn’t understand me or my question. I felt so alone! I feared this special happiness might pass away, even though I couldn’t imagine how that would happen. (Music, especially Handel’s Messiah, was my escape from a pervasive self-hatred for being gay. How could I cope if I “lost” music?) My blind friend, on the other hand, fully understood me and, what’s more, celebrated my passage! As I went on to Columbia and, among many other things, the thrills of standing room at the old Metropolitan Opera, I came to appreciate this passage as a vital opening of my soul to a long life filled with cherished moments of ecstasy.
If Andover hadn’t taken me to Boston that day, how long would it have taken for me to come alive?
POT POURRI
—ROD PARKE ’57
In response to Eagle Tribune article about Gus ’93 (left, NY Mets hitting coach) and Hugh Quattlebaum ’96 (right, Red Sox VP of scouting development), pictured here with Gus’s sons and their parents faculty emeriti Ruth and Ed ’60:
COURTESY OF THE EAGLE-TRIBUNE POT POURRI
Paula (Prial) Folkman ’54 in production of H.M.S. Pinafore
Thank you for the awesome summer 2021 edition of the magazine. In response to your question about a piece of art that changed our lives, I’d like to share that the Avatar animated series on Nickelodeon fits that description.
The beauty of the animation and the thoughtful storytelling of both The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra truly marked my consciousness. I’ve watched every season of both series multiple times and often think of the lessons learned by Aang and Korra as I face challenge after challenge in my life.
When I became an Andover host mom a few years back, I bonded with the first international student who lived with us—a thoughtful and compassionate young woman from Turkey—over several hours indulging in Korra’s animated journey toward adulthood.
—RAQUEL MORENO ’01
The article on p. 13 of the Arts Issue references the Gilbert and Sullivan productions led by [Abbot music instructor] Miss Kate Friskin. But three also occurred in the early 1950s. They were Pirates of Penzance (1952), H.M.S. Pinafore (1953) [see photo at left], and Mikado (1954). I was lucky enough to have been very involved in these wonderful shows. Check the old issues of The Phillipian online—they got great reviews!
—PAULA (PRIAL) FOLKMAN ’54
While at Abbot, probably in 1972 or 1973, I first saw a slide of “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso. Dorothy Judd, a longtime Abbot Spanish teacher, spent a class period on this painting. She explained what occurred at Guernica in 1937 and why Picasso portrayed the tragedy in his distinctive way. His depiction of war and its consequences resonates today.
I later saw the painting in its temporary New York home in 1973 and then in its permanent Madrid home in 2010. In between, I studied the painting in art history and Spanish classes. But nothing compares to seeing it for the first time at Abbot.
—NOREEN MARKLEY ’73, P’11
I fondly remember Pat Morgan’s art history class and time spent, at his direction, admiring the great collection in the Addison. In response to your suggestion about a piece of art that has made life “more bearable,” I am sharing pictures of an art sculpture that has brightened my days.
On a visit to Old Town San Diego in 1968, I purchased an art sculpture of children on a teeter-totter by the Mexican artist Manuel Felguerez. He died last year, but his charming sculptures continue his legacy. This one brings a smile to my face, as it reminds me of riding on a seesaw at a public park when I was a child. Guests often have a similar response, happily relating their own childhood memories.
—FRED FENTON ’53
ISTOCK: BEETHOVEN, GWENGOAT
PAUL HOCHMAN ’82
via Facebook
In response to Vivian Toy ’81 being named director of Career Mobility at the New York Times Regarding recent Andover magazine award:
@ADEKOYEJO75
via Instagram
All School
Leading the Way
Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, joins the Class of 2022 for the opening of school Vista Walk following the path that students walk on Commencement day. This is the first of many special traditions for Andover seniors. Kington was recently featured on the cover of Northshore Magazine’s “Community All-Stars” issue, which highlights leaders shaping the region’s culture. And Kington’s essay, “Leadership Lessons: Making Space for Empathy,” was published by the National Association of Independent Schools. “By maintaining our ability to feel—especially the hard stuff— and developing better methods of self-care to help us carry that burden of empathy,” Kington writes, “we are better able to stay human and maintain meaning in our work and our mission.”
All School
TWENTY YEARS LATER: TEACHING 9/11
For current students, September 11, 2001, is history rather than memory. This past fall, that tragic day in American history was examined in depth through a robust curriculum.
Twenty years after nearly 3,000 lives were lost at the World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a new interdisciplinary seminar engaged students born after the event who have only known its echoes.
The William Sloane Coffin ’42 Colloquium involved more than a dozen faculty members, who guided students in an examination of a number of distinct and intersecting topics, such as Philosophy in a Time of Terror; Religious Extremism; The 9/11 Commission Report; American Sports, Patriotism, and Militarism; the Patriot Act; Guantanamo; and America Online 9/11 Conspiracy Thinking.
“The seminar was well-suited to the prismatic nature of September 11 and how it has become a multitude of ‘9/11s’—a plurality of things,” says instructor in English Tom Kane, who coordinated the course.
“Whether we look at religion, technology, trauma, philosophy, citizenship, media, or architecture,” he says, “we can theorize and glean a new glimpse of complex material, the political and historical forces that led up to and out of 9/11. In doing so, we can gain greater appreciation for the sources and forces that shape our world today.”
the BUZZ
A beloved author and now a new iconic toy. This past summer, toymaker Mattel unveiled its latest Barbie doll—in the likeness of Julia Alvarez ’67! Part of the Barbie “Inspiring Women” series, which aims to shine a light on role models for children, Alvarez was chosen for her legendary career, bravery in selfexpression, and continuing “to inspire generations of young Latinx to proudly tell their stories.” Kat Conlon ’04 was chosen this past February to lead the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation (MMSF), named in honor of basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, who both died tragically in a 2020 helicopter crash. The mission of MMSF is to create a positive impact for underserved athletes.
BLUE RUNS DEEP
Tapping into the school’s vast network of alumni expertise, the Blue Runs Deep industry series provides opportunities for alumni to meet with and talk to current students about different career fields. The series was launched last year by the Student Alumni Representatives (STARs) group in collaboration with the Office of Alumni Engagement.
This fall, Blue Runs Deep hosted two online conversations: “Alumni in Law” and “Alumni in Medicine.” Speaking with a panel of four alumni representing diverse medical fields, students asked questions about their path to a medical career and choice of specialty, the impact of COVID-19, and ways in which students can leverage the Andover network.
When asked what advice they would give to their younger Andover selves, several of the panelists commented that they wished they had taken more humanities-based classes.
Dr. Alisa Savetamal ’85, medical director of the Connecticut Burn Center, offered similar advice, saying, “This is a time for you to explore. In the words of my kids, ‘don’t be a grind.’ If you start something interesting, follow that.” Kesiah Bascom
Founder, OffBeet Compost OffBeet Compost, located in Massachusetts’ Merrimack Valley, promotes the idea of everyone becoming “champions of the environment.” The company, which has collected food waste from campus, works to create a resilient green economy by generating local green jobs, empowering community members to be land stewards, and contributing to an environmentally sustainable and just landscape. Liz Powell ’90
Founder & President, G2G Consulting Did you ever wonder how businesses secure government funding? That is the goal of Powell’s company, G2G Consulting, which offers a comprehensive, strategic roadmap to achieve the best results. With more than two decades of experience working on health, defense, high-tech, and economic development issues in Congress, Powell has a lot to offer to up-and-coming entrepreneurs.
Arthur C. Brooks
Professor, author, columnist Brooks has spent years teaching how to break the cycle of hatred through his books, articles, podcast, and speaking engagements. During an October All-School Meeting, Brooks offered solutions on how to disagree appropriately and respectfully, and how to build a new social movement based in solidarity and love.
SANTIAGO GARZA
Jack Gary
Director of Archaeology, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
As part of the Peabody Institute of Archaeology’s Diggin’ In series, Gary presented a fascinating history of what is believed to be the oldest Black Baptist church in the United States, located in Williamsburg, Virginia. The church was founded in 1776 when a free Black man began to preach in the area.
Maria Hinojosa
Journalist & Author
The founder of Futuro Media, an independent, nonprofit newsroom based in Harlem, New York City, Hinojosa works to create multimedia content that provides a critically important voice to the diversity of experience in America.
All School
EXAMINING PA’S COMPLEX HISTORY
Institutions like Andover that date back centuries are themselves living organisms of history. They have evolved through national revolutions, world wars, political divisions, and civil rights milestones. Framed by this history, Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24, has named a committee to reexamine the school’s past as it relates to the legacy of the physical campus and historical connections to slavery.
The Committee on Challenging Histories at Phillips Academy is chaired by instructor in history and social science Chris Jones and composed of faculty, staff, and students who are charged as follows: • Commence preliminary research and investigation of historically significant elements of campus. • Establish principles for considering elements of PA’s history that might call for reevaluation in light of PA’s identity and mission, and for guiding any decisions made about possible alterations to the campus. • Develop processes that would generate recommendations of actions to the Head of School and to the Board of Trustees grounded in these principles. • Propose projects for the school to pursue in the future to better educate its community of administrators, alumni,
faculty, staff, parents, and students, as well as the public, about the complicated history of this Academy. Andover also became the first high school to join the consortium on Universities Studying Slavery (USS). Founded by the University of Virginia, the USS gives PA access to the experiences of those “The committee … will in higher education who have addressed complicated histories on help our community their own campuses. Andover’s initiative aligns with more fully understand its commitment to diversity and inclusion and was part of the origour school’s past in inal charge to the Anti-Racism Task Force, which recognized that order to make the best this topic required a stand-alone initiative. decisions possible for “This important work is part of the future.” a growing movement in education,” said Kington. “It can be controversial at times, especially as questions —HEAD OF SCHOOL RAYNARD arise around matters of building S. KINGTON, MD, PHD, P’24 names, historical recognition, and other honors bestowed upon individuals whose pasts do not consistently align with a school’s values…The committee will not rewrite or erase Andover’s history or make decisions about a particular area of campus,” he continued. “Rather, it will help our community more fully understand our school’s past in order to make the best decisions possible for the future.”
the BUZZ
Congratulations to Simona Montanari ’94, who received the Outstanding Professor Award from Cal State LA. Montanari is a professor of language development with a focus on bilingual/multilingual development. Emmy Award–winning producer Dick
Wolf ’64 celebrated the 500th episode of
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit this past fall with actors Ice-T and Mariska Hargitay. Wolf is the creator and executive producer of the Law & Order franchise, which includes six police/ courtroom dramas.
QUARANTINE OBSERVATIONS
Some people baked bread, others learned how to crochet. Derek Jacoby spent the better part of the COVID-19 quarantine taking photos. A lot of photos.
The music instructor, who also conducts Andover’s symphony and chamber orchestras and handbell choir, took nearly 15,000 images of the campus from March 2020 to March 2021.
Taking almost daily photos of the desolate campus was an exercise in observation or “slow looking.” And although it began as a personal project, it grew into much more as others began commenting on—and looking forward to—his postings on Instagram and Facebook.
One of his favorite images is of a chair inside Bulfinch Hall (see below).
—ALLYSON IRISH
A full Q&A with Jacoby is available at andover.edu/magazine. See more images on Instagram @derek.jacoby
DEREK JACOBY
ISTOCK: EMBRACE, PONOMARIOVA_MARIA
Student Life During a Pandemic
Everyone has a story to tell about life during COVID-19. From the early days of uncertainty to the isolation of living in lockdown. Zoom fatigue and remote learning. Drive-by celebrations and waiting for test results.
The Phillips Academy History Association (PAHA), in collaboration with Student Advocates for Climate Awareness (SACA), has documented the impact of the pandemic on the lives of PA students in the “COVID-19 Oral History Journal.” The 97-page report (available at andoverhistoryassociation.co/read-journal) reads like an up-close and personal community diary, including student interviews, a few outside voices, and a foreword from Head of School Raynard S. Kington, MD, PhD, P’24.
“The pandemic has fundamentally changed our lives here at Andover—and even more so for the millions of families who have tragically lost loved ones to the ravaging virus,” writes William Situ ’22 in his editor’s note. “Yet there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Through these obstacles, we have seen the compassion, strength, and resilience of the Andover community. As a student of history, I felt it was my responsibility to record all the voices and opinions during this period of time for future generations.”
The journal will become a permanent part of the Academy’s digital archives.
“Nothing is more powerful than a good story,” writes Situ. “It can inspire, enliven, and unify.”
