Winners
Outstanding Music Alumnus for 2012: Donald Kirkpatrick ‘81
What does it mean to be a successful musician? It could be performing on stage in the world’s greatest concert halls or inspiring listeners in one’s own backyard. It might include winning a major competition or helping to secure funding to start a Children’s’ Concert Series with a local orchestra. It may show through a glowing review in the New York Times or at a moment when a listener is moved to tears with a performance in a remote concert hall. A successful life in music can look many different ways.
Donald Kirkpatrick is one of those successful musicians. He has given himself tirelessly to music in his community as a performer, educator, and advocate. Currently he serves as the Concertmaster of the Southwest Washington Symphony Orchestra in Longview, Washington, a position he has held for a decade in an ensemble for which he serves on its Board of Trustees. He founded the Chamber Music Society of Southwest Washington and serves as a Parent-Volunteer Coach for the Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia. He is a regular performer on the Celebration Concert Series at the St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Longview. He has helped secure grant funding to start the Children’s Concert Series by the Southwest Washington Symphony and has worked closely with the superintendent in Longview to keep arts in the schools. All of these activities he does above and beyond his practice as a physician specializing in Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine at St. John’s Medical Center in Longview.
Don Kirkpatrick’s work has contributed to keeping the Southwest Washington Symphony Orchestra thriving. His advocacy has helped the arts remain a priority in his community’s schools. He continues to perform as actively as many professional performing musicians. His love of music, passionate engagement in supporting the arts, and service to others is an inspiring model for us all.
Outstanding Music Alumna for 2011: Judith Arron ‘64
How do you get to Carnegie Hall?
Practice, practice, practice.
When it comes to Judith Arron, this well-known adage needs revision: “Practice, vision, perseverance.” Arron graduated from Puget Sound in 1964 with a performance degree in cello and piano. During her studies she assisted Professor Eduard Seferian, conductor of Tacoma’s then town-and-gown symphony orchestra, taking on managerial duties as his assistant. That experience, combined with her music degree, led to a career of far-reaching influence.
After graduation Arron worked as the manager of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO). During her 15 years at CSO she created an outreach program for schoolchildren that became widely admired in orchestra circles around the country. In 1986 she became the executive and artistic director of Carnegie Hall, a position she held until 1998. There she presided over some of the most momentous years of the hall’s history. She oversaw an exhaustive $60 million renovation, the refurbishment of Weill Recital Hall into a vibrant performance space, and the season-long centennial celebration of 1990–91. Under Arron Carnegie Hall promoted and extended educational programs with workshops overseen by musicians such as conductor Robert Shaw and composer/conductor Pierre Boulez. Additionally she helped lead an endowment campaign in 1995 that continues to raise millions of dollars for the hall.
Judith Arron passed away in 1998. An inspiration to many, she is remembered as influential and hardworking, as someone who practiced her craft brilliantly with vision and perseverance.
Outstanding Music Alumnus for 2010: Leonard Raver ‘51
A native of Wenatchee, Wash., organist Leonard Raver grew up in Tacoma, attended Stadium High School, and graduated from Puget Sound in 1951, majoring in music and minoring in French. His journeys took him many places after finishing his Bachelor of Arts degree, including travels and study as a Fulbright Scholar. He eventually settled in New York City, where he became organist for the New York Philharmonic in the 1970s. Over the next three decades, Raver taught at numerous colleges and conservatories, including Yale University, Pennsylvania State University, and University of Hartford. Most notably he was a member of the faculty at The Julliard School from 1975 to 1990.
Along with his teaching career at Juilliard and membership in the New York Philharmonic, Raver was a frequent recitalist and a champion of contemporary music. He built a large repertory of modern American works in a variety of styles and worked hard to win audiences for them. In the 1970s and 1980s he commissioned and premiered dozens of important new works for the organ, and he established a series of “Organizm” concerts, which challenged audiences to confront and appreciate contemporary music. His legacy can be heard in recordings released by Sony, Columbia, Other Minds, New World, and CRI. He passed away in 1992.
From modest beginnings playing organ at local churches in Tacoma, to becoming a leading organist in one of the music capitals of the world, Leonard Raver enjoyed a successful career worthy of the recognition it earned. We are proud to honor him as a graduate from Puget Sound.
