| | Published May 10th, 2023
| Lafayette Rotary Club's Concert at the Res to honor Dick Holt
| | | By Jennifer Wake | | |
Dick Holt, who came up with the idea of the Concert at the Res and helped host the first concert in 1996, will be the honoree of this year's event. Holt, who passed away in 2022, was a musician himself, part of the Generations in Jazz board, and a past president of the Lafayette Rotary Club. He was known for his vision and energy, as well as his big heart. He carefully listened to what the schools needed, finding not only funds but instruments like oboes and bass clarinets for them.
"He often broke into his military style talk and called the time out in military time as he planned our days' work.? He was our leader!" explains Mo Levich, Rotarian and co-leader of the Big Band of Rossmoor. "He was the embodiment of the motto of Rotary, `Service above Self,'" added?Rotary Foundation Director Matt Pease. "He made Concert at the Res open?for all concerned."
The Lafayette Rotary Club will be hosting the 28th annual Concert at the Res from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 20 at the Lafayette Reservoir Stage. The performers include the Big Band of Rossmoor, the Acalanes High School Symphonic Band, and the Stanley Middle School Symphonic Band with guests from Oakland's Edna Brewer Middle School and Roosevelt Middle School. The concert is free for anyone who wants to attend. Raffle tickets will be for sale to raise money for music programs of the performing schools, and proceeds from food and drink will also go to the cause.
"Dick is sorely missed as the quarterback of our concert team," said Lafayette Rotary Membership Director Jay Lifson. "This one is for him and we will be placing a special plaque on the stage to honor his service."
The concert will be featuring Holt's favorite musician, George Gershwin. The Big Band of Rossmoor, a band comprised of eighth-graders to octogenarians, will be performing Gershwin's 1926 song, "Someone to Watch Over Me" and a Gershwin Medley, as well as classics from other composers such as Glenn Miller's "In the Mood." The combined Stanley, Edna Brewer, and Roosevelt band will perform Gershwin's "An American in Paris," "Summertime," and "I Got Rhythm," as well as songs from Pharrell Williams and Harry Mancini.
Much of the joy and anticipation of the Concert at the Res for the Big Band members and students comes not only from performing outdoors in spring but also from the intergenerational friendships and mentoring that occur. "We refer to it as Mentoring 360," said Levich. "All generations can listen to each other and using music learn the culture. The younger musicians mentor us all the time." Other highlights of the year come from the Rotary's comradery in running the concert, bemused walkers realizing that their afternoon hike unexpectedly includes live music, and the beloved Lafayette Rotary barbecue hot dogs.
Raffle tickets are $20 each, and the prizes such as a foodie gift basket including restaurant and Diablo Foods gift cards, a 3-day test drive of a BMW 4 series convertible, a day sail with lunch on Angel Island, and a 10-person cruise of Oakland Estuary on an electric boat. The music programs at the schools will receive all of the money raised from ticket sales. Food and drinks will be for sale. There will be canopies and chairs available, but bringing a blanket or lawn chairs is recommended. There is metered parking in the Reservoir parking lot and $7 parking for the whole day. The stage is a short walk from the parking lot, and golf carts are available for transportation as well. The event will take place rain or shine.
To find out more about the Concert at the Res, go to www.rotarylafayette.org/event-directory. To buy raffle tickets, go to www.rotarylafayette.org/product/raffle-tickets/. To donate money to support the music programs directly, go to www.e.givesmart.com/events/uZh/. |
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA