The Oakland Symphony will continue to perform, thanks to the generosity of several key players from the Clarkston area.
The Liberty Golf and Banquet Center took on a festive atmosphere from the days of yore for the Second Annual Medieval Feast Fundraiser on Oct. 29. With the help of performers from the Michigan Renaissance Festival ? and costumes worn by banquet-goers themselves ? it was a night of revelry to benefit the orchestra.
Lou and Patience Beer came in costume, although they weren’t quite sure where they fit in the medieval class structure.
‘I feel like the person who holds the horse,? said Patience Beer, who heads up adult services at the Independence Township Library.
‘You’re only limited by your imagination,? said Lou Beer, who serves as chairman of the symphony’s volunteer board.
In talking about his work with the orchestra, Beer recalled a previous conversation: ‘They asked me what instrument I played, and I said, ‘Checkbook.??
While chuckling about that line, Lou Beer is serious about the work of the board in promoting awareness and raising funds.
‘We have to work hard to build a volunteer base,? he said. ‘Like any symphony, it’s not possible to support what we do strictly through ticket receipts.?
Patience Beer believes the orchestra is a benefit to the community, especially with regular performances at Clarkston High School. ‘It’s a wonderful opportunity to hear quality, live classical music at an affordable price.?
Individuals paid at least $100 to attend the dinner, which featured soup, cornish hens, seasonal vegetables, garnished potatoes and plowman’s bread ? all to be eaten by hand. (Servers stood ready with steamed napkins, available to guests for $1 each.)
Frank Rivers, a lifelong patron of the arts, has lived in Clarkston for 20 years and Davisburg for 18 years before that. He is also a loyal supporter of the Oakland Symphony.
‘I’ve been part of the arts. I’m coming back to it, and I’d like to see it grow out here,? he said.
A member of the Clarkston Rotary Club, Rivers has worked projects such as the annual Goodfellows newspaper sale, so he is familiar with community service.
He also enjoys festive events, and appreciated the medieval theme.
‘This brings some of the old back to the future,? he said.
Mary Lou Schell agreed. Talking about her symphony volunteer work over the past two years, she was interrupted by an impromptu performance by Renaissance Festival cast members at an adjoining table.
‘Isn’t in fun?? was her reaction to the drama, which included demonstrations of fencing and other skills (often accompanied by a combination of chivalry and humor).
Schell’s costume helped her fit right in at the event, although she did not try to put herself in the upper class.
‘I’m not elegant like these ladies,? she said with a laugh. ‘I’m a commoner.?
Schell said orchestra volunteers stuff envelopes, take tickets at concerts, distribute programs and perform a variety of other tasks to make concerts successful.
‘We just do whatever needs to be done,? she said.
Dinner organizers also coordinated a silent auction, with numerous items donated by Clarkston-area businesses. Board President Tim Elliott estimated $2,000 in revenue from the event.
Dick and Ann Irwin have been symphony boosters for years. He remembers attending the Berlin Symphony during World War II. A former piano and trumpet player, he now prefers listening to his wife, a piano student at the Clarkston Conservatory.
As a season ticket holder for the Oakland Symphony, Dick Irwin said, ‘I was very disturbed when they cut the season down.?
While Clarkston may have a better reputation, ‘As a nation, and as an area, we don’t have much appreciation [for fine arts].?
Dave Plajstek is a relatively new Clarkston resident, but it didn’t take him long to become a symphony supporter. Recruited by Elliott, Plajstek currently serves as treasurer.
‘It’s quite costly to put on a performance, and our performances are top notch,? he said. ‘No one has ever walked out of there dissatisfied.?
A former violinist with the orchestra, Kathy Frantz is now a board member and one of the organizers of the medieval fund-raiser. She did many of the decorations and, along with her husband Doug, attended in costume.
Her motivation for joining the board came from personal experience.
‘I was very disappointed with the turnout at the concerts,? Frantz said. ‘It is such a highly talented group of people. I cannot believe people don’t go to hear them.?
The locals at the event were unanimous in their desire for more Clarkston residents to donate either time or money to the orchestra. Those desiring more information may visit www.oaklandsymphony.org on the Internet, or call Oakland University’s Department of Music, Dance and Theater at (248) 370-2030.