Yesterday afternoon the Portland Symphony performed under the direction of Norman Leyden who initiated the Oregon Symphony's Pops series in 1970. Mr. Leyden arranged the musical scores and he conducted the orchestra for many years. Now, at age 91, he still plays his clarinet for local functions and he conducted the orchestra for yesterday's performance.
The concert featured many of the most popular show tune songs of the 1930s and '40s and it was a wonderful experience. My seat was only four rows from the stage which made the performance even more enjoyable. I think that every one's favorite was "Stardust".
Lenis wrote to tell me that at Sunday's Memorial Day service at the Lodi First United Methodist Church they honored the people who had died during the past year and when Gary's name was read, they sounded a soft bell and added a dark red flower to a floral bouquet. Gary died on Memorial Day weekend so this was a meaningful tribute to his memory.
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