Hey everyone! Fifty years after graduation seem too many to compress in a few sentences. My memories of Oberlin have accompanied me all my life. I belong to the class of ’69’ but stayed one extra year to finish my M.M. in orchestra conducting which made me part or, at least, a guest of the class of ’70’. I have cherished everyone's friendship in both classes and I was looking forward to this year’s reunion (2020) for I had a grand time at the one of 2019. I know that meeting you again would seem as if we had seen each other yesterday; as if time had not elapsed, and full of the same kind of mischief accompanied by grins and fun as yesterday. I have never forgotten any of our devoted teachers from whom we got so much knowledge, and 1 have never forgotten how much fun we had sitting around at the Conservatory Lounge or at the Rathskeller in Wilder Hall at night. Anyway, these were times that are very real and that I still cherish.
Mary and I are blessed with a terrific family. Our children are Julio and Ilia, both ballet dancers. Ilia has two great sons, five and three years old and discovering life everyday. After my years at Oberlin and U. of Michigan, I moved into the professional world of orchestral conducting as I always wanted and was lucky to get nice breaks in Nashville, Columbus, Cleveland, Spain, Germany and the States such as Louisville Orchestra, KY. and Monterey Symphony, CA. I am one of those lucky ones that feel that I have never worked in my life for I have loved my work, accompanied by the great masterworks of Mozart, Beethoven or Brahms to mention a few. I like to paint, work on my model train, hike, bicycle, be with friends and converse.
Just retired as Music director of the Monterey Symphony and look forward to the future playing piano and doing a million other things that I have missed. Because of Covid 19 we won't be able to see each other at the 2020 class reunion, but let’s hope that somehow we shall meet somewhere in the future. For those that know me, you know that nothing would please me more than to keep in touch with you, my friends, and know about your life, experiences and accomplishments. Please stay well, safe and happy!
As always,
Max
Just retired as Music director of the Monterey Symphony in California and