While in grade school, I was envious of those who were often dismissed early on Fridays to attend the children's concerts at Music Hall. I was never there very often but was thrilled when my senior class at Withrow High School held its graduation ceremony at Music Hall in 1941.
It was so beautiful as the girls in their white dresses carrying bouquets of red roses marched down one aisle while the boys in dark pants and white jackets marched down the other. I remember the wonderful evening we had when the parents of one of my friends treated four of us to dinner at Beverly Hills after the ceremony. High school was an experience of great joy for me, but war was looming over us at that time, and one of the young men who was with us that evening was the first Withrow graduate to be killed in World War II.
Ann Hexamer Eddy, College Hill
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From 'Nutcracker' to Big Band era
My first memory of Music Hall was in 1947 when our class went there to hear a concert. I still remember how excited I was to be able to go to such a beautiful place. I heard the "Lincoln Portrait" for the first time. I knew then that I would make Music Hall part of my life. I remember the wonderful ballroom where, as a young, single adult I enjoyed the music of the Big Band era. My high school graduation and dance was held there in June of 1952. I introduced my children to Music Hall and classical music through the "Nutcracker." Thanks for the memories, Music Hall.
Ramona Gillock, Bridgetown
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Imagine: Concerts for only 55 cents
Does anyone remember the College Symphonic Concerts? The only series I attended was held during 1942-1943. The season consisted of four concerts each on a Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. These concerts were designed especially for students and young adults.
As I recall, Music Hall was not even filled to one-fourth capacity, but certainly not because of the prohibitive price of $2.20, including tax, for the entire season; it is difficult now to even imagine 55 cents concert.
Eugene Goossens, then conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony, took a few minutes to introduce each work. The selections he chose were beautiful, interesting and varied. The second concert even included his own symphony. There was always a young talented musician as soloist on each program. It was a wonderful experience and truly an excellent introduction to the classics.
Paul J. Lee, Mason
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Famous entertainers, and my daughter, too
I would have to put Erich Kunzel, the Pops and his guests at the top of my list. Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, who debuted his "Oratorio," Ray Charles and Cab Calloway come to mind first, also the PBS specials, previews of albums, and many more. Then there was taking my daughter to the "Nutcracker" and seeing her play for graduations, and then her own graduation from St. Ursula on the same stage that all these famous people had played.
Jim Sicking, Monfort Heights
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Memories of diplomas, roses
I have several memories of Music Hall. It was in June 1943, when my Hughes High School senior class of over 500 students held its graduation ceremony at Music Hall. I was the first girl to arrive. My father had called a taxi to take us there, but it never came. At the last minute my cousin, who lived a block away drove us downtown. I rushed to get in line and was given the last of the roses - a half-dozen instead of a dozen. I remember looking at the sea of faces from the stage. The next day the florist gave me a dozen fresh red roses and I had my picture taken at a studio.
Fifty-one years later I attended my granddaughter's graduation in that beautiful auditorium which had been recently refurbished. That was a proud moment.
Music Hall is such a magnificent place. I hope it will still be used another 125 years from now.
Ruth Poe, Colerain Township
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1928 May Festival still stands out
My maiden name is Louise Frankenstein, and I went to Chase elementary school for eight years. When I was in the fifth year and 10 years old, our music teacher chose about eight or 10 children out of our classes to sing in the May Festival at Music Hall. At the time, her father was the conductor.
My mother took me to Rinslers' photo store downtown and had my picture taken. She also made my white dress for the occasion. She and my grandmother paid $2 apiece to hear me sing.
At the end of the performance, we all received a large can of Christmas hard-tack candy in payment.
I am 84 years old, so this happening was in 1928.
The principle at Chase took us all to Music Hall about twice a week, for months, to practice.
Louise Merwin, Dent
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'And we shall be changed'
This would have been in 1974 or 1975. I was singing a performance of "Elijah" in the May Festival Chorus. We were in suspense for two reasons. Would the boy soprano's voice change before the end of the piece? And would the weather hold up?
We had reached a critical point in the performance, where amidst tumultuous music, the chorus sings, "He rode a whirlwind to heaven." Just at that moment, there was an enormous clap of thunder and a gale that howled audibly above the performance. A coup de theatre nobody could have arranged!
A second memory is from an orchestra rehearsal for the "Messiah." John Shirley-Quirk was the baritone. He was singing, "The trumpet shall sound," and James Conlon, wishing to go into the hall to check the balance, handed his baton to Keith Lockhart without missing a beat. Shirley-Quirk was looking at his music. Suddenly he looked up and saw what had happened, and gave a special emphasis to the line "and we shall be changed!" The entire chorus and orchestra broke up laughing.
Eric Hatch, Loveland
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•Music Hall moments
Tell us your favorite memory of Music Hall and we will publish and post online the best leading up to the 125th anniversary celebration in May: a marriage proposal made there, a first date, a critic's recollection of some opera great, the threat from the 1937 flood, a boxing match, a UC basketball game in the 1940s, a Janis Joplin concert, some happy mix-up - any funny or personal or unforgettable anecdote about this historic hall that belongs to all of us. Send to: Readers' Views, Enquirer Editorial Page, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202; fax 513-768-8610; e-mail letters@enquirer.com
