Karr Reflections

Gary Karr

Gary Karr is one of the most popular EMF guest artists of all time. He appeared with the EPO, chamber players, student orchestras, and taught master classes during eight seasons from 1974-1986. Mr. Karr debuted with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic in 1962, followed by 40 years of concert performances. He has received several national teaching awards, and though Mr. Karr retired from the concert stage in 2001, he conducts a bassist camp in Victoria, BC, each July.

Memories of EMF

EMF was my annual “fix.” I needed that shot in the arm that I got from the enthusiastic response from the kids. Early in my career I became so disenchanted with my mostly grey-haired audiences that I decided to put my concert work on hold for a couple of years in order to teach general music in the public schools. I wanted to find out why so few young people were in evidence at classical concerts. So, because of my interest and involvement in working with young people, I connected easily with the extraordinary philosophy of Shelly Morgenstern. He was one of the few visionaries I have known during my life in music, and what he accomplished with EMF resulted in the most exciting summer program in North America. I shall never forget the balcony filled with the students who, during the concerts, succeeded in arousing the passions of even the most staid older enthusiasts on the main floor. Their youthful exuberance was generated by a genuine love and appreciation for classical music and by their understanding of the devotion and hard work that goes into preparing a high standard of performance. The kind of respect that the students held for the accomplishments of their teachers and colleagues was the result of the EMF environment as envisioned and implemented by Shelly. In this respect, Shelly left a legacy in which the reflections of his vision will continue to live in the hearts and minds of all those lucky enough to have witnessed the uniqueness of the Eastern Music Festival.

During one of my appearances with the EMF orchestra, I performed the Moses Fantasy by Paganini who wrote the piece to be played on one string. Years before, when I performed this music on the “Bell Telephone Hour,” Florence Henderson introduced the piece by saying, “…it’s all done on the G-string!” I asked Shelly if he thought I should relate this humorous story to the EMF audience. “Sure,” he replied, “the main floor will get the joke but the kids won’t know what’s funny about a G-string!” It backfired. The roars of laughter from the balcony were ear splitting!