Symphony Concert Held

Symphony Concert Held

At Avon Mills;

By Mary Elizabeth Hit*

The first of the serifes of concerts at Avon Mills on Sunday, August 12, was a great success, despite inclement weather. The clouds gathered and the rain came down, but it dampened not the enthusiasm of the large audience as H sat partially protected from the rain drops by umbrellas and coats.

The exquisite rendition of Shubert’s Unfinished Symphony by the orchestra under the leadership of William Haaker, a truly great musician, proved our Sta^e Orchestra one of our great orchestras.

The dual role of soloist and: leader in Hungarian Fantasie by Franz Liszt, was a feat that proved Mr. Haaker entirely worthy of his famous music-master Jose ilturbi. .. , -

In honor of the visiting musicians, the ladies of the Blue (Ridge Music Festival Association, gave a delicious buffet luncheon before the concert, at ‘'Harris Hollow FarmV home of Mrs. Elizabeth DeBergh. „ . - ‘

The old mill is an ideal setting for such as this, with the forest) trees at its back and forming an amphitheatre for the audience on .the banks of a mountain stream.

We are told that in the long ago Lord Howard’s manor house - stood where now stands “Avon Hall’’, borne of the Baggarlys and the mill was then called Avon Mills. - The name had its origin from Lord.Howard’s English home, the Manor of Avondale, on thei Avon.

Of all the Old Dominion’s coun-t ties, beautiful Rappahannock is most highly favored in that it has been chosen as the summer home of this music colony.

Historically, Massachusetts is our sister state, while our traditions are the most charming of all, but musically we are as yet young.

So, let each and every one of us work as we can to make this beautiful thing that has come to its a glorious success that will send our fame afar.

w —t/—~-.;v

'Franklin Hough, Jr., To

Preach On August 26 ' •