Ogden is a center for culture

It seems obivious to me that our city, along with a devotion to mountain sports, is establishing itself with increasing rapidity, as a center of the arts and humanities, enriching our lives by sharpening our sensitivity to music, art literature, drama, foreign languages. Commendably, Ogden offers countless opportunities for athletic development. However, the so-called "Gala Celebration" which was held in commemoration of and gratitude for, the $5 million grant donated to WSU by Sid and Mary (deceased) Foulger, focused on the arts and humanities side of life.

Curiously, but understandably, Mr. Foulger himself, now 91, is an example of the well-rounded life. He loved the piano as a boy, but had equal enthusiasm for football. He left Ogden to study and to create companies with world-wide reputations for excellence. This mechanical engineer with a savy business sense worked in real estate, architecture and construction.

His concern for the humanities became ever more evident as his philanthropy increased. It can be said that persons throughout the world benefit from his commitment to the humanities. I can not resist comparing "Sid" to the M?dicis or Esterhazys of centuries past who supported so many great artists and musicians of their day.

Opportunities for cultivating both understanding and performance of the arts are offered to us in Junction City. Aesthetics refers to the responding emotionally to beauty in order to sense, to create and to motivate. Mr. Foulger?s gift will be used to foster and to deepen our receptivity to the arts, foremost music, of course, since the eponymous school of music has been established. But, the excellence we anticipate in music education will influence all aspects of the arts and humanities.

Since we have secured more and more free time due to our machines and gadgets, earlier retirement and shorter workweeks, thoughtful persons have wondered whether this leisure time would be spent productively or lead to eroding of the psyche. Then too, if the free time is devoted to the humanities, we must know the difference between art that ennobles, and cheap entertainment that merely distracts.

Weber state is providing the leadership to offer music and ennobling humanities as an elixir that nourishes the best and highest impulses in us, which was evident Friday evening, Sept. 14, as Dr. Michael Palumbo seemed to extract nearly 100 percent of the skills of his Chamber Music Orchestra Ogden. C.J. Hsieh, to my ear interpreted Ravel?s Concerto in G. Major, Allegranmento, truly with the highest skill and very allegranmento. The WSU choir, directed by Dr. Mark Henderson, rendered with mastery, Three Shakespeare Songs, acappella.

Next we were enthralled (or overwhelmed) by the musical genius of Fan-ya Lin. Surely, few better young pianists exist anywhere. What touch! What power those tiny hands can execute when needed, and what interpretation. I only wish I understood the whole complex process better--how the genius of the mind is transferred to the keyboard.

Have you ever heard five eager young piansts playing Gershwin?s Rhapsody in Blue on five Steinways (Yes, at the same time)? We did last Friday evening. The applause lasted for a long time.

Weber can keep producing the highly accomplished graduates in music and to a great extent their achievements will be due to the Foulgers.

Ogden offers its profound thanks, and Ogdenites are urged to check newspapers and WSU calendars for the many performances and activities in the humanities and arts. There is a certain kind of happiness or contentment found only in the arts.

Vander Heide is a member of the Weber State University Arts and Humanities Advisory Committee, which advises the dean of humanities.

Source: http://www.standard.net/stories/2012/09/21/ogden-center-culture

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