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ALASKA FESTIVAL OF MUSIC
1960
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
Purpose: To bring to Alaska each year "the
priceless privilege of hearing and performing in great orchestral, choral
and choral-orchestral music"; to give all music lovers "a profound insight
into its spirit and structure" through concerts, recitals, lectures and
public and private instruction.
Organization: Anchorage Festival of Music
organized 1956, sponsored by Anchorage Community College (part of
University of Alaska) and Community Chorus. Association succeeded by Alaska
Festival of Music, Inc., non-profit corporation chartered 1960; administered
by Board of Advisors. In 1986, merged with Basically Bach Festival, founded
in 1978 by Elvera Voth, and original Anchorage Festival of Music name
restored.
Site, Dates, Attendance: Concerts and recitals
held in Community College and in Sydney Laurence Auditorium, Anchorage, in
June each year; 1960 attendance over 7,000.
Comment: In 1956, Mrs. Mary Hale, then Director
Anchorage Community Chorus, persuaded Robert Shaw (Associate Conductor,
Cleveland Orchestra and Director, Robert Shaw Chorale) and Julius Hereford
(noted instructor and pianist) to come to Anchorage to work with group of
distinguished guest artists and local musicians in producing first Festival
of Music. Result was "musical triumph for Alaska" with interest and scope
increasing in succeeding years.
Visiting artists perform both as soloists and teachers
of 140 singers in Community Chorus and of 40 odd members of Anchorage
Symphony; supplemented by seminars, TV lectures, etc.
Medals: Official Medals sponsored by Festival to
commemorate fifth anniversary; designed by Paul Hoblit; struck by Herff
Jones, Inc., Indianapolis. Issue limited to 300 sterling Silver and 2,500
Bronze (plus 5,000 Bronze with loops); sold for $10 and $5 respectively;
dies destroyed December 1960, per sponsor's specific advices.
 
Photos courtesy of John Dean
Obv. State Seal within center circle; outside,
around The Seal of the State of Alaska; two small animals at l. edge;
small fish at r. edge.
Rev. In center, behind and above mountains, are
hands of orchestra conductor holding baton; above, around Alaska Festival
of Music; below mountains 1960 (This is Festival Seal).
HK-575 Silver, on edge Herff Jones and
Sterling. 38mm.
HK-576 Bronze, on edge H J Co.
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