DONOR PROFILE
Paula and Cy DeCosse In 1997 amateur musicians Paula and Cy DeCosse created a University of Minnesota School of Music conducting graduate fellowship dedicated to their friend and mentor James Sample. The DeCosse’s generosity honors the memory of their friend and it supports the education of the next generation of conductors. The DeCosses performed under the baton of James Sample in the Minneapolis Jewish Community Center Orchestra and were so impressed with him that they asked Maestro Sample to coach them personally. “He taught us lessons in musicianship, not instrument lessons. We wrote notes that we still have on our music. He was a pianist, vocal coach, composer, and organist. He just loved music and he conveyed that love to his students. He worked with Igor Stravinsky and led the premiere of Stravinsky’s choral
and orchestral setting of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ in 1941 in Los Angeles. Jim was a major figure.” The DeCosses have been in touch with recent recipients of the James Sample Fellowship, Christina Chen-Beyers and Foster Beyers, who shared with them that their lives were completely changed because of the James Sample Fellowship. The fellowship not only helped Christina and Foster to attend the University of Minnesota, but it offered Christina the opportunity to live in the U.S. and for them to marry. On the importance of dedicating funds to conducting, Cy shares, “Generating money for conductors is difficult because you can’t hear them – they don’t play anything. They are the silent ones. In an ensemble or musical group of any kind the conductor is
the one who leads the way and is probably the most important of all.” He continues, “The Minnesota Orchestra sounds better than others because of its current conductor Osmo Vänskä. He has brought great reviews in the New York Times and invitations to play in Europe simply because he is a great conductor. This is also true of the University Symphony Orchestra’s Mark Russell Smith; he brings out the music with his energy. A conductor can make or break an orchestra.” Paula agrees, “When you give money to the conducting program, you are funding musical leadership. Be as generous as you can. Especially these days when everything is being cut in schools. We have a wonderful musical tradition in conducting in Minnesota. By stepping up to support conducting, we’re creating a legacy of music leaders for generations to come.”
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Like the DeCosses, perhaps there’s a conductor who brought music alive in a positive way for you. Consider honoring that conductor through a designated gift to the conducting program at the School of Music. Funding from the endowed chair in conducting will support the three areas of choral, orchestral, and wind/ band conducting. Your support helps the School of Music shape the 21st century conductor – one who relates effectively with diverse audiences through a wide range of musical genres and styles. For more info contact Joe Sullivan at 612/624-8573 or jmsulliv@umn.edu.
2011 was a banner year for U of M School of Music conducting students. Visit our website music.umn.edu to see the stories of the conducting class of 2011 and to find out how you can support their work.
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University of Minnesota School of Music