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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 25, 1975)
onicrtelnmofil Conductor shunned diplomacy for music - . . .. o . -r.,.- .k-,. rh immunity . he At that time both Le Ptv Sarsh RneLmeh Robert Emile, new professor of music at UNL and conductor of the Lincoln . and University Symphony Orchestras, originally intended to be a diplomat. After graduation from high school in 1944, he said, he "got caught up in the spirit of the moment" and entered Yale as a major in international relations. When he graduated in 1947, many World War II veterans were applying to graduate school and competition was intense. Being only 19 at the time, he said, he was advised not to apply until he was at least 21. To fill the time he decided to study music in graduate school and spent two and one-half years as a student and graduate assistant at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y. Teaching job After this experience he said he felt it would be a crime to give it up and go to law school. He accepted a job teaching violin and theory and conducting the orchestra at Texas Wesleyan College. Music was not a completely foreign choice of career to Emile, who said he "can't remember a time when music was not a normal part of my life." He took his first violin lessons at age three from his father, his mother was a singer and organist. Emile later enrolled in one semester of law school at Arizona University while teaching music there, which, he said, "satisfied my curiosity, although I am still intrigued by the law." Otherwise he has been involved with music since 1949 both as a professional and as a teacher, he said. Emile came to UNL from San Diego where he had been conductor of the Civic Youth Orchestra, chairman of the music department and teacher at Grossmont College, and concertmaster and assistant conductor of the San Diego ground Leaving the Youth Orchestra, a training ground for professional musicians, was hardest to do, he said. "I have never been able to eliminate teaching as a part of my life because I feel an obligation to share what I have learned" he said. "Teaching is rewarding because its constant challenge requires professional growth." While visiting Lincoln last May, Emile said he was Impressed by the atmosphere of cooperation between the university and the total city population, a cooperation which he said he thought was lacking In San Diego. "I see a unity of purpose, a desire to make the arts a part m)w rf the community." he 01 UK lives ui au ui niv - - , said. "The arts should not be regarded as some thing Jo be kept in a hothouse, they should be a part of daily life. In addition, he said, several former UNL students now living in California urged him to take the job. The comments of some touring artists that Lincoln audiences were attentive and critical also influenced him, he said. Emile was accompanied by seven music students from the San Diego area, who now are enrolled in the UNL School of Music. . ' . "We saw an opportunity for challenge in Lincoln, and that is what a musician must have to grow," he said. Emile said he doesn't want to be stereotyped as only a conductor and will teach applied violin and viola, conducting, and possibly a class in orchestral literature. He said he will continue giving solo violin recitals. In this direction, he hopes to give clinics at the elementary and secondary level throughout Nebraska once he Vgets a feel for the state," he said. Noting that "we'll never know where our tastes lie unless we explore all possibilities," EmUe said he would program some twentieth- century music for the University Symphony. Admitting that audiences often dislike contemporary music, Emile said he thought the university has a responsibility to educate the general public. "If the university can't explore the new, who can?" he dsked It was decided in the spring of 1974 to hire one person to conduct both the Lincoln and University Symphonies, according to UNL School of Music Director John Moran. At that time both Leo Kopp, director of the Lincoln Symphony,' and Emanuel Wishnow, cueaoroi i University Symphony, were expected to retire at the end of the 1974-75 school year. Search committee A search committee was formed, with Robert Crosby, Gene StoU and Mrs. Phil Sidles representing the Lincoln Symphony, and Larry Lusk, Jack Snider, and Wesley Reist representing the School of Music. .. . The committee screened over 350 applications, according to Lusk and narrowed the field to two applicants, both of whom conducted both ensembles in May of this yMLusk said both ensembles were polled, as well as the music faculty and the Lincoln Symphony Board of Directors, and all these opinions were considered when the committee selected Emile. . .. Moran said "both the Lincoln and University Symphonies will be strengthened by mutual cooperation," He said that Lincoln was large enough to have a community orchestra outside the university, but unable to support a resident professional, conductor. Lincoln Symphony Director Kopp commuted to Lincoln from Chicago. "The opportunity to conduct these two ensembles made the job unusually attractive," Emile said, "because it combines the experience of working with professional orchestra and that of teaching at the university." Emile added he was "glad to be at a school with such a good football team." He was an athletic aide at Yale and a high school coach for two years, and said he still tries to run a few miles almost every day. rMwr We've just signed a Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve ensuring that those of you who are involved will receive the necessary time for training in your military assignments wiUtout loss or reduction in company opportunities. 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