For any community, large or small, to become a place with a high quality of life -- a place where we are thrilled to make our homes, a place where we feel privileged to raise our children -- that community must be more than a location near our work.
The founders of Oak Ridge certainly understood this idea, and because of their vision, those of us who came later arrived to find a small town flourishing in many ways that add a special dimension to living here.
So much a part of our tradition has been this added dimension that we forget that quality of life for a community -- like freedom and education and prosperity and other valued things -- doesn't just happen. To bring it about you have to be blessed with people like Dorothy "Dot" and Meyer "Mike" Silverman.
It has been in the area of civic music where the Silvermans perhaps have shone brightest. They have been an active part of Oak Ridge musical life for about as long as Oak Ridge has had life. After marrying on Sept. 1, 1940 (now into their 61st year together!), they came to Oak Ridge in December of 1943.
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Mike and Dot Silverman, in a recent photograph.
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Mike had a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering and a master of science degree in chemistry, and was later to earn his doctorate in physical chemistry. Dot had a bachelor of arts degree in foreign languages, emphasizing French and Spanish.
They raised their daughter in this scientific post-war society, but a society, as it were, that was set to music! From the beginning, there was a community band, a smaller wind ensemble, and a "symphonette."
Both Silvermans were accomplished violinists, Dot, in fact, having played in the national high school symphony orchestra. (Their daughter Bobbie became a professional cellist.)
They speak of the band director, DeForest Beers, and the wind ensemble leader, John Van Wazer, in the same breath with Waldo Cohn, the founder of the symphony. They admiringly recall Jacinta Howard. She was the first concertmaster of the orchestra and a major part of that core group that established the instrumental music tradition that we will enjoy.
Jacinta continues to be active in the Oak Ridge Symphony, as is Mike Silverman. During those same early years Alice Lyman arrived and, in addition to becoming a symphony member, helped establish a major emphasis in musical education that persists to this day in Oak Ridge.
The original Oak Ridge Symphonette -- brainchild of and conducted by Waldo Cohn -- had its first concert on June 16, 1944. The Oak Ridge Symphony -- as it was named after a swelling of its ranks -- had its first public performances on Nov. 3 and 4, 1944. Mike and Dot played on both occasions. They have copies of the original programs and would welcome a chat with anyone who wants to get a sense of those wartime days.
All the players in the Oak Ridge Symphony, all the way up to the 1970s, were volunteers. During the war years and shortly thereafter, many highly educated, musically trained scientists, engineers, technologists, and the like congregated on their own time to make wonderful music.
When asked about the quality of those early performances, Mike called them "good, though perhaps not quite up to the level of today's orchestra."
There were, in fact 50 or 60 musicians assembled for a typical concert during the '40s, '50s and '60s. In 1947 the Knoxville Symphony was reorganized -- having been disbanded during the war -- and for several years was combined with the Oak Ridge Symphony. There was one concert in Oak Ridge, the next night in Knoxville.
Beginning with Waldo Cohn, who led from 1944 to 1954, the symphony has had nine conductors, not counting Serge Fournier who has just taken the podium.
Dot and Mike had comments about each of the conductors: Waldo, primarily a player, was nonetheless distinguished by his clear beat. Tony Raisis (1955-59) was a violinist who taught at Oak Ridge High; during his time here the Chamber Music Series began.
Eugene Cohen (1960-61) was trumpet player and music teacher. Frank Choset (1962-68) was a fine opera director, and led both the symphony and the chorus. Richard Cormier (1969-70) was a fill-in who also conducted the Chattanooga Symphony at the time. Edward Zambara (1971-74) was also an opera enthusiast, and a successful voice teacher at the University of Tennessee. Don Neuen (1975-79) was a man of great talent and strong opinions. Robert Lyall (1980-90) was the Silvermans' choice as the finest conductor they played for. John Welsh (1991-2000) had high ambition for the orchestra, maintaining the excellence of the Lyall era, but for the first time moved the orchestra to more paid than avocational players.
Speaking of paid players, here's an interesting anecdote, and one of special interest to the long-suffering brass players. The very first paid musicians in the Oak Ridge Symphony were in fact -- hold your hats -- hired by Edward Zambara in the early '70s, and they played Š trombones! There must be some kind of justice to that.
Dot was part of the group that started the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association organized on Aug. 21, 1947.
ORCMA, including both the chorus and orchestra under its umbrella, was begun to fill the organizational and financial gap left when the government cut back its support of the arts after the war. Dot describes Oak Ridgers of the time as "vibrant, full of energy, working hard!"
We all like to think those are descriptors of our times, too. But as we enter the 21st century, the challenges to maintaining a strong civic music program in our town are different from those when ORCMA was born, and require a specific solution for our times.
The Silvermans offer some advice for our musical future. Both strongly support the need for a performing arts center here in Oak Ridge. The possibility that the old Grove Theater might be renovated for such a purpose is exciting to them. As Mike put it: "If you build it, they will come."
Dot pointed out that music other than classical -- such as folk, rock, jazz, and the like -- could also be presented in such a facility, along with dance, theater, and other artistic events.
Dot, who founded our local Klezmer band in 1981, couldn't say enough about how important musical variety is, and how critical it is to develop a new younger generation of patrons of the arts.
Mike and Dot both expressed their hope and support for Serge Fournier's success in nurturing of avocational players for the orchestra. The more the symphony becomes a "community commitment" rather than a "pick up orchestra," the stronger its future will be.
Dot and Mike Silverman have given many years of service to our town and its musical heritage, but they are neither resting on their laurels. Mike, still active as a Senior Olympics-level tennis player, continues in the symphony and uses his experience to fill various ORCMA needs.
Dot, honored in 1993 as one of Oak Ridge's 10 "Women of Impact," remains a stalwart of the ORCMA Guild, a past president and recently serving as program chairman.
From this writer's experience, they are wonderful hosts, full of ideas, and have a grand scope of musical knowledge. Our community is honored to have them among its founding citizens.
Mike Cates is a publicist for the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association.
