On Wednesday, April 5, Classical IPR will celebrate the life and music of Interlochen Center for the Arts' sixth president, Edward J. Downing.
Downing died in February at the age of 87.
He first came to Interlochen's faculty in the 1970s.
In 1978, he became the director of Interlochen's National Music Camp (now Interlochen Arts Camp) and director of the Interlochen Arts Academy Band.
If you listen, you can hear 'em coming. They’re packing their trunks and suitcases and getting in cars and planes. They’re bringing their hopes and dreams with them. And it’s our job to make their dreams come true. Are you ready?What Ed Downing would tell the Interlochen Arts Camp staff every summer
Later, as the Vice President for Education for Interlochen Center for the Arts, Downing was responsible for all educational programming, directed the operations of Camp and Academy and was at the helm of the annual Interlochen Arts Festival.
He was only the third person in Interlochen's history to conduct the final Arts Camp performance of Les Préludes each summer.
What only a WYSO librarian would know was that Ed used two batons. He would place his good Mollard baton in the comb binding of the score and pulled out an inexpensive baton bought from the Scholarshop. It was already scored with a file so it was ready to break on cue. Typical for the planning he put into everything he did.John Becker, former music librarian of Interlochen's World Youth Symphony Orchestra
Downing was elected Interlochen's sixth president in 1998.
After retiring from Interlochen in 2003, he took on a new role as the executive director of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. He was supposed to serve for three months in an interim capacity and ended up staying for five years, retiring again in 2012.
Join Classical IPR throughout the day on Wednesday to hear stories about and memories of Ed Downing.
The broadcasts will include archival recordings of Interlochen student performances given under his baton as well as additional music that he greatly enjoyed.
Ed heard Vaclav Nelhybel conduct the Michigan Symphony Band in an electrifying performance of “Trittico” in Hill Auditorium. On the spot, Ed knew that this was “his” piece and that he had to conduct it. Around 1966, Ed performed “Trittico” at MSBOA Festival with the Belleville High School Band. This may have been the first time a high school band in Michigan played “Trittico.” It is dauntingly complex. Ed was attracted to Nelhybel’s other works for band and performed many of them. He even started a fictitious “Nelhybelly Button Club” at Huron High.Joe Dobos, retired band director and one of Ed Downing's student teachers in Ann Arbor
Learn more about his life and career here.
At the conclusion of my first summer as a camper in 1983, Ed shook my hand and said that he looked forward to welcoming me back the following summer. Having the door opened for you like that, with such optimism and enthusiasm, can have life-changing, enormously positive results. I remember that in my own encouragement of my students to this day.Mark Powell, Associate Professor and Director of Orchestral Studies, Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College CUNY
When programming, Ed was always looking for something different—something new. He always had an eye for unusual or clever programming ideas. Ed had an ear and a heart for programming.Joe Dobos, retired band director and one of Ed Downing's student teachers in Ann Arbor
Edward J. Downing is survived by his wife of 67 years, Joyce; daughter Jamie; son David; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandsons. He was preceded in death by his daughter Karen.
Many thanks to Eileen Ganter, Joe Dobos, David Downing and the entire Downing family for their support.
