LACA Artistic Director Ann McLaughlin shows off the newest exhibit in the Step Up Gallery at Mesa Public Library. The exhibit commemorates the concert association’s 75th anniversary. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
Patrons can read the history of LACA and listen to performances. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
In 1946 the Los Alamos Concert Association (LACA) held its first concert season. The Manhattan Project was in full swing and the town was a secret but none of that prevented LACA from presenting world class performers.
Seventy-five years later LACA is still on a roll. LACA has experienced a lot – from the end of the Cold War allowing access to artists from former Soviet Union to the remodeling of Duane Smith Auditorium to the pandemic – but LACA remains dedicated to bringing excellent classical music to Los Alamos.
To learn more, visit an exhibit dedicated to LACA and its history on display through June 20 in the Step Up Gallery at Mesa Public Library.
LACA Artistic Director Ann McLaughlin discussed the exhibit recently with the Los Alamos Daily Post.
Visitors can walk back in time, to the organization’s inception, through a series of decade-by-decade panels that describe LACA’s history and the artists it has presented. McLaughlin further pointed out that the panels list all the individuals who have served on the board of directors over the years. Another feature is vintage albums and CD covers of various performer. Each has a phone number to call and code to enter. If gallery patrons dial the number and enter the code on their phone, they will hear a sampling of that musician’s music.
The panels also showcase individual musicians LACA has presented, with information about their careers and significance. LACA has had an impressive roster of performers beginning in the earliest years of the organization. They include the Trapp Family Singers, guitarist Andrés Segovia, and violinist Joshua Bell. Even world-renowned cellist, Yo Yo Ma performed here thanks to Los Alamos National Laboratory physicist and LACA board member George Kwei. McLaughlin said LACA does indeed follow through on its mission to present world class artists.
“We can say that because it’s true,” she said. “The artists we present have made a name for themselves in great concert halls around the world.”
LACA has done more than just invite these musicians to perform. McLaughlin said many have hosted master classes in the public schools and even performed flash mobs in the high school lobby. The exhibit captures many stories of these artists’ visits to Los Alamos. For instance, when Leon Bates, a pianist, performed in Los Alamos in 1985, former Artistic Director Rosalie Heller invited him to her home for dinner. Bates, who is African American, showed up at her door accompanied by a Los Alamos police officer who wanted to confirm that the invitation was legitimate.
Significant events also are highlighted in the exhibit including the remodel of Duane Smith Auditorium during which one of LACA’s concerts was held at Ashley Pond.
It honored retiring Los Alamos Summer Concert founder Russ Gordon.
Additionally, LACA organized a fundraiser for the high school orchestra program. Old and damaged string instruments were re-purposed into works of art by local artists and auctioned off. A few of the pieces are on display in the exhibit.
And who could forget the pandemic?
The entire 2019-20 season needed to be cancelled, but McLaughlin said LACA is resilient. “If we can get through the pandemic, then we can get through anything,” she said.
Having dedicated volunteers is one of the key contributors to LACA’s success and longevity, McLaughlin said.
“The Board of Directors is really unpaid staff,” she said. “Everybody has a job and works hard to present the artists in a professional way.”
McLaughlin also said that Los Alamos, with its highly educated population, is a town that loves classical music.
“That’s another reason we are able to survive and thrive. And those music lovers also are very generous donors,” McLaughlin said.
LACA works to instill a love for classical music in youth. Students ages 6-18 are admitted free to LACA concerts.
“That’s how we build an audience for the future,” she said.
LACA’s concert season is returning this year. The first concert will be in September. McLaughlin said all the artists and ensembles cancelled during the pandemic, except for one, have been booked for the new season.
“It’s been really great to re-engage these artists because this has been a rough time for them,” she said; adding, “We’re excited to have a season and to continue what we’ve been doing for 75 years.”
The exhibit showcases individuals and businesses that support LACA. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com