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Nick Pullia, Ravinia Festival's Director of Finance told the club about Ravinia TV which will debut this Friday night at 7 p.m on Ravinia's YouTube channel and their Facebook page. The show will be a half hour variety show featuring artists like the band Chicago and Ramsey Lewis as well as Jerry Field and how he creates violins to featuring the Highland Park community. Nick then introduced Welz Kauffman, Both Nick and Welz began at Ravinia about the same time, twenty years ago. Welz will be moving onto other endeavors later this year. Before coming to Ravinia, Welz has worked with the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics, among many other music organizations. He admits he only stayed at most organizations five years, but found the challenges and opportunities to promote and expand Ravinia Festival's reach, his greatest career and personal accomplishments. He finished his first season September 10, 2001 and went on vacation the next day only to be told of the attack on the Twin Towers. Now, he leaves Ravinia in the midst of a pandemic, having to cancel the entire season. Music is meant to bring people together and you can't do that while social distancing. However, Welz's mark on Ravinia is quite evident. Over the two decades, with the support of the community and the board, he has made many improvements in both the programs and the physical structures like the bathrooms and restaurants. Issues of flooding of the grounds and the parking lots and the live railroad track were addressed. He broadened the programming from classical and the occasional jazz concerts to acts like Mary J. Blige, Bob Dylan and Lady Gaga with Tony Bennett, just to make a few. He credits Rotary's scholarships for giving him the opportunity to study music. He leaves knowing that Ravinia is in better shape than when he arrived. His plans for the future are uncertain at this time. |
