Stephens Memories

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Posted October 2007:

"I was a member of the combined Oratorio and Iowa State Singers Chorus that performed with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra during the opening week of C. Y. Stevens Auditorium.  Any anxiety about performing with this highly renowned orchestra was quickly dashed.  They were friendly to us and most of them dressed down for the rehearsals just like we did.  One particular humorous moment was during a rehearsal when a trombone player in the rear row, who spent a considerable amount of time turned in his chair talking with the girls in the front row of the chorus, was asked several times to turn around.  

Another memory of that week is the softball games with members of the orchestra.  There were activities planned that the orchestra members could do during their free time.  Mr. Ozawa liked to
play softball.  During one of the games, he strained his back.  In the photograph of the orchestra
with the ISU Chorus, a stool sits on the podium behind Mr. Ozawa.  He could sit down and conduct
if his back bothered him too much.  I remember him conducting a complete rehearsal while sitting.  There were some concerns that the opening of C. Y. Stevens Auditorium would be clouded because Mr. Ozawa was injured while at Iowa State.  But that never happened." — Rod Cook, Newark, Ohio

"My mother and her friend took me to Stephen’s Opening Night in 1969. It’s a memory that ages well with time:
world-renowned conductor Seiji Ozawa and the New York Philharmonic on their first trip outside New York City—Wow! It was the first of many unforgettable nights at Stephens, and I am reminded of it every time I take my family to an event there. Thanks for the opportunity to tell of a mother’s love, and the way she introduced her high school son, a naïve farm kid, to the arts."
—Jim Miller, Ames

"Stephens opened the year I was a senior at ISU. I remember al the excitement when the New York Philharmonic spent a week in Ames. It was such a thrill to attend a performance of one of America’s greatest orchestras in the brand new concert hall on campus. I felt so proud to be an ISU student. I also saw Henry Mancini, one of my favorite composers, that same year, and I still remember the standing ovation he received after playing ‘Moon River.’ Now, my husband and I are fortunate to attend some of the ‘Season at Stephens’ events."
—Elizabeth Wych, Johnston

"When the New York Philharmonic performed at Stephens in 1969, I was working at Gateway Center, where the musicians stayed. They were gracious, lovely people, and the concert itself
was extra-special to Gateway employees who attended, because we knew that these talented musicians were also wonderful people.”
—Elizabeth Orcutt-Kroeger, Ames

"In the early 1970s, my wife, Judy, and I attended a Neil Diamond concert
at Stephens. Each side of the stage was stacked with speakers, and
when the concert began, we were almost overwhelmed with the sound—Diamond’s voice and accompaniment were better than on any recording. The quality of that performance, substantially enhanced by the magnificent venue, made this an unforgettable experience. We don’t believe there is a comparable performing arts theater in Iowa
and most surrounding states."
—Tom McDonald, Boone

"In 1971, my roommate and I had tickets for a B.J. Thomas concert at C.Y. Stephens. When we arrived, we were told that Thomas couldn’t make it and they were flying in a replacement from Minneapolis. Some people left, but my roommate had heard of the new young singer, so we stayed. Before too long, John Denver walked out onto the stage with one straight-backed chair and a microphone. He had two guitars, a six-string and a 12-string, and proceeded to give a fantastic concert."
—Gayle Robertson, Moore’s Hill, IN

"When we saw John Denver was coming to Stephens, we decided we were too busy to order
tickets - we’d go next time he came. The night of the concert, we suddenly changed our minds
and purchased tickets at the door. The concert was great - and I’m so glad I went. There was to be no next time. Denver died all too young in a tragic plane crash, but I will always remember that wonderful evening."
—Kay Nelson, Ames

"Our biggest memory is seeing the Chieftans in 1998. We had loge seats, and where we were sitting made us feel as if we were almost touching them the same way their music touched us that night. The dancers were magical. We were also fortunate enough to see Derek Bell play his harp, before he passed away in 2002."
—Dave and Lynette Edsall, Ames

"Several memorable events have helped make our holidays special: the Christmas tree exhibit, the Nutcracker Ballet, and the Lorie Line concerts. One year as Lorie was taking requests from the audience, my husband called out “Who Let the Dogs Out.” A good sport, she rose to the challenge and played a few notes of the song."
—Karen Fiehler, Ames

"When Jesus Christ Superstar was playing at Stephens and Ted Neeley was playing the lead role of Christ, the audience was swept up into another time. I have never heard singing like that before in my life. After the show, Neeley came out and met with a small crowd of us on the steps at the exit, and spent over an hour talking with us and answering all our questions."
—William Britton, Ames

"The Joshua Bell concert was extra-special for one young fan and budding violinist, 8-year-old Matthew, who traveled more than four hours from his home in Wisconsin to hear the artist. Family friend Doris Snyers shares the story:
            Matthew was spellbound throughout the concert, and eagerly selected a CD and stood in line to have it signed by Joshua Bell, who willingly answered his questions and talked to him with respect. He came home so excited to go to orchestra camp this summer. I will always remember and be grateful for Matthew’s experience at Stephens."
—Doris Snyers, Ames

"I knew the acoustics in Stephens were phenomenal . . . but I didn’t fully appreciate them until I heard violinist Joshua Bell this past spring. There was no amplification, yet every note he played was resonant and incredibly beautiful. It sounded as if we were on stage with him! It was the perfect combination of artist and venue, and I am so glad I was
there to be a part of it."
—Tamara Rood, Des Moines

"Since I returned to Iowa in 2005, my mother and I have attended so many wonderful events at Stephens: Anne Murray, Ricky Skaggs, Harry Connick, Jr., Lori Line, the musical AIDA, the play Prisoner of Second Avenue, and the list goes on and on! We are both so grateful that there is such a wonderful selection of events at Stephens!"
—David Doughan, Ames

"My friends and I attended the Rick Springfield concert. Each of us grew up in the ‘80s, so we were very excited about being there. During the concert, he stepped off of the stage and into the crowd, walking on the arms of the chairs. When he got back to our group, we each got to touch him! I reached out and he grabbed my hand. So, thanks to Stephens, I can honestly say that I’ve held hands with Rick Springfield."
—Susan Hobart, Huxley

"My fondest memory from Stephens is the Rick Springfield concert. Having grown up in the ‘80s, I was a huge fan. He put on a great show and delighted the audience when he walked into the crowd. At one point, he was not more than a foot in front of me. It was great! I was pregnant at the time. My son loves music and frequently “dances” to Rick Springfield. I can’t help but think that the concert
had something to do with it."
—Sarah Holmes, Ames

"Two friends and I went to the Chris Tomlin show in October 2006. We arrived early to pick up our tickets in the first row of the highest balcony. As we were walking away, the woman at the ticket counter called us back—she had 3 tickets available for the 19th row if we wanted them! Thanks to her, we transferred our tickets and had great seats for one of the best concerts I have ever been to."
—Dan Jones, Ames

" I have witnessed some great performances at Stephens during my 15 years in Ames. It’s also where my college graduations took place, so I will always remember the anticipation behind the scenes and the grandeur when we finally got to cross the stage. Dr. Carlie Tarakov, last springs commencement speaker, challenged us to change the world in a speech I won’t soon forget."
—Melanie Smith, Ames

" I’ll never forget the first time we brought our then 6-year-old grandson to a children’s show at Stephens, his first time at a real theater. His eyes were as big as dinner plates! He loved the black light and puppets, and the Celebrity Café before the show. He’s now a very artistic 11-year-old - this opened a whole new world for him."
—Susan Lawyer, Marshalltown

"I love classical music. It helps me see the beauty of the world, understand myself and other people, feel the link between past, present and future. One of my favorite composers is Antonio Vivaldi. I fell in love with his music many years ago after listening to a record performed by Moscow Virtuosi with Vladimir Spivakov as conductor and music director. When Vladimir Spivakov came to Ames in February 2001 with the Russian National Orchestra, I couldn’t believe it was true. I never even dreamed of seeing this remarkable musician. But it happened—thanks to Seasons at Stephens."
—Iryna Auferonak, Ames

"I remember the awe I felt the first time I stood alone on the Stephens stage, looking at all those seats. Knowing I had the privilege of performing in that full house for Stars Over VEISHEA was so exciting—30 years later, I remember it vividly. In 1986 we had a huge reunion that featured the ISU Marching Band marching through Stephens!"
—Martha Forsyth Haut of Joplin, Missouri, who starred as Mame in Stars Over VEISHEA in 1973
and ended up marrying her director, Jon Haut, in 1979.