Salt Lake businessman and longtime arts patron Obert C. Tanner has been named the recipient of the first Maurice Abravanel Award, presented by the Utah Symphony.
The presentation will take place at the inaugural luncheon April 17 of the symphony's new Corporate Council, designed to foster and recognize the business community's support of the orchestra. Symphony board chairman Deedee Corradini said Tanner was chosen because of his outstanding leadership and support of the orchestra.In 1966 Tanner was a guiding force in establishing a $2-million endowment fund through a Ford Foundation grant. As chairman of the Utah American Bicentennial Commission, he spearheaded the construction of Symphony Hall, completed in 1979, and supplied the gold leaf in the foyer and the fountain in the plaza.
Last year Tanner was honored additionally when he received the National Medal of Arts from President and Mrs. Reagan.
"An enthusiastic and strong base of corporate support has helped build the Utah Symphony to an orchestra of international prominence," said Ken Knight, vice chairman of Sinclair Oil and chairman of the Corporate Council. "In fact almost one-half of the gift income to the orchestra this year will be from corporate donors."
-BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY trombonist Bryce Mecham has been named the national winner in the collegiate brass auditions of the Music Teachers National Association at the association's annual convention, just concluded this week in Wichita, Kan.
Mecham, who at age 22 soloed last November with the Utah Symphony on its annual "Salute to Youth" concert, was given $2,000 and the chance to perform at the convention.
Other Utahns who emerged with distinction from the convention included Salt Lake flutist Angela Parkinson, 16, and BYU bassoonist Christian B. Smith, 24, who also soloed with the symphony last November. They each received honorable mention in their categories and an award of $100.