For today’s blog post, our Patron Relations Manager, Kelsey Norton, conducted a short interview with current Board President, Dorothy Horns.
- How long have you been involved with Schubert Club, and how did you make the decision to accept becoming board president?
My husband and I have been subscribers since we returned to Minnesota in the early 1980s. Bruce Carlson asked me to be on the Board; I started my Board service in 2006. I love that this is a board of music lovers who come from all walks of life and who actively participate in the Board. I was delighted to be asked to lead such a great group of people who support such a fantastic organization. And, as Board president I get to work even more closely with the wonderful, dedicated, hardworking Schubert Club staff.
- What makes the Schubert Club mission meaningful to you?
Schubert Club’s threefold emphasis on concert presentation, museum, and education.
- What are some of the future goals you want to achieve as Schubert Club Board President?
I want to see Schubert Club continue to present top-quality performances at reasonable prices, introduce as many people as possible to the joys of chamber and recital music, diversify our audiences, present music by composers of diverse backgrounds, let the world know about our fabulous Museum, expand educational programs to help build the next generation of music lovers… I could go on and on with a lot more ideas!
- Do you have a history with classical music?
I was lucky to have parents who believed that a liberal, humanistic education is necessary to living an informed, rich life. A crucial part of this was exposure to the arts. They started taking us to Minnesota Orchestra concerts and Metropolitan Opera performances at Northrop Auditorium when we were in grade school. I sang in the church, school, and college choir, and studied piano, clarinet (school band), and classical guitar. Most recently I had the good fortune to study piano with Mary Barbara Ferguson Spake, daughter of Donald Ferguson. What a pleasure that was! All these experiences gave me a deep appreciation of music that informs my current position as a professional audience member.
- Have you served on any other boards in the Twin Cities?
I was on a Minnesota Opera junior board in the 1980s. In my professional arena, I was President of the University of Minnesota Medical School Alumni Society in the 1990s. The rest of my spare time has been spent working with the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Board of Ophthalmology.
- Which is your personal favorite of Schubert Club’s music series to attend?
I love them all. Some of my happiest hours have been spent in concert halls.
- What do you do outside of your work with Schubert Club? How do you most enjoy spending free time?
I am a physician, an ophthalmologist specializing in the treatment of glaucoma. I am spending a lot of time working on a committee at the medical school. Free time? What free time?
- In your opinion, why is classical music still important in today’s society?
Well, I agree with the Schubert Club tagline: “Because what is life without music.” All music can communicate directly with the soul without words or images. Classical music has a rich language, simply by listening you can understand it and be transported and transformed.