Music Academy President and Board Hail Former Chairman
For Immediate Release April 27, 2007
Contact:
Tim Dougherty
805.695.7908
tdougherty@musicacademy.org
Santa Barbara, CA-Music Academy of the West Board Chairman James E. Davidson joined Academy President NancyBell Coe and current and former members of the Academy board at Birnam Wood Golf Club on April 26 to celebrate the contributions of John Burgee, who recently stepped down as board chairman.
Mr. Burgee was Academy board chairman in 2005 and 2006 after serving two years as first vice chair. As chairman of the board's Renaissance Plan Architecture Committee from 2003 to 2005, he played an integral role in the development of the Music Academy's renovation plan and in the refurbishment of the Wood II building on the Academy's Santa Barbara campus. Since renamed Lehrer Studios in the Wood Building, the facility features 16 acoustically designed practice studios, remodeled restrooms and shower rooms with individual beach lockers for student use. Mr. Burgee remains an active member of the Academy board.
"John's leadership on our renovation project was absolutely invaluable. The same could be said of his leadership on the board generally. We've come to appreciate his steadiness, focus, and common sense in tackling complex challenges. His tenure as chairman was an especially productive period for the Music Academy Board," said Ms. Coe.
A 1956 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Mr. Burgee was a highly regarded architect prior to his retirement. In 1968 he partnered with Philip Johnson to produce architecture at the forefront of building design. Their distinctive designs for the IDS Center in Minneapolis, the Pennzoil Place in Houston, and the AT&T World Headquarters in New York came to be viewed as landmarks of contemporary architecture. Mr. Burgee's numerous honors include the Reynolds Prize in Architecture and the Orlando T. Maione Award for distinguished contributions to the School of Architecture at Notre Dame.
Founded in 1947, the Music Academy of the West is among the nation's preeminent summer schools and festivals for gifted young classical musicians. The Academy provides these promising musicians with the opportunity for advanced study and performance under the guidance of internationally renowned faculty artists, as well as guest conductors and soloists. Admission to the Academy is strictly merit based, and students receive full scholarships. Academy alumni are members of major symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, ensembles, opera companies and university and conservatory faculties throughout the world. Many have established themselves as prominent solo artists. Based in Santa Barbara, the Music Academy of the West presents more than 175 public events annually, including student recitals, masterclasses, orchestra and chamber music concerts, and fully staged opera. For more information, visit www.musicacademy.org.
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