Subject: RE: Correction
Date: Tue, 23 Jul 2002 10:03:30 -0500
From: "Byrkit, David -FWDC.CON" [David.Byrkit@itt.com]
To: "'Chuck Teeter'" ;All

I think Harold's last name was spelled Plowe and he and his brother (or brothers) were from Eureka. The Plowes started the Peoria Academy of Music (or conservatory) which later became Bradley's music department. Bradley asked Plowe to direct the orchestra in 1897/98. The Orchestra board voted to get an "out of towner". I think this was for discipline. They felt that a hometown director (Huber and Szepsey) would not have the objectivity that an "out of towner" would have. Jerry Klein treats Rudolph Reiner rather well in the book. Apparently he was quite dedicated.


David C. Byrkit MCSE + I, MCT
ph. (260) 451-6219/(309) 637-1283
cell (309) 453-4663 e-mail david.byrkit@itt.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Chuck Teeter [mailto:cmt1@attbi.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 23, 2002 9:52 AM
To: 'Byrkit, David -FWDC.CON';
Subject: RE: Correction

Dave:

You've told me about that book, and I've asked my brother, who still lives in Peoria, to get me a copy. I learned, by the way, that Jerry Klein borrowed a number of old photo's, etc., from my step-mother when he was writing the book. Given that, I'm surprised that my family doesn't already have a copy of the book.

There was a period when Harold Plaugh (sp) was conductor of the orchestra, and my father took music lessons from him. In fact, Dad bought a cello from him. Anyway, when Plaugh died, the story is that Elmer Szepsey wanted to be named conductor of the orchestra. Instead, they selected Reiner (I think this is correct), who was part of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. I believe it was then that Elmer stopped playing in the PSO. I'm trying to remember the story as my father explained it to me, so it could be in error. In any event, it's a shame that Elmer didn't participate. On the upside, it's incredible that Cannon is still playing and active after all these years.

Chuck