| Salt Lake City |
 |
 |
| GER |
12 |
16 |
7 |
35 |
 |
| USA |
10 |
13 |
11 |
34 |
|
| NOR |
11 |
7 |
6 |
24 |
|
| CAN |
6 |
3 |
8 |
17 |
|
| RUS |
6 |
6 |
4 |
16 |
|
| AUT |
2 |
4 |
10 |
16 |
|
| ITA |
4 |
4 |
4 |
12 |
|
| FRA |
4 |
5 |
2 |
11 |
|
| SUI |
3 |
2 |
6 |
11 |
|
| NED |
3 |
5 |
0 |
8 |
|
|
|
|
Oly gift is music to schools
Supplier donating instruments used in '02 ceremonies
By Jennifer Toomer-Cook
Deseret News staff writer
SYRACUSE — Considering the cash Olympic memorabilia are fetching, Utah schoolchildren are about to receive a near-priceless gift.
An Arizona instrument supplier is giving Utah schools the string instruments played by the Utah Symphony in the opening and closing ceremonies.
The violins, violas, cellos and bass carry an interior sticker, "Made for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games." Some unwrapped Friday at the Davis School District warehouse still sparkled with confetti tossed at the Olympic party.
"I think it's delightful," Davis District music supervisor Richard Marsden said as he received a quintet for his schools. Now, he just has to figure out who gets what, though he says the new elementary probably could use a violin.
"For school districts in a budget crunch, it's tough to come up with money for instruments," he said. "We're happy for anything."
The Utah Symphony performed in the Winter Games ceremonies' subfreezing temperatures with thousands of other artists. But the musicians didn't want to put their own instruments through such harsh weather conditions, where the wood could buckle and strings slide out of tune.
"Most of the instruments symphony members have, if they're outside at all, they're in cases," said Steven Ireland, Utah Symphony associate marketing director.
The musicians received new instruments from Southwest Strings, based in Tucson, which they played over a recorded soundtrack.
After the performances, the company wanted to donate the 42 Klaus Mueller violin and viola, nine Hans Kroger cello, and eight Hans Kroger bass outfits to public school music programs in need. It turned to Logan freelance cellist, teacher and friend James McWhorter to make it happen.
The task is no easy one. Demand already has outpaced supply.
McWhorter has received as many as 60 responses since the State Office of Education alerted high schools to the offer. Some of the strings have gone to Lone Peak High School. Some might go to a budding Cache Valley school program McWhorter is starting for fourth- and fifth-graders.
"I'm apologizing in advance to everyone. I wish I could give them to each of you," McWhorter said.
The gift is worth around $45,000. But its value likely exceeds the sticker price.
Olympic memorabilia are a hot sell on the eBay Internet auction site. A coat worn by the Olympic spirit band last week was selling for $315. Salt Lake Organizing Committee volunteer uniforms are fetching upward of $400. A jersey signed by the gold medalist Canadian hockey team went for $4,000.
But Southwest Strings wants the goods to go not to rich bidders, but to kids who couldn't afford them.
"They're not given with any strings attached, pardon the expression," McWhorter said. "We're just spreading the Olympic spirit, if you will, with a little memento."
E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com
|
|
March 24, 2002
|
