"There is plenty to read these days about attracting new talent to our area, or about how local businesses can entice UK, Transylvania University or Centre College graduates to stick around, not to mention the praises we sing to the returnees. But what about those individuals in our community who have remained committed for the duration, bound to an undying and optimistic belief in what Lexington has been, is now, and what it can become?
Charlie Stone must have been considering this very thought when he invited Dr. Franklin and Marilyn Moosnick to be the honorary chairmen for this summer's inaugural UBS Chamber Music Festival. "Just look at their bios," he said, "and you will see why I selected them!"
Their roots run so deep it's impossible to summarize, so here are a few highlights. Marilyn Moosnick studied journalism at the University of Kentucky, which led to a professional career as a reporter for the Lexington Herald Leader and a talk show host for WLEX-TV. She helped found the Lexington Ballet Company, Lexington Arts and Cultural Council (now LexArts) and the Lexington Opera Society. She has held positions on the board of directors for Lexington Children's Theatre, the Living Arts and Science Center and, in 1996, received the Hudson Milner Award for a lifetime of commitment to the arts.
Dr. Franklin Moosnick graduated magna cum laude from Transylvania University in 1936, attended graduate school at the University of Kentucky and earned his medical degree from the college of medicine at the University of Cincinnati. He is past president of the Lexington Rotary Club, as well as founding incorporator and past president of the Fayette County Medical Foundation. He has remained active in the Fayette County Chapter of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis/March of Dimes, the Lexington-Fayette County Government Emergency Medical Services Committee, and the Lexington Speech and Hearing Center. He is also the recipient of the Optimistic Club award for community service.
Considering all of the contributions that the Moosnicks have made to our community, one thing is resoundingly clear: bringing this community together has always been their aim, and they are excited about how the inaugural UBS Chamber Music Festival is doing just that. They are especially thrilled with Charlie Stone and his vision, the support of LexArts, the talented musicians, the commitment of the board members, and the involvement of local area businesses.
"The people on the board, for those of us who have hung out with boards for a long, long time their commitment has just been so exciting. At each of the meetings, everybody had done their homework, they've all done what they were charged to do the previous meeting and everything has just been moving along at an unusual pace," stated Dr. Moosnick.
"It has also really been very gratifying to see the types of organizations that have been rallying around to support the festival: UBS, Fasig-Tipton and Highbridge Spring Water," he continued.
"I can see that the businesses that we've approached have really been enthusiastic about this festival, particularly when you think about Fasig-Tipton making their brand-new, beautifully renovated quarters, the entire building, available to us — to just turn it over to the Chamber Music Festival and just let it fly. Well, that's pretty terrific," stated Mrs. Moosnick.
During our formal interview, the Moosnicks' focus remained outward, never really responding to praise, but redirecting the conversations to just what this festival means for local businesses and our community overall.
"I know that it's factual, and it's been proven over and over again that things of this sort in the arts — a Chamber of Music Festival; a really good philharmonic, which we have; the wonderful visual arts in all of Central Kentucky — those things bring people here. They bring people to stay because they realize that they don't have to be in a large city to come and settle. They can accept a job offer that they get in Lexington or nearby towns around because they're going to have really wonderful things happening in their lives and in their children's lives," stated Mrs. Moosnick.
At the end of our interview, one last collaboration emerged, something that, in Marilyn's words, "is pretty terrific." Charles Jolly has created a painting that will be used as a promotional image for the festival, titled "Tethered Message." And although Jolly's artistic statement references the music that inspired his painting, I could not help but see, very clearly, a similar bond between these honorary chairmen and the place they call home.
Two elements seemed clear, one grounded and one tethered.
One gives a diffuse warmth and undercurrent, the tow of water running deep, while the other gives color and voice, the variability of sky.
One is sure, certain and directional; the other, naive, bright and darting.
One washes as waves and layers of sound.
The other acts as vectors and intersections of sound.
Each returns to the other for its energy, and while they refer to a wonderful otherness, they are contained, self-deferential and sufficient to the chamber.
As we return our gratitude to Dr. Franklin and Marilyn Moosnick, let us never forget that they will always return to us.
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