Concert to Benefit the Spokane Symphony Endowment Fund

Sep 20, 2006

For Immediate Release

Contact: Amanda Livingston 326-3136

Violinist Julie Ayer will perform a benefit Concert for the Ayer-Blegen Endowed Chair Fund of the Spokane Symphony Endowment on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2006, at 5 pm at McNally Recital Hall at Holy Names Music Center, 3910 W. Custer Drive. She will be accompanied by pianist Greg Presley. The one-hour concert will be followed by a wine and cheese reception in the foyer.

Ayer is assistant principal second violinist with the Minnesota Orchestra, Minneapolis. She grew up in Spokane in a family of violinists. Her mother, Evelyn Ayer, played fourth Chair of the first violins for the Spokane Symphony for 40 years, retiring in 1985.

Julie's sister, Jane Blegen, a beloved violin teacher, played for 27 years in the Spokane Symphony. Except for the time when both Jane and Evelyn played in the orchestra together, mother and daughter both occupied the fourth chair in the first violin section.

When Jane passed away in the Spring 2002, Concertmaster Kelly Farris and retired Development Director Catherine Rafferty spearheaded a grassroots effort to endow the Fourth Chair of the first violins in memory of Evelyn Ayer and Jane Blegen. To date, 134 donors have contributed to the fund, which at this time is not completely funded. The fund helps pay the salary and benefits of the violinist who sits in the fourth chair of the first violin section.

Tickets for the benefit concert are $20 and can be purchased through the Spokane Symphony Box office at 624-1200 and at the door. Additional contributions are also encouraged. All proceeds will go to the Ayer-Blegen Endowed Chair Fund of the Spokane Symphony Endowment.

Julie Ayer is in Spokane to perform with the Spokane String Quartet on Sunday, Oct. 8 at 3 p.m. at the Metropolitan Performing Arts Center.

For tickets, call the Spokane Symphony at 624-1200.