Let the Music Play: A Tribute Concert for Dr. Arthur Harry Alexander

Dr. Arthur Harry Alexander was so inspired by his love for classical music that when the dedicated optometrist wasn’t fitting veterans with eye glasses, he was selecting, practicing, and, finally, performing in local concerts. This self-taught bassist used his gifts to connect with audiences through his music.

“Music was close to his heart. Playing with the Abington Symphony Orchestra and then putting together a string orchestra brought him such joy,” shared recent widow Elaine Alexander, Ed.D. “This memorial concert is one way of celebrating the many contributions that Art made to this community.”

So it is only fitting that we commemorate Dr. Alexander’s life on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at 3PM for a magical mid-afternoon of Mozart.

He was a devoted musician whose passion for performance has virtually transformed the Delaware Valley, who performed with the Abington Symphony Orchestra for many years before co-founding the Abington Festival Strings (AFS).

The AFS will return to the same venue where the orchestra gave its first public concert, the Elkins Park Train Station, where the members will perform “Almost Mostly Mozart: A Sunday Serenade.”

The AFS concert, loosely modeled after the New York City’s classic “Mostly Mozart Festival,” will include two movements from one of Dr. Alexander’s absolute favorite pieces entitled Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings, read and played the first time AFS met.

Four years ago, because two local bassists from the Abington Symphony Orchestra, Stephanie Patterson, a former member of the Richmond Symphony, and Dr. Arthur Alexander, a VA optometrist, co-founded AFS because they longed to continue playing during their orchestra’s summer break.

Bass player Patterson became good friends with Alexander over the four years that he chauffeured her back and forth to rehearsals and concerts. One night while he was driving Patterson home, they discussed starting a string players group.

Well, 18 string instrument players showed up for the first get together. “By the time the evening was over, when we were driving home, we just looked at each other and said, ‘Wow!’ I said, “Art, I am going to tell you right now, this is going to take on a life of its own.”

“I remember his absolute delight in playing chamber music. Art was so excited he would say, ‘Oh, I love that Tchaikovsky!’” recalled Patterson.

They now have a core group of 25 string instrument players who meet every other week during the summer for five weeks, attracting musicians from as far away as South Philadelphia, NJ, and Bucks County. They perform all over the Delaware Valley. The Music Director of the Abington Symphony Orchestra, John Sall, is donating his time to conduct this very special tribute concert.

Proceeds from the concert will be split between two non-profit organizations: AFS which is part of Music at Abington at the Abington Presbyterian Church (a comprehensive program that includes the Abington Symphony Orchestra, Oratorio Choir, and a busy chamber music series) and Elkins Central, the grassroots initiative launched by volunteers. This was done with help from the Cheltenham Township Community Development Corporation to preserve and reclaim this historic train station while providing a venue for concerts, events, and classes in partnership with the Cheltenham Center for the Arts.

“It’s amazing! We have become a family,” said Patterson. “Everybody cares about everybody else. People have fallen into various roles very naturally. Nobody fought for anything. It just evolved on its own. We let the music do the talking. Although playing without a conductor can be challenging, we rely on each other by counting, listening, watching, and communicating as equals,” explained Patterson.

Although deeply saddened by the loss of a dear friend after his bout with cancer, the AFS will continue to let the music play, so the group will return to where they gave their first concert.

“We want the Abington Festival Strings to continue because we love playing together. What a great way to honor Art’s legacy!” said Patterson.