The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.1964, Page 39

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
37
School in 1937, then worked for one
year in the Security Bank in San- Diego.
The following summer when he was
18 years old he played second clarinet
in the San Diego Symphony Orchestra.
From 1939 on he has been a steady
member of that organization and as-
sociated with the First Chair.
In 1939-40-41 Dan attended -the San
Diego State College majoring in music,
during which time he discontinued
lessons with Kuehne and outside play-
ing. At that time San Diego Symphony
Orchestra operated only i-n the summer
time. This was profitable for Dan as
he was able to remain with it since
production time was between school
sessions. He also gave private lessons
while at State College and received
scholarships. He did not graduate. He
was married December 19, 1941.
At this -time Dr. Nikolai Sokoloff
who -was founder of Cleveland Sym-
phony Orchestra was the conductor
of San Diego Orchestra. Dr. Sokoloff
suggested to Dan that he go to Julliard
School of Music in New York for an
auditioning. Dr. Sokoloff wrote a letter
of recommendation to the school. Dan
didn’t want to go. His reactions were
negative. He had misgivings about be-
ing able to qualify and besides he
didn’t have the fare.
Well, both sides of the family got
together (his and his wife’s) and pooled
the necessary funds—so off he went in
September 1942 and was accepted. He
received a Jul-liard Graduate Fellow-
ship as full-time student. At that time
Julliard admitted students only on a
scholarship and fellowship basis.
He stayed one semester and then was
inducted into the army where he re-
mained for three years. All service
years were spent in the Southern
States—Virginia, Georgia, Louisiana
and Texas. He was discharged Dec.
1945 and returned to Julliard Sept.
1946. He graduated from there June
1948. During his term at Julliard he
played in orchestra and quintette made
up of students of the school. He also
worked part-time at New York City
Public Library branch.
Dan’s teacher at Julliard was Dr.
Arthur Christmann.
After graduating in 1948 Dan ac-
cepted a teaching position at Los
Angeles Conservatory of Music where
he taught clarinet and chamber music
until 1950. Simultaniously he attended
the University of Southern California
'to attain his Bachelor of Music -teach-
ing credentials 1948-1950. He now has
his Master of Music degree and is tak-
ing all units required for the Doctor-
ate degree.
In 1950 Dan -was engaged by the city
schools in San Diego. Fie taught in
High School for four years, but he
prefers elementary school work be-
cause it is less -consuming and allows
time for symphony, chamber music,
private teaching and other musical
activities.
A year ago last spring (1963) Dan
was soloist with the San Diego Sym-
phony Orchestra (which consists of
80 to 90 members) when he played -the
Premiere Rjhapsodia by Claude De-
bussy.
In the summer time lie plays with
the Starlight Opera Company Or-
chestra (Light Opera) for 10 weeks
in -the Balboa Park Bowl (an outdoor
theatre and concert area provided by
rolling hills forming a bowl that func-
tions with sunny or starlit skies as an
ideal and romantic setting for the
Muses of the Arts.
We were -told by a member of the
family 'that at one time a renowned
guest conductor rehearsing with San
Diego Symphony, stopped the or-
chestra after a difficult clarinet solo
passage, to tell Dan in effect that he