USD Magazine, Summer-Fall 1993

HENRY KOLAR Professor of Music Years at USD: 35

When Henry Kolar's father introduced him to the violin at the tender age of 5, the elder Kolar, a violin teacher, unintentional– ly set the course of his son 's life. From that point on, Kolar remembers with a smile, his entire world centered around music. "I've been blessed in that I have been able to do what I love for a living," the music profes– sor explains. "When I go home, my life in music doesn't stop. There's no separation." Kolar decided early to combine his love of music with his interest in children, and began teaching instrumental music at the elementary school level shortly after earning his master's at Northwestern University. In 1949, his contacts in the music world brought him to San Diego, teaching at Ramona High School for one year before moving on to El Paso, Texas. A strong string program was being developed in El Paso, and during his two-year stay he performed with the El Paso Symphony, was first violinist in the El Paso String Quartet, and was concertmaster of the newly formed El Paso Symphonette. In 1952, Kolar returned to San Diego as a teacher first in the San Diego Unified School Dis– trict, then at Mesa College and, finally, at the San Diego Col– lege for Women. Although the college didn't have an instrumental music program at the time, Kolar says meeting Mother Aimee Rossi convinced him to sign on as an initial architect of the depart– ment. "Mother Rossi was a little dynamo," Kolar says, laugh– ing. "She had such vision and energy. She felt strongly that music was an integral part of a student's education." While Kolar worked to create an orchestra at USD, he remained active in the San Diego music community, serving as concertmaster for the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and con– ductor of the San Diego Youth Symphony and the La Jolla Civic Orchestra. Kolar also played in the orchestra for numerous ballets, operas and theatrical productions. Although performing for a musical seems glamorous, the violinist jokingly admits, "Sometimes, life in the orchestra pit could really be the pits!" Kolar goes on to explain that, for plays, musicians are fre– quently called to perform unfamiliar music with insufficient preparation time. "That could get a little frustrating because when you perform, of course, you want to be at your best."

Giving your best in all you do is a philosophy the white– haired Kolar attempts to follow. "I believe you should also give of yourself 100 percent, professionally and personally, " he says. It was the desire to give his best that drove Kolar, along with colleague Marjorie Hart, to create a viable music depart– ment with limited funds and students. "It was a bit frustrating because we couldn't really attract the serious music majors- we barely had a department, much less a school of music," he says. "In addition, San Diego is a tough city for the arts. There are so many other things to do, it's hard to catch people's attention and convince them that they might just enjoy classical music." But exposing students to classical music, and watching their appreciation grow, was the joy of teaching for Kolar. "I found that very satisfying-turning kids on to the symphony and opening their eyes to the beauty of the music." Kolar also sees classical music as a way to bridge the age gap between generations. " In the USD Orchestra, we had stu– dents, community members and employees of all different ages. That age difference goes away when you're caught up playing Beethoven or Brahms. The music transcends time." In addition to playing with the Alcala Trio and teaching, Kolar is also a composer and director. He has had several com– positions published, and one was performed by the San Diego Symphony. "It's really hard work to get a composition pub– lished," Kolar admits. "But there's great satisfaction when you hear your music being played by an orchestra." Kolar is particularly proud of the educational pieces he's written that are used in schools across the country. "I was at a convention in Chicago and met a teacher from Alabama who was using my work in his class. That is gratifying, to actually meet someone who has used your work successfully." Kolar's retirement plans include devoting more time to composing and playing. "While I was teaching, I didn't have the time to keep my playing up to the level I'd like to main– tain. I would like to do some recitals on campus as soon as I attain my goals and put some interesting programs together." In addition to playing and composing, Kolar hopes to spend more time with his family, which includes eight grandchildren. He won't be a stranger to Alcala Park, either. "I've always wanted to brush up on my Spanish and German, so you just might see me up here taking a language class."

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