Howard Hanson House

“Dr. Hanson WILL be in class today.”

Hanson House had a very special visitor Sept. 18. Fred Weiser of El Paso, Texas stopped by. He is originally from New York and attended the Eastman School of Music, graduating the same year Howard Hanson retired as director at Eastman.

Fred shared several memories. One was about him playing a clarinet solo in the orchestra while Hanson was conducting. It received praise from Hanson after the performance.

Another memory involved Hanson’s lectures and busy schedule. Fred recalled that at the start of the school year there would be a sign saying “Dr Hanson won’t be in class today.” Students would then know that Hanson was busy and a guest lecturer would be coming in. His schedule got so busy that by the end of the semester, it was just easier to put up a sign when “Dr Hanson will be in class.”

The Eastman graduate called Hanson a brilliant man who could instantly hear the music just by looking at a score.

Thank you Fred Weiser for the visit today and the great stories about Howard Hanson.