In December the School of Music and the Office of Alumni Relations hosted a musical tribute to longtime faculty members John and Mary Ann Covert, who retired last May. Featured performers at the concert were John Fairfield '76, horn professor at Northern Illinois University; Richard Graef '89, assistant principal horn of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra; Richard Menaul '76, a freelance performer with the Boston Opera Orchestra and the Handel and Haydn Society of Boston; Jon Menkis '81, assistant principal horn of the Boston Symphony Orchestra; and Gail Williams '73, associate principal horn of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
The concert also showcased the Ithaca College Horn Choir, conducted by assistant professor Bill Bernatis. In addition, John Covert played a duet with Williams and joined the five featured alumni in Kerkorian's Sextet. Mary Ann Covert provided the piano accompaniment for most of the pieces.
For the concert's grand finale about 45 returning alumni joined with the horn choir to perform works by Schubert and Bach. John Covert conducted the more than 60 musicians on stage.
"The Coverts have touched so many of our lives," said Stephen Kimmons '78, director of alumni relations and former student of John Covert. "This was our chance to get together as a group to say a collective 'thank you' to them."