Concert celebrates Fred Turner's $1 million gift to Drake jazz program

11/21/2008

Drake President David Maxwell, Andrew Classen and Fred Turner at the inaugural Fred and Patty Turner Concert.

Drake University celebrated a $1 million gift to the University's jazz program this week with a concert dedicated to Drake alumnus Fred Turner, retired senior chairman of McDonald's Corp., and his late wife, Patty, a Drake alumna.

Turner's contribution provides an endowment for a professorship in jazz studies. At the start of Tuesday's performance, Drake professor Andrew Classen was recognized as the inaugural holder of the Fred and Patty Turner Professorship in Jazz.

The free concert, which featured Jazz Ensemble I, was the first annual Fred and Patty Turner Concert at Drake. View the online gallery of photos from the concert and the reception that followed.

Drake President David Maxwell and College of Arts and Sciences Dean Joe Lenz expressed the University's appreciation for Turner's generous gift.

Andrew Bobka, a trombonist in Jazz Ensemble I, also thanked Turner for his support. He said Turner's gift "attests to the fact that all of our hard work and countless hours of rehearsals are appreciated and respected."

Concert featured Classen's new composition

President Maxwell and Jazz I play a tribute to Fred Turner.

Jazz I, under Classen's direction, performed a wide array of works, including "A Count Ability," a new composition Classen wrote in the style of Count Basie.

Fred Turner described his late wife, Patty, as "the love of my life."

"Patty loved music as much as I do. She sang and played the piano, guitar and ukulele. And our girls -- Patty Sue, Teri and Paula -- know she would be pleased by this gift because giving back is a value we shared."

Two of Turner's daughters, Patty Sue Rhea and Teri Turner, attended the concert along with many other family members and friends. Four members of Patty Turner's ukulele band -- The Ukuladies -- traveled to Des Moines for the performance.

Fred Turner attended Drake from 1951 to 1953 and received an honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University in 1983. He also served on the University's Board of Trustees and was awarded the Distinguished Service Award, Drake's top honor for alumni.

Turner enjoyed a long and distinguished career with McDonald's Corp. He was one of the company's first employees and later served as operations vice president, executive vice president, president, chief administrative officer and chairman and CEO. He also was a member and CEO of McDonald's Board of Directors.

Fred Turner gathers with family members.

In his remarks at the concert, Turner described his love of jazz and drew some comparisons between the unique American art form and the business world.

"Jazz," he said, "incorporates improv, innovation, creativity and spontaneity -- all based upon the discipline of basic musical harmony -- principles that are similar to those in business, including McDonald's.

"McDonald's is known for its disciplined consistency, yet the company has grown, adapted and expanded through innovation and creativity. And like the best examples of jazz, we are always familiar yet always different."

He concluded by saying, "I am delighted to have the opportunity to support the future generations of musicians who will keep this art form alive. Creating a jazz professorship at my alma mater is a perfect fit. This is my own way of making sure the music plays on."

Professorship honors Classen's achievements, commitment to jazz

The new professorship recognizes the talents and achievements of Classen, professor of trumpet and director of jazz studies, and his commitment to promote and preserve jazz at Drake and within the music industry. The gift will provide resources for Classen to build on the University's jazz legacy and ensure students have opportunities to work with the nation's finest teachers and musicians.

"As long as I have been at Drake, there has been an exceptional level of support for music, and jazz in particular," Classen said. "With the generous gift from Fred Turner, we now have the ability to take the Drake jazz program to even greater heights."

Andrew Classen plays the trumpet while directing the band.

Classen, who joined Drake in 1992, chairs the Music Department. He is principal trumpet with the Cedar Rapids Symphony, has played with numerous Broadway shows and is an active jazz composer.

He is a frequent clinician and guest artist for recitals, master classes and seminars on the regional, national and international level. He also has been a drill designer and instructor for many drum corps and marching bands.

A native of St. Paul, Minn., Classen received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire and a Master of Music in trumpet performance from the University of Tennessee.

Under Classen's leadership, Jazz I has received top ratings and performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland and the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.

Jazz I to release new CD at Swingin' Holiday Spectacular

The ensemble will release its first Christmas CD at a Swingin' Holiday Spectacular benefit concert at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, in the Performing Arts Hall, Harmon Fine Arts Center, 25th Street and Carpenter Avenue. The concert will feature guest artists Wicker Van Orsdel and Fred Gazzo.

The benefit concert will help support the jazz ensemble's 2009 European summer tour that will include performances in London, Paris and at the North Sea Jazz Festival. Tickets, which are $25, are available through the Drake Fine Arts Box Office at 515-271-3841.